2009 Edition of Look what my Secret Santa sent me...
-
Once again I am running this list as a central location to let your Secret Santa know when your (hopefully much appreciated) gift has arrived to your house.
Use this list to record what your Secret Santas sent you and remember to include any comments such as thanks that you want to give your Secret Santa. When you post on this list, you may want to make a note on your profile with a link to your entry so your Secret Santa can easily locate your confirmation of delivery and your 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 released!
Please only make an entry when you actually receive the present!
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?)
To see how the previous years' editions of this list have gone, look at these links:
"2008 List"
"2007 List"
"2006 List"
Simon's yearly breakdown of games:
**EDIT Just Added** Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2009
Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2008
Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2007
Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2006
[b]New Note (I placed this in the comments section as well): If you have added a "Comment" of your gift receipt, please take the time to "Add Item" to this GeekList rather than to place a comment in this section of the receipt of your gift. The actual items being added is how the statistics get accumulated for Simon Hunt's great results list located at http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/49122
A good example of how to make an entry useful for this other list is located at: this entry.
Making an actual entry will also make it easier for your Secret Santa to locate your Item.
-
Tim Rourke
United Kingdom
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
-
I know it's hard to believe, but thanks to a hugely efficient and generous Santa and his hard working elf Nick (At Shire Games in Stoke on Trent UK) I have already recieved 3 gifts.
As I have no tree yet to put it under I am going to put the games in the games cupboard all wrapped up.
Thanks Secret Santa (and Nick)
Tim Rourke
PS this is the 2nd time I have been first on this list (See 2007) - Last time I failed to last till christmas. I wonder what may happen this year... (The present isn't the one shown as it is still wrapped - But such efficiency makes it a perfect present)
PPS - Confession time, my son is going away this week and I had some time off over the weekend so I thought that a game of small world would be perfect. It is now opened, But I have left the other 2 packages until christmas day
New Edit - The two other presents were the addons to Small world, even more fantasy goodness
-
-
Mark Jacobson
United States
-
I always wondered what went on in the back room of my FLGS, but now I know: it's where they keep the elves. Apparently, they work them pretty hard, too, because Santa sent me a note today telling me that they had already assembled my present.
When I arrived, they merrily handed me two beautifully wrapped boxes, which, I admit, did not stay wrapped for long. In addition to Race for the Galaxy (  ), Santa also gave me A Company of Knights for Shadows Over Camelot -- I would never let myself buy these guys, so it was an absolutely perfect present. Both games will definitely hit the table this week.
Thanks, Santa! You have brought my household great cheer.
Update: X-Deck! I received a package (with Christmas stickers on it!) from Lookout Games; In addition to the X-Deck, it contained Through the Seasons, Le Havre Promo Cards, and a bag of resourceeples! Thank you, Santa, for all your work and generosity.
-
-
Greg Williams
United States
Portland
Oregon
-
Imagine my surprise to return home and find an unexpected package from B&B. Of course I opened it.
 And what to my wondering eyes should appear but Chicago Express and a note from one of Santa's Elves! Thanks Secret Santa!
-
-
4.
Board Game: Ra
[Average Rating:7.60 Overall Rank:48]
Joe Thomas
United States
Coshocton
Ohio
-
I know that I was gonna wait until Christmas Eve, but I had to find out! And OMG, Secret Santa ROCK!!! and not only get this amazing Reiner Knizia classic
(that I've been wanting so badly), but I also got....
Dominion: Seaside
I almost cry. Secret Santa just blew me away. Thank you Secret Santa, Thank you very much.
I just hope that I do my Secret Santa justice by doing right by my target! Again. Thank you Secret Santa from the bottom of my heart.
-
-
Steve Helmke
United States
Watertown
Wisconsin
-
Wow...I was surprised to find a large box from B&B on my doorstep this evening when I returned home from work. Being a rather impatient fellow, I opened the package. Apparently Santa thought I was very good this year because in addition to Dominion:Intrigue, my Santa included Dominion: Seaside, Kingsburg: To Forge a Realm Expansion, and Airships. I am looking forward to getting the chance to play these games this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you Santa for being so generous!!!!
-
-
Kevin Lloyd
United Kingdom
Penmaenmawr
Conwy
-
Let's hear it for my Zecret Zanta. Just arrived (yay!), and immediately confiscated by my wife (booo!). She knows that I would try to find an excuse to open it, you know, just in case...
Once again, diolch yn fawr Zecret Zanta.
And lo - my Santa has sent me an extra gift - with instructions to open it as soon as I get it.
Carcassonne: Abbey & Mayor
Thank you so much - and may your Santa be as generous as yourself.
Edit
Thanks Santa - one of my top wants. Big bonus that as it's a co-op game, my wife won't beat me at this one.
-
-
I am happy.
United States
Milford
Ohio
Be Good, Play Happy
By the power of Greyskull!
-
I know my Santa has been following his package and waiting for a reply. I apologize for the delay. I'm going through a divorce and it was daddy's night to have my 22 month old daughter and needless to say she is my best present ever.
My Santa has been wonderfully generous and amusing. He's sent several jovial e-mails and teasers.
When I came home and had the munchkin down, I shameless tore into the package despite the chidings of "But it's not Christmas yet." To which I countered, "But, there's games to play!"
Inside, my Santa had sent Battlelore: Heroes Expansion. I first played this at GenCon and immediately fell for it. It's a terrific expansion. I've been holding off on purchasing it but had made a deal with myself to get this after Christmas if no one else had. Thank you Santa!
But the gifts keep coming! I dug around looking for a paper or a note, and behold! My Santa had also sent Battlelore: Epic Battlelore!
Another great gift! At my boardgame group, it's difficult to get 2-player games going. But with Epic Battlelore, we can setup battle royale's. I'm thinking of doing something like WWF, "Are you ready to RUUUUUUUUUUUUUMBLE?!"
Thank you very much Santa, whomever you are, for a wonderful, wonderful start to the Christmas season. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
--Jason
-
-
Ian Wakeham
United Kingdom
Chester
Cheshire
-
I can't believe it! The game that I've wanted for so many years and my Secret Santa has bought it for me. At least that's what I think is in the parcel based on the size, weight and smell of it. I'm even pretty sure it's the rare Feige Spiele edition.
I'll delay opening the parcel for now and just run through my well thumbed and annotated print out of the Poisson d'Avril rules.
I may open it in a few days if only to handle the Bakelite dice and rubber cards. However, if it's not what I think it is I'll be mightily fished off.
I've opened the package and am delighted to find Pandemic: On the Brink. The perfect choice Santa! I was planning to take Pandemic away at Christmas but now I'll have to find extra space for this!
-
-
Justin Pranger
United States
Seattle
Washington
-
I wasn't expecting anything so soon in, fact I was going to by my secret.., ah gifter?, their present today. So thanks secret Santa that's apparently living in the southern hemisphere, I can't wait to play it!
-
-
Mike Amos
United States
Minneapolis
Minnesota
-
Got home and found I had a box from Fed Ex from a games company I don't order from. I believe it's gotta be my secret santa. Now it'll be interesting to test my fortitude in waiting to open it.
In other good news, my own target's gift arrived today, this weekend I can repackage and send it out. w00t!
EDIT: Well that didn't take long. I caved Thanks to my Secret Santa for a great game and one that I have nothing like. It's my first war game and I'm looking forward to trying it out.
-
-
Adam Alleman
United States
Denver
Colorado
-
Really surprised this got here so quick. Fed Ex said it wouldn't be here until next week. After picking up my daughter from school, we played our first game of FFFF. She loved it! I think we are going to have a lot of fun playing this.
I was also able to play my other SS gift:
Dice Town
Since my game night is the third Friday, I was able to get this on the table. I am a big fan of poker, and this seems to be a great implementation of the poker dice.
My final gift was:
Le Havre
Can't wait to get this one on the table. I have really enjoyed Agricola and everyone seems to like this better.
What a generous Santa!
Thank you very much!
-
-
12.
Board Game: Brass
[Average Rating:8.08 Overall Rank:8]
Brandon Witzel
United States
Vancouver
Washington
-
BRASS AND RAGE????
OMG THANKS SANTY-PANTS!!!1
Best Christmas Ever!
-
-
lancew
United States
Waterloo
Iowa
-
My Secret Santa emailed me early this morning to let me know a package was to arrive TODAY! Well that certainly makes for a long Friday workday.
Sure enough, waiting for me when I got home was a cardboard box. I told myself I would open the delivery box and if the inside box was wrapped I would stick it under the tree (I am a liar). Luckily for me though the inside held an unwrapped game that I have had on my wishlist for a long time, Power Grid. YES!
But wait, there's more...
Also in the box was
Power Grid - Italy/France
Power Grid - Benelux/Central Europe
Power Grid - Korea/China
Thank you Secret Santa! And Happy Holidays!
-
-
Corey Allen
United States
Humble
Texas
-
Wow, my Santa was fast!!! All the way from the UK and got me Taktika and Colossal Arena!!!
Thanks!!! I can't wait to start flicking my disks into battle!
-
-
Kyle W.
United States
Up Nort' Der
Wisconsin
Counterpoint: I disagree; the inability to tip and the thumbs that don't count are part of GQ's charm.
Point: Me Grimlock think tipping answers in GeekQuestions should be fixed.
-
Woohoo! Page One!
My Secret Santa worked fast this year, and after a little taunting...
Santa wrote: Santa here. I hate to break it to ya, pal, but you were the first person on my Naughty List. In fact, you were so naughty that the other elves wanted to steal my sleigh and reindeer just so they could fly to Wisconsin to teach your naughty little arse a lesson. Cooler heads prevailed, though, and the elves agreed to send the usual lumps of coal. I made sure that the lumps were extra powdery so you couldn't use it as a game piece without blackening your fingers. So, uh, Happy Xmas, and . . . Oh yeah. Ho ho ho! ~Santa 
...he or she air-dropped (via ThoughtHammer) a suspiciously large box.
I resisted opening it for about 30 seconds, and found not one but two awesome games inside:
Duel in the Dark (The just reprinted, mold-free second edition!)
AND
Wings of War: Fire from the Sky
I suspect that my Santa could be a fellow WWII aviation fan... Hmmm... 
THANK YOU!!!!
-
-
Peter
United States
Carol Stream
Illinois
See, I told you.
You'll get over it.
-
OK, so it isn't a 'black box' its your standard brown cardboard shipping box. But it's big and heavy. My favorite kind.
I must have been at the top of Santa's list this year because the elves sent my present super quick. I now have a whole month to stare impatiently at my secret gift. It will be pure euphoric torture trying to guess what is inside the box!
Return here to see pictures of the opened box after Dec 25th.
UPDATE 11-24-09
OK, so I've discovered a slight dilemma. I don't know what my BGGSS bought me, so now I'm worried about buying anything before the big day due to possibly buying a game which is in my Secret Santa package. Ah well, my anticipation about opening the gift box is too cool to worry at all about it.
So, I'm catching flak from the Mrs. about a brown box being under the tree. (Which hasn't even been put up mind you, but nevertheless.) So I'm checking the Secret Santa Store list and I see that Boulder Games, (the location from which my Secret Santa package came from), includes gift wrapping. Whoooo Hoooo, I might be able to open the box and place nicely wrapped gifts under the tree. But, it is possible the goodies inside might not be wrapped. The package did arrive quickly and it is possible my benefactor may not have given Boulder Games the message about BGGSS. So I have my wife cut open one side of the lid and check to see. (I made her swear to keep absolute secrecy before she did though. Not that it matters as she is not a gamer and probably wouldn’t recognize the games.)
A breathless pause… Yes! The goods are gift wrapped! So we gently take them out of the box. (My wife already has a piece of chocolate from Boulder’s quickly becoming famous candy packs in her mouth.) What do you know, not one… not two… but three little gifts neatly wrapped and waiting to be torn open. I’m a bit stunned. I had heard about very generous benefactors from the previous Secret Santa events, but really didn’t expect to get much. I joined this year because I assumed there’d be fewer participants and those participants wouldn’t be able to contribute as much due to the current economic climate. I figured I’m doing OK, so I’ll spread a little cheer around. I honestly did not expect to receive such a generous offering.
THANK YOU SECRET SANTA! And CHEERS MATE!
(Secret Santa appears to be from England card says so).
For scale the card in the picture is on an 8.5x11 card stock sheet.
The big box, is seriously heavy, feels solid and full of bricks.
UPDATE 12-25-09
OK so I got to open my presents this morning. Whooo Hooo! Of course the wife is preparing dinner with the mother-in-law and doesn’t know I’m online... **looks over his shoulder nervously** ...so I have to be quick.
I received:
Thank you very much Santa! I know we’ll play No Thanks tonight, would probably never have thought to get this game myself, but looks like it will be a big hit.
-
-
Kendall Merriman
United States
San Jose
California
-
And when I got home today, I found a package in my room from Boards & Bits. One of my roommates brought it in and put it there. I wasn't sure what it was, since I didn't remember ordering anything. I opened it up, and I found this game looking up at me. Excited. I wasn't expecting a secret santa who is so on the ball. And since it wasn't wrapped, that means I get to play it this weekend.
-
-
Halcyon Dream
United States
Charlottesville
Virginia
-
I don't consider myself a Scrooge slacker when it comes to Santa duties, but while I'm still scrambling to get my deliveries together, my Secret Santa has already taunted and delivered.
I shall hold you responsible, Santa, if I am unable to distract myself from the new presents found on my doorstep.
Must concentrate...must mail package...Oooooo
Meuterer and Taj Mahal!
Thanks Santa!
-
-
19.
Board Game: Amun-Re
[Average Rating:7.45 Overall Rank:97]
Chris Dippel
United States
Forest Hills
New York
Commentary! The Overtext
-
I arrived home today to find a package waiting on my doorstep.
As I have pre-ordered a couple of things, I didn't think twice about opening the package. It never occurred to me that Santa would be so on the ball.
I'm sorry I doubted you, Mr. Santa, Sir.
I won't make that mistake again!
So although I apologize for being a bit early in opening my present, I can't say I'm sorry I did, because tonight suddenly became game night!
Inside the package from Santa was Amun-Re, which I have been dying to get, AND Battle Line.
Knizia-Fest at Chris' House!
Secret-Santa-Knizia-Claus, you have made this boy's Christmas wishes come true, and I thank you!
Have a Merry and a Happy!
-Chris Dippel
-
-
Matt McCallum
United States
Portland
Oregon
-
My Secret Santa dropped me a line yesterday and let me know to expect a package. I got a call from my fiance while I was at work letting me know that a box from Boards and Bits arrived today! She opened the package to see what was inside and then promptly re-packed it. I won't be opening the box until Christmas Eve. I am tempted, but I'll make it. For me, the worst part is that my fiance knows what secrets are contained within. I could try and pump her for information but she's too good to fall for any of my tricks.
Thanks for the added holiday torture Santa!
It's Christmas so I finally got to open the gifts from my Secret Santa! My fiance wrapped everything in different boxes so it was impossible to guess what games I was getting. The first game I opened was Battle Line! My fiance and I are big fans of quick and portable two player games. Battle Line will be perfect for when we go hiking or when we go out to dinner.
The next box contained Wits and Wagers Expansion #1. Wits and Wagers is our favorite party game. Everyone we have played it with has also loved it. I'm willing to wager (wink wink) that these new questions are going to provide many more hours of trivia fun.
Finally, I uncovered the grand finale; Cosmic Encounter! I added this game to my wish list at the last minute after reading and watching some reviews (thank you BGG community). I have a feeling that this game is going to be a hit with my gaming friends. It plays quickly, has tons of variable powers, and some negotiation thrown in. This picture shows my excitement.
Thank you very much Secret Santa! You are incredibly generous and thoughtful. You get bonus points for picking out games that my fiance is excited about. I hope you and your loved ones had a safe and wonderful Christmas. Thanks again!
-
-
Dwsparks
United States
Huntsville
Alabama
When the bullet hits the bone!
-
Secret Santa was FAST this year!
I opened the box (which arrived this afternoon) to find two wrapped packages. Should I wait until Christmas? or should I open them now?
Sadly, I only prevaricated for 20 seconds before ripping the packages open. (Santa said it was OK!)
I was happy to find Neuroshima Hex!, which was on my list and a SURPRISE! I also got the expansion which is particularly awesome!
Thanks Santa! You Rock!
-
-
Jason Wilsey
United States
Arvada
Colorado
-
My Santa sent me a game that I have been waiting for a long time. I am too excited to apply the stickers. Thank you Secret Santa!!!! It will be played soon and often!!
-
-
23.
Board Game: Tobago
[Average Rating:7.21 Overall Rank:207]
G. Libby
United States
Middletown
Rhode Island
-
Ok, my Secret Santa rocks! Not only did I get this nifty new game I received copies of R-Eco, Wool Rules, and Bridge Troll!
Thanks a lot Santa! I hope you and your family have a Safe and Merry Christmas!
-
-
Ben Bateson
United Kingdom
Ross-on-Wye
Subsribee to the Dominion Addiction Clinic
-
Was woken up by the postman at 8:30 this morning, brandishing a box from those wonderful people at Shire Games.
My wife gets VERY weird about opening one's Christmas presents before the right time, so I have convinced her, given the fact that the Geek is predominantly an American site, that this is actually a Thanksgiving present, and it's quite normal to open those a few days early!
Absolutely delighted to finally get my hands on Pillars. I was a little fooled at first, because the box is exactly Dominion-sized, and Seaside was also high on my wishlist. Pillars is a much better, and more imaginative gift. Thanks Santa!
-
-
Matt Clementson
Wales
Cardiff
-
I wasn't in the office yesterday (my delivery address since I'm never at home when the postie comes) and just popped in this morning to pick up a few things when what do I see sitting on my desk but a big box with BGG Secret Santa stickers on it!
Delving through the mountain of polystyrene packing I find not 1, not 2 but 3 presents!!! My Santa is clearly a generous soul
I'm resisting the urge to open them all but from the taunt I received (taunt somehow implies bad intent - there needs to be a better word for it, perhaps teaser?) and the size of the parcels I can guess at one of them - the Descent: Quest Compendium!
Actually - I was so sure that I opened this one - haha, I guessed wrong - actually another PowerGrid board - even better!
I can also guess that as the wrapping paper was from WH Smith that my Secret Santa is UK based
Thank you, thank you, thank you my most generous Secret Santa. I shall resist the urge to open the other 2 until Christmas (how will I hold out for just over a month??)
Merry Christmas everyone and especially to my generous benefactor.
(Now I'd best organise sending my parcel out...)
EDIT: OK, my willpower cracked and I couldn't help myself... And WOW was my SS generous, the two other gifts were;
Infernal Contraption - A game I've been wanting to play and one I think will go down a storm with my gaming group.
And... drum roll please...
Senji - A game that I've played a couple of times, loved and have wanted to get ever since. It's not to wargamey that it scares me off and political enough to satisfy my Machivellian urges. A fantastic choice by my SS and also top of my wishlist - so thank you once again! Merry Christmas! 
-
-
|
|
Posted Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:49 pm
..... I better give them a call.... 
in that shipment, sir. Good game to pick if you haven't been at your best behavior for the past year! 
Especially as apparently I would have got Pandemic + Expansion. As I couldn't wait any longer I decided to buy these two games on my own then!