2007 Edition of: My Secret Santa Sent Me... (only received gifts)
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Please note - I have removed all old placeholders from this list. Please only use this list to record the receipt of games actually received from your Santa.
Only use placeholders to let your Santa know you received your package but are waiting to open it. When you actually open the package, please update the entry with the game(s) you received and express your reaction for your Santa. Please let me know if you experience any problems with this via GeekMail. Sorry for any confusion...now on to the list:
Since we just got our Secret Santa Targets assigned --
Last year's episode of "Look what my Secret Santa sent me..." was well received, so I am creating the same list again for 2007.
I originally posted this as a way to let my Santa know when I receive my gift without him/her worrying about letting me know who (s)he is. Use this as a central area to record what our Secret Santas sent us. If you plan on using this list, you may want to make a note on your profile so your Secret Santa knows to look on the list for your receipt and reaction.
That way your Secret Santa can look to see if you received your gift and you can post any comments you may have about the gift here and you can reply without the identity of your Secret Santa ever having to be divulged!
If your Santa sends you more than one item, just list them all in one listing unless you think it makes more sense to list them separately. Remember to include any comments you want your Secret Santa to know!
I don't know about anyone else, but I generally obsess about whether a package has arrived at it's intended destination. I drive my wife crazy with checking tracking numbers constantly! So it will be nice to see when those gifts are actually received by the giftee (or are they just sitting unclaimed on the neighbor's porch?)
(I am just using a generic Christmas first item as a placeholder for mine until my gift arrives, at which time I will update it with the real gift). In case you were wondering - yes, I do have a probably unfounded fondness for this holiday.
Now for the big question - do you open the gift or allow it to taunt you from under the tree until your local Christmas/Holiday gift opening?
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Tim Rourke
United Kingdom
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
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MY PRESENT HAS ARRIVED
Thanks Santa, whoever you are.
This evening I went to my usual game night at Shire Games in Stoke on trent and Nick handed me 2 lovely game shaped parcels. Am I the first.
I'm leaving them wrapped for the moment, it's not even advent yet.
Hopefully I'll leave them till Christmas (Or the next time I am fed up)
Thanks again
Tim
Sorry Santa, I was feeling fed up and caved in.
Really happy that I did though.
Notre Dame and Felix were both games that I have played and immediately wanted (I only played Cat in the Sack last week)
Looking forward to playing them really soon
Tim
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John Kennard
United Kingdom
Bradford
West Yorkshire
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Dear Santa,
My game has arrived!
Smokin' Snowflakes, Santa! Those reindeer must be on steroids this year! Or did that Green Knight that helped them just keep prodding his lance in the end without the red shiny bit?
I promise not to unwrap it until at least 00:05 am GMT on 25th December. This is partially because I'm a Good Boy and partially because I've still not played all the games I brought back from Essen, so another one will just make deciding which one to play next even harder.
So thank you for my first pressie of Yule 2007. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be excellent (after all, it was chosen from such a tasteful list  ).
R. Hippo.
[Edit: Who could think of a more perfect game for Christmas? It's just so... damned... SILLY! I Love it!
Santa, I really do appreciate this, especially as I know you've had to pay twice as much for it as you or I would have had the US Dollar not been so beleaguered. Thank you. Very much. ]
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Adam Tracey
England
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
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IT'S HERE - AND OPENED!
I'm clearly not as patient as the previous posters. And when I say "it" I mean "they" - my Santa has been incredibly generous: two beautifully giftwrapped games and a personalised message. This unexpectedly early arrival has really ignited the Christmas spirit for me and my family. Not only have I opened his gifts early, but I fully intend to play both as much as possible in the lead up to the holidays and will be leaving the "Santa Geek" labels in the boxes to remind me of Santa's generosity.
I received this - my top new game of 2007 - and ..
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Adam Tracey
England
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
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... this, which has been on my wishlist for a long time.
Santa - heartfelt thanks for your generosity and best wishes to you, also, for a great holiday season.
Adam
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5.
Board Game: Taluva
[Average Rating:7.14 Overall Rank:242]
Ricardo Madeira
Portugal
Porto Salvo
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Wow! Christmas is more than a month away, and I already got my gifts: two games, Taluva and Hive. They came in a big box from www.planetongames.com, a Spanish shop I have only heard good things about. They seem to have arrived in record time, too; my Santa sent me an anonymous message saying the package was on its way Wednesday night, and it arrived Friday morning.
Taluva is a game I'd been wanting to buy a copy for myself for more than a year now, ever since my friend brought a copy from last year's Essen for the enjoyment of people who come to play at our FLGS.
Hive is another game that has long been on wishlist... I was looking for the edition with bakelite playing pieces, which I think was unavailable at my usual webshops the time, so I never did end up getting it. I never played it, but I just know my wife and me will have a blast with it.
Thank you, Secret Santa!
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Greg Williams
United States
Portland
Oregon
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I didn't wait to open my unexpected Funagain order and I'm glad I didn't, I was about to buy this. Thank you Secret Santa! Also, thank you for Oltre Mare!
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7.
Board Game: Hive
[Average Rating:7.37 Overall Rank:111]
Tracy Lauricella
United States
Lakewood
Washington
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Thank you Santa!
First off, let me admit that yes, I did not wait until Chrismas to open my package. Many of my family members look at my BGG wishlist for their holiday shopping, and I wanted to make sure it was up to date to avoid duplication. Plus I'm hopfully trading in the Festivus math trade, and I want to avoid duplication there too.
That said, the timing and arrival of the package was perfect. I have been playing Hive online for a while, and really wanting to get one of the new bakelite sets. I almost traded for a game of Hive in the Thanksgiving math trade, but I decided against it, since I didn't want to get the older wood version.
This morning I printed out some images that someone posted on the Hive BGG entry of some tiles with movement references shown on the tiles themselves. These are intended to help new players understand how the pieces work. I wanted to glue them on some magnetic sheets to bring to work on Monday and stick on my whiteboard. I figure that I can keep a game ongoing on my whiteboard, and whenever someone stops by my office they can make a move.  With the movement indicators on the tiles, it will be easy to indoctrinate educate new players on the game.
Anyway, I was in the process of gluing these images to the magnetic sheet, when Santa's helper arrived in the form of a Fed Ex delivery person.
Lo and behold, there was the game I'd been drooling over! The new hive with bakelite tiles. Now I can bring the magnetic homemade ones to work to stick on my whiteboard, and also have the "real" ones to play regular games at home or out & about. (the bakelite tiles are nice and heavy- they feel great to mess around with.) Also included was something nifty, not on my wishlist, Monkeys on the Moon. It looks like a fun game, and I can't wait to try it out. Getting an unexpected bonus is always exciting, as is getting a game I've never played before!
I just took a picture of the "homemade" magnetic hive tiles I made for my whiteboard, alongside the original bakelite ones that just arrived from Santa. (see the image on this list entry.)
Thanks so much Santa! These will see many many hours of fun use.
--TMIB
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Steve Kearon
United Kingdom
Cardiff
Feeling great. How about you?
The once and future game
The once and future game
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Bing-bong goes the doorbell.
Rats! There goes our Saturday lie-in, though it was 8:40.
The postman's brought a parcel. For me! All wrapped up in shiny paper, inviting me to leave it until December 25th. It didn't stand a chance - receiving it this early is some sort of cosmic balancing mechanism after waiting until early January for last year's secret santa present to arrive (no fault of Santa - the parcel just seemed to get stuck in New Jersey). Well, that's my excuse.
Many thanks, Santa!
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Jack H.
United Kingdom
Rochester
Kent
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... and expansion.
Thank you secret santa! Colretto is my fiance's favourite game so this was well received by all! Most played game this Christmas with my family, even beating Apples to Apples. Thanks again!
Jack
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James Cheevers
United Kingdom
Liverpool
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I received mine this morning. Two games nicely wrapped by Shire Games.
I've tried matching the size and shape to my wishlist and while I have an idea what they could be there are a couple of possible alternatives.
Many thanks Secret Santa!!! I hope your gifts make you as happy as me.
James
[Update]
I received 'Citadels' (w/ Dark City expansion) & 'Jericho'. I'm looking forward to many plays of both!!
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Graeme Jahns
Canada
Burnaby
British Columbia
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Well, I guess my Secret Santa wasn't quite the fastest, but still really darn fast!
I'm just glad I got my shipment away before my gift arrived or I would have felt really bad!
So what do I find in my box from Starlit Citadel, but TWO games. Both gift wrapped! Inside was both Puerto Rico AND Fairy Tale. Exciting times! Yeah I caved. I'm weak.
Thank you very much Secret Santa, you're awesome!
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ImperialMy parcel has arrived!! It would be opened and displayed for all to marvel... but my girlfriend caught me opening the box, and declared the giftwrapped treasure inside off limits until the 25th.
Thanks Santa!!
UPDATE: Sa-weet!! One of my favourite games this year, sure to hit the table on a regular basis!! Christmas was awesome this year and Imperial led the way for games.
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hugo mocc
United Kingdom
Leeds
United Kingdom
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I may be out of my depth here, but I'm guessing this (FF) is my Secret Santa's Secret Pressie.
THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!
I haven't opened it yet - My wife is adamant it'll have to go under the tree.
The way I figured it out, well, I'll let you figure that out yourself Santa.
By the way, did I say THANKS A LOT SECRET SANTA!!! ? No? OK.
Thank you so very much for the nice gift sent so promptly, nicely wrapped (good work from the guys at Green Knight) and all.
I wish you a Very Happy Christmas, and may your Secret Santa be as swift and generous as you were.
Many thanks!
H.
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14.
Board Game: Jambo
[Average Rating:7.15 Overall Rank:222]
Stefan Engblom
Finland
Espoo
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Dear Santa!
Your package arrived a couple of days ago. The man who brought it to my door didn't look like one of your elves but I guess he was in disguise. A nice man nevertheless - he's carried games to my door before.
I haven't opened the package yet but based on my wishlist and the form of the package it is almost certainly Jambo and its expansion. It was really nicely giftwrapped by the elves at Shire games. Although it was on my wishlist the choice was a pleasant surprise and I'm sure I'll love the game. I'm really looking forward to punching it and testing it with my dear friend during Christmas. Thank you very much Santa and have a gamerich Christmas and New Year!
Regards,
Stefu
PS. In your private mail you told that you're from the States but we both know Santa's real home is Finland. It was a nice try but I'm not falling for it. And I don't wanna hear anything about that North Pole thingy! I can understand flying reindeer but living in the North Pole is just too much.
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ɹǝpun uʍop ʞǝǝƃ
Australia
Adelaide
SA
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Hmm... a package just arrived from New Zealand signed K. Kringle. I'd better get the missus to open it to check!
NZ, eh? that narrows it down to 1 of 5... Thank you, SS -- I will find you!
EDIT 071207: Well, hellooo... what do we have here? I just received a second package! Over from Unhalfbricking in Victoria (damn it's wrapped!).
Thank you, Santa -- You're very kind.
I will take your advice and ply the missus with a bottle of wine as now it seems like the first package is a clue.
EDIT 071227: Citadels and Hanafuda -- I'll have to learn how to play that one!
Thank you again, Santa
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Elke M
Belgium
Lier
Antwerp
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Wow, didn't expect it that fast!
Thank you Secret Santa from Indiana, USA! You made my day!
and I got another little surprise...
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Elke M
Belgium
Lier
Antwerp
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didn't know it existed, but I'm sure happy with this little expansion.
 Happy Holidays Santa!
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18.
Board Game: Brass
[Average Rating:8.08 Overall Rank:8]
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Woaaaaaaaaw
Santa is very fast this year. I just received my gift.
My #3 on my wishlist. Thanks a lot Santa. I am very very happy..
I will send mine very soon. So another BGGeek will be as happy as me.
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~Ryan McSwain
United States
Amarillo
Texas
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I couldn't believe how fast my Secret Santa gift arrived! Three gift-wrapped parcels: one small and card-game shaped, one shaped a little like a card game but not, and one big 'un.
I told my wife I was going to try and wait until Christmas, but she seemed to question my sincerity. I ended up giving in and opening the card-game shaped one and found:
My group loves Adlung-Spiele's Die Kutschfahrt, so hopefully this will go over as well in a smaller crowd!
Hours passed, and I gave in again on the weird package:
This was the last game I expected to receive and a weird and welcome surprise! It even has little clay skulls (the weird part of the wrapped gift), which I didn't even know came with the game. I think they may be an extra bit of awesome from Secret Santa.
Thanks so much! I'm going to try and wait on the big box, but no promises! I may end up opening it at my group's last game night before Christmas.
Okay, I caved when my wife explained no one else would have fun watching me open my game at game night. I don't know what's up with that , but was THRILLED to see Thurn & Taxis under the paper! I've been dying to get a another great game that I could play with my wife or with another couple, and this fits the bill perfectly! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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Mulan Wong
Taiwan
Zhonghe District
New Taipei City
The mushroom of course.
One side of what?
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When I got home this afternoon, I was handed a large parcel from the courier, I was very eager to open it up as I was expecting a game I purchased. But half way into opening the box, I was greatly surprised to find that it was labelled as a "BGG Secret Santa Gift." I opened it and there it was, a nicely gift-wrapped game--and virtually a whole month before Christmas. I hope I can wait till Christmas to open it but I have my suspecions about what it might be becuase of the size-- must... resist temptation.
A Great big THANK YOU to my Secret Santa, whoever you are, and I wish you the Merriest of Christmas & A Wonderful New Year.
Update: It's Arkadia! A game I have been wanting to get for a while now. One of the highest on my wishlist! Thanks SS!!
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Pat Wells
United States
Lemon Grove
California
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IT HAS ARRIVED !
I had made a vow that when my Secret Santa package arrived I would wait until Dec 24th at least. The package arrived the day before my birthday and my wife opened it thinking it was the package she was expecting that was my present from her. Imagine HER confusion.  I had not told her about the Secret Santa exchange yet.
I WILL wait to crack the seal until Xmas
Thanks Santa. You are the MAN!
I FINALLY opened and played this little gem. LOVE IT! Thanks again Secret Santa!!!!
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22.
Board Game: Zendo
[Average Rating:7.31 Overall Rank:282]
zʇıʍodɹɐʞ uɐp
United States
Lynnwood
Washington
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Thank you Santa!!!
Since Zendo is out of print Santa hooked me up with:
- 5x Treehouse sets
- Zendo cards
- The book "Playing with Pyramids"
- Green/white/black counters
That is a lot of games in one package. Thanks!!!
Sorry I couldn't wait until Christmas. Here's why:
Excuse #1 - My 2 1/2 year old has decided to stop taking naps, so I've used up all my patience on the inevitable breakdowns that occur every night.
Excuse #2 - The FedEx box was completely destroyed. I definitely needed to inspect the contents for damage.
Excuse #3 - Who can resist cracking open a new game?
Thanks again,
Dan
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24.
Board Game: ZÈRTZ
[Average Rating:7.37 Overall Rank:183]
Chris Bailey
United States
Broomfield
Colorado
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THANKS SECRET SANTA!!!!!!
I had a very good year. I was heading over to TimeWellSpent at lunch today to pick up a copy of Yinsh that I had bought myself. I have Dvonn and bought Tamsk at BGG.CON so I figured I would get the rest. Anyway, I get an email on my blackberry saying I had stuff from my Secret Santa waiting at TimeWellSpent. This is what was waiting for me:
Zertz
Punct
Carcassonne: The Tower
Carcassone: The Princess and the Dragon
Carcassonne: The Count of Carcassonne
SCORE!!!! My Gipf series is practically complete and these were the last few items I needed to complete my Carcassonne collection.
 DDD
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Tuuli Mustasydän
Canada
Edmonton
Alberta
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Joulupukki (because, as we all know, Santa lives in Finland),
I received my package today and at first I wasn't sure if I should open it, in case the game wasn't gift wrapped inside. Fortunately there was a friend nearby, and I had him open it to check - and indeed, inside the box was not one, but THREE wrapped packages - one large and two small.
The large one looks about the right size and heft for Settlers of Catan (I actually don't have my own copy yet  ), the tiny one is about the right size for Jambo expansion Catan: Event Cards (misremembered the size there, and doesn't feel like there's a box), and the small one is an Amigo-sized small box. There are a number of games with that box size on my wishlist, so that's the only one I really have no idea of what it might be right now.
There's also a little card from StarlitCitadel.com
I'll be opening these at my Christmas party on Dec. 6, which happens to also be St. Nicholas Day in some parts of the world.
Kiitos ja hyvää joulua!
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Posted Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:43 pm
Nyaaaah!
--Aotearoa New Zealand! (It was likely one of them that intercepted and re-routed your package.)
For those of you who don't know Chris, he already has to keep his collection in his basement, because if he kept them upstairs, the weight would probably collapse his floor. Nice haul, though!
