2023 Science Madness Secret Santa – The fun begins!

Over the years I have received a huge amount of japanese candy, trinkets, objects and decorations from japanese culture and holidays (tanabata, various festivals, gadgets, omamoris etc) but i think I have never received anythong more japanese than Mitsubishi pencils. The graphics, the lettering, the brand... The japanese hyperfixation with stationery, the pastel colours and the golden serif fonts.



[Edited on 10-1-2024 by valeg96]

Wanted to say it was nice to participate this year, I love this community and getting to know members. Seems to always be a good mix and varied experience. Lot of cool things went around! I got to see that mine was received at least in part, one small dropship didn't seem to manifest in the mailbox there the hand packed portion did, so yay!

That said, if you were my Santa, and feel bad b/c I hadn't mentioned your gift... (I know we all put in a lot of thought/time/effort), I wasn't just being callous.

I assume the mail service has devoured it, or it's somewhere not here, haha. I appreciate the effort at getting something sent, but nothing was received so far. If it wasn't insured, USPS will likely say tough titties... I don't want anyone to be put out twice with costs associated, just for my sake, should that be the case.

So, for the record, THANK YOU!! I'm sorry you don't get to see an excited post by your recipient, but your efforts were not in vain. Much love from Cali, whoever you are happy 2024!

I have recently returned from a trip away to find that I have received a nice selection of metals and some local produce, as well as a couple of chemical mysteries to solve. What a perfect gift, thanks so much Santa!

All this is making me regret not participating! I guess I’ll have to wait for next year.

Ha ha ha ha, I find this amusing, after having just said nothing had arrived yet, I got home today to a package, from Argentina no less. Kinda reminds me of testing fate by throwing the fishing pole in your car after the boss said he wasn't sure if you'd be working for the day.. you end up finding out real quick, haha, usually when backing down the driveway with a smile on your face.

There was a super cool electrolysis piece of glassware, a gas stopcock tube, some halfnium disks, and a sensor of some sort!

I can certainly say I'm surprised, and very thankful! Out of country parcels are a headache for sure!! I always felt the addresses look so different than whatever convention you're accustomed to, and I always hoped I got it right enough to make it to it's destination, haha.

You did well, And it's appreciated, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Now the fun part of trying to decide who it was!!

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P

I have recently returned from a trip away to find that I have received a nice selection of metals and some local produce, as well as a couple of chemical mysteries to solve. What a perfect gift, thanks so much Santa!

Quote: Originally posted by Bedlasky

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P   I have recently returned from a trip away to find that I have received a nice selection of metals and some local produce, as well as a couple of chemical mysteries to solve. What a perfect gift, thanks so much Santa! That small bottle is Becherovka, czech distillate with some herbs and spices. It have 38 % alcohol.

Quote: Originally posted by Texium

I actually just bought myself a bottle of Becherovka when I was in Texas for the holidays (can't find it anywhere in Utah)! I enjoy making cocktails at home and have been collecting a variety of interesting liqueurs.

And how do you rate the Becherovka-Does it taste good? I like it and it's healthy because of the medicinal herbs. I drink it occasionally.

Christmas Card

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PElementSamples?page=2#items

PElementSamples is a rock-* and did the second shipping for free. Doesn't look like he's got any more 10g samples of Iodine left, but a smaller one (5g?) for 12$ or so. I recommend this guy for sure.

Glad you finally got it charley1957! Whoo hoo it's nice when things work out as planned

Postal System

Quote: Originally posted by MadHatter

I haven't heard anything from my Santee. I have to wonder about different postal services and/or regulations. In my case the gift was sent to Argentina. It contained no elements or compounds.

Ahh yes. I meant to follow this up and I overlooked it.
I did get a message saying nothing had arrived. It seems to have gotten lost in the Argentinian postal system. I know you said you received tracking details that it had left the US and had landed in Argentina. Beyond that, I don't think anyone knows what happened.

There was another package that did not arrive, and also one member who seems to have dropped off the map for a bit. So, perhaps not the most successful year. I still think it is worth doing despite the occasional glitches. I am so glad that this community is so forgiving, accommodating and generous. It is one of the things that makes this board special.

J.

Tracking

My Gift just arrived Today ! No letter or anything to, just a fan and flexible tube, but it's nice
I had to pay a small fee to customs to xD
BTW i know it was from MadHatter since i'm the only one in Argentina haha Thanks ^.^

Secret Santa 2023

I think my Fume Hood is a little big (1,5 x 1,1 x 0,6 )m³ for the extractor, however it's just right for my Flame Photometer



[Edited on 7-3-2024 by Chem Science]