Not much knitting action here….Knittybaby seems to be going through his first growth spurt and Little Man is having a hard time sharing his mommy. I’ve been spending a lot of time nursing my baby and trying to keep my Little Man from feeling left out. Needless to say, I could use a couple of extra arms! (And a lap) Luckily, the warm weather is helping in that we can get outside. I don’t know what I’d do if it was January.
So I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to do Secret Pal 8. I’ve never done one before, but I have to say I’ve been coveting all those great boxes I see people get. The whole thing just seems fun, and I’m a sucker for getting anything in the mail. But here’s my hang-up: every time I do a secret pal (usually a Secret Santa) I end up with the lousiest one. In 6th grade, everyone else was getting cool things like neon jelly bracelets. What did I get? A half melted, squished box of Junior Mints from some boy I didn’t even know:-( Then there was the time in college when the accountant in my office was my Secret Santa, but didn’t get the whole concept of it and didn’t understand he was supposed to get me anything. So everytime I sign up for something I have fun buying for my pal but usually come up short on my end. As I write this I’m thinking I sound like a greedy girl! I’m really not, it’s just a bummer when it seems to happen every time. I had actually given up on these until Secret Pal came along.
So what I’d love to hear is about your experiences. Have you done a Secret Pal? How was it? If not, why? Should I try it out or go snag a “Not a Secret Pal” button and go drop $60 at the Yarnery sale this weekend? Right now, I’m leaning towards trying it out. After all, these are knitters here, not 6th grade boys, right?
Knittymama 
Good luck decided! I usually don’t play becuase I stink at buying gifts!!! And right now I have no time to go out and really spend time looking! But my guess is no matter what, you’ll be fine, becuase yes, these are knitters and not 6th grade boys! So go for it and have fun =)
I had a lot of fun buying. Some of my secret pal adventures I received great stuff, others not so much. A lot of excuses, “lost” packages, cheap filler items, etc. I don’t do them anymore because I would rather gift people I know.
I’m going to try it this time. Let’s be adventurous together. I have so much fun buying little gifts I think I’ll have fun either way.
I haven’t done the official SPs, but I’ve enjoyed the mini-exchange some friends from overseas set up. Worth a shot, right?!
I’ve done s few SP programs. Sometimes it’s been fun and sometimes not. My first experience was the best – the person I was secret pal for was super fun to buy for and we were a lot alike and still keep in touch over a year later. I was secret pal another time for a knitter who posted to her blog twice the whole time, so it was really hard figuring out what to buy her. On the receiving end I’ve gotten some great stuff and some not so great stuff, but it was still fun to get the packages. I sat out the last one just to take a break, but I’m ready to try again!
I hear your pain since that is what usually happens to me in this type of exchange.
I have done 2 SP’s and been batting 50% on good vs. bad. However, I do love getting yarn in the mail and my last pal was a fantastic pal.
I am giving it one last go round and if it is bad, I will not do it again!
I’m doing it for the first time too. Give it a shot. I think it will be fun!