On Friday i received a lovely box of various organic herbal teas!!
I cannot tell who sent it, so thank you to the secret gifter. It looks lovely, smells delightful, and the ones i have Had so far taste very good. 🌝
posted by 15L06 at 7:05 AM on November 17 [9 favorites]

Thank you to the anonymous MeFite who sent me super juicy gummy bears and an array of cat-themed pens! I'm especially partial to the silver one that says, "I can't, my cat said no."
posted by yarntheory at 11:57 AM on November 19 [12 favorites]

My super speedy secret beanser sent me this giant tome: The Oxford Companion to Food, which arrived safe and sound before the rain started. I'm really looking forward to tucking in. Thank you so much mysterious benefactor, and I wish you a happy and tasty festive season!
posted by bunnysquirrel at 4:52 AM on November 21 [5 favorites]

Hi Yueliang! Thanks so much for the sensory sand and magnetic men! As we are great minds thinking alike, these items are similar to ones I've been gifting this year. I look forward to seeing our holiday guests experiment with these and then doing my best to expand further!
posted by beaning at 4:49 PM on November 21 [6 favorites]

Oh gosh, that's so amazing to hear, I'm glad you are enjoying them and that warms my heart! I hope it's okay that I sent them if you already sent something similar to others, is that considered a good thing?? haha! Also could I ask, how are you going to expand further?
posted by yueliang at 12:00 AM on November 22 [3 favorites]

I must have been extra good this year, because I got a second helping of secret beans - a book about new-to-me hobby soapmaking - this time with a card. Excellent choices, and thank you again aniola!
posted by bunnysquirrel at 1:39 AM on November 22 [5 favorites]

Hi Yuiliang - it's fine, these are the kind of items where more can be better in encouraging creativity and use. I have no formal or inherent artistic bent so mostly I watch what others do and how they do it and then see if I can mimic it, and maybe do something bigger or modified to my tastes.
posted by beaning at 7:01 AM on November 22 [4 favorites]

Hi beaning -- that sounds so fun, thanks for taking the time to explore and explain that!! I'm really happy it was received so well and I only wish lots of fun and quality time for you and your loved ones and whatever y'all get up to with them!
posted by yueliang at 9:28 AM on November 22 [6 favorites]

My gift arrived, but I'm trying to put off opening it.
(Narrator, probably: She opened it later that weekend.)

I don't know who my Secret Beanser is (yet?), but thank you so much.
posted by NorthernLite at 9:56 AM on November 23 [3 favorites]

Happy birthday to ...[CLAP CLAP CLAP] ... Okay, guys, wait for it.

Now, all together...Happy Birthday to ...[CLAP CLAP CLAP] ... Look, you have to wait for it.

So, again. Happy ...[CLAP CLAP CLAP] ...

Ah, forget it. Bring on the Tequila depth charges and Relleno platters.
posted by mule98J at 3:36 PM on November 23

thank you so much RobinofFrocksley for the cat calendar, tea, and card of virtual vacation destinations! I love this so much -- and the cat card and wrapping paper were purr-fect <3
posted by aaanastasia at 12:53 PM on November 25 [6 favorites]

A couple of firsts here:

* I have been beaned by the eponysterical beaning with a box of lovely goodies, including a cool fidget geegaw for fussing with while reading MF, a printed tea towel (for lack of better description) with the illustrated 12 days of Texas xmas on it, and a happy face balloon kit (built by providing some air), which I may use to (carefully) see if mr dog will do the boop the balloon into the air game (I have my doubts, but worth one shot, surely!). There was also a hand-written card in the box with kind words inscribed on it, which was lovely. Thanks beaning!

* I have accumulated the goodies needed to send out my gift, have found a box and will hopefully be sending via usps tomorrow and will update the trackinator as events warrant. (I am usually woefully behind on this task, yay me if it actually goes out tomorrow.)
posted by maxwelton at 9:34 PM on November 25 [6 favorites]

Want to give a big thanks to Scout405 for my box of goodies. Along with a bunch of excellent crafting supplies they sent an amazing (and well timed) book: Let's Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers; Build Community and Make Change! which I have a feeling I will be getting a few more copies of as gifts to my similarly crafty friends. Thanks!
posted by Captain_Science at 8:35 AM on November 26 [7 favorites]

I did get my modest box of loot into the clutches of the USPS and trackinatored, so feel likeI accomplished something today. Time for a nap.
posted by maxwelton at 4:52 PM on November 26 [5 favorites]

Thank you so much, gifter! I got the package yesterday but am going to wait to open it.
posted by odd ghost at 7:45 AM on November 28 [3 favorites]

I received a parcel today from Vienna (!), which I will save and open on Christmas Day. Thank you kind MeFite!

My gift to my recipient will be mailed early next week. There's something very specific to my local area that I want to get which I will be able to buy either tomorrow or on Saturday, and I'll then send it on its way on Monday.
posted by essexjan at 9:01 AM on November 28 [4 favorites]

My gift was mailed earlier today, and will be delivered early next week!
posted by cozenedindigo at 8:58 AM on November 29 [3 favorites]

My daughter is making the card for my outbound gift - it'll get in the mail tomorrow. And I got my first holiday card!!! SO NICE!
posted by nkknkk at 11:50 AM on November 29 [3 favorites]

I know my giftee got my gift (via mail tracking) but the site I bought it from didn't allow a note. Hopefully they saw the note I asked the organisers to pass on for context :D
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:14 PM on November 29 [2 favorites]

FYI for international gifters: Canada Post is currently on strike.
posted by cozenedindigo at 3:38 AM on November 30 [4 favorites]

I sent my gift on the 26th and updated the trackinator today; my recipient should get the package soon if they haven't already. Season's beans to all!
posted by Lawn Beaver at 5:16 PM on November 30 [4 favorites]

Hey maxwelton, thank you so much for the box of chocolates and bonus book! Sweet Mona's Chocolates are divine and I am enjoying them so much. Whidbey Island sounds like a magical place and now I am imagining a sweet, goofy, Hallmark Christmas movie set there, where a friendly, Terry Pratchett loving resident and his trusty dog Brodie make holiday dreams come true! Thank you again for your generosity and perfect secret beans execution!
posted by pjsky at 9:20 AM on December 1 [5 favorites]

pjsky, glad to have sent the box, and pleased you are enjoying it! I would be very enthusiatic about the movie idea if the lovely big-city-successful blonde woman protagonist is set to discover what is missing from her life is a broke, pudgy, bald old hermit with a cute-but-grudging-about-making-new-friends dog.
posted by maxwelton at 9:39 PM on December 1 [4 favorites]

divabat thank you so much for the Ace Attorney game! I asked for “anything you like” and also talked about how I like well-designed games, so you picked a game you love that is really well designed. I’ve heard of the series forever, but had never actually played, so this is great. Thank you!

(And I’m sorry I didn’t respond right away, I was traveling to AU of all places. I waved from the plane!)
posted by jragon at 1:17 PM on December 2 [5 favorites]

jragon: I'm creatrixtiara now but yay!! I hope you enjoy :D
posted by creatrixtiara at 1:45 PM on December 2 [3 favorites]

A very exciting looking package arrived for me (!!!), and I'm waiting til my semester is wrapped up to unwrap it. It’s such a gift to have a surprise waiting for me on the other side of grading!
posted by beccasaurus at 6:46 PM on December 2 [5 favorites]

A Secret Beans package landed at my place yesterday and I am entirely delighted! It is an item from my wish list, but probably the best, cutest and most festive of all the things. It is a capybara rechargeable light. It is soft and you can prod it gently to turn the light on and off. It came in a cute bright blue gift bag, too. Thank you, secret beanser! Did I mention it is delightful!?

Today I mailed out some secret beans and filled out the trackinator.
Thank you, rhyspenbras and okayokayigive, and everyone! :-D
posted by Glinn at 9:06 AM on December 3 [5 favorites]

I received word that my gift is hitting the streets today, so with luck it should arrive in a couple of days. TRACKINATOR UPDATED!!

Good luck, little package!
posted by wenestvedt at 9:23 AM on December 3 [5 favorites]

Came home from Thanksgiving travel to a lovely pack of origami paper from cyndigo - truly beautiful and I can't wait to get started making some cranes! Thank you to everyone who organizes and participates in this annually - I appreciate it!
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 1:41 PM on December 3 [6 favorites]

I sent my parcel yesterday and updated the trackinator. A little bit of Essex is on its way to Switzerland!
posted by essexjan at 1:57 PM on December 3 [5 favorites]

Thanks jason6! I arrived home to find a special package in the mail. I was going to hold off on opening it but that lasted about 10 minutes. Thanks for the lovely cards made by a local artist!
posted by kbar1 at 5:31 PM on December 3 [5 favorites]

I opened my swap gift last night - the most gorgeous set of penguin coasters! They are simply perfect in every way, thank you so much! The note had a personal name, but not the MeFi user name, so I do hope you see this!
posted by dorey_oh at 9:23 PM on December 3 [5 favorites]

Hi dorey_oh! That was me! I meant to send you a card letting you know a gift would be delivered directly from the vendor, but in typical me fashion the card sat in my purse until last Friday. I'm so glad you like the coasters!
posted by kbar1 at 9:47 AM on December 4 [7 favorites]

Haha, kbar1, I totally hear ya about "meant to send that" items! Glad you saw my note here!
posted by dorey_oh at 10:45 AM on December 4 [6 favorites]

Beans are here and they are fabulous!! A massive thank you to darsh!

I'm working on posting pics and details of all the fabulous things but couldn't wait to say THANK YOU! More info on the beans coming soon!!
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 3:42 PM on December 5 [4 favorites]

So I opened this box labeled FRAGILE and check out the beans!! The envelope covered in shiny fun stickers had a lovely card (look at that magnificent bobcat) from darsh that got me even more excited to unwrap everything.

There's a glorious colorful garland made of paper birds from a women's coop in Nepal which is the perfect final touch for my current bird themed holiday kitchen vibe. A totally amazing mug* with tasty looking tea. And a perfectly whimsical lion head cork (y'all my gift guidance asks for exactly this type of object so I feel very seen by this cork).

*Oh man you guys look at it. Look at the mug . He is absolutely just what I needed in my life right now and he fits my hand perfectly. My dog was so excited about all the beans but especially thrilled about meeting the mug and welcoming it home with a kiss.

I'm having my morning coffee in my new best buddy right now and feeling like the luckiest bean receiver. So perfect. THANK YOU darsh!
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 6:53 AM on December 6 [7 favorites]

A sweet little package was waiting for me when I got home from a very. long. day. Inside was a Build on Brick Mug! I have wanted one of these for years and I’m so delighted to have one at long last.

Thanks you mysterious sender!
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 11:52 AM on December 6 [3 favorites]

My gift arrived today! Thank you wenestvedt! Appropriately enough for this grey and cold winter day, I received some hot chocolate and cinnamon from Penzey's Spices! I've been meaning to try their products, so thanks again!
posted by cozenedindigo at 12:09 PM on December 6 [5 favorites]

cozenedindigo, I am glad they arrived amid this cold snap!

Enjoy some hot chocolate while you pick out a recipe or two, then crank up the oven and make something sweet & spicy with that cinnamon. (I suggest muffins with Nutella, and cinnamon sugar on top, but YDY!)
posted by wenestvedt at 12:26 PM on December 6 [3 favorites]

A belated thank you to my beanser, oddghost! She sent me a book called (lDirtbag, Massachusetts by Isaac Fitzgerald, which I've already started reading, some chocolate-covered cranberries (yum!), a vanilla cupcake scented candle, and a box of Ouija board mints. Thanks so much! : )
posted by SisterHavana at 2:17 PM on December 6 [4 favorites]

This is a pre-Thank You. My Secret Bean gift arrived on my doorstep today.

However, because I probably won't get any (tangible) Hanukkah gifts at all, I'm going to wait to open it. I didn't know if the contents were wrapped, so I haven't even opened the box to see who sent it. So, I can't thank you directly yet, but consider this gratitude for having sent something. Just the box on my front step delighted me! (More later...)
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 4:41 PM on December 6 [6 favorites]

Thank you to dorey_oh for the lovely two-part beansing. Both the kid and the cats are enjoying the crocheted cephalopods and I'm trying to decide when to debut my new t-shirt. Sticker is waiting for me to bring my waterbottle home so I can put it on it. Or maybe if I'm feeling really smart, I'll bring the sticker to work tomorrow.

To my beanee, I'm headed to a place where I'm hoping to acquire your beans today. As always I'm running behind but I'm still moving forward. Beans will happen.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:01 AM on December 7 [4 favorites]

My beans are on their way and thanks for the intel on the Canadian strike. My USPS postal worker said “Canada is closed” (I a sure this was hasty shorthand from a long day) and I was bewildered as this affects some of my cards, not my Secret Beans.
posted by childofTethys at 11:49 AM on December 8 [3 favorites]

Hey The Wrong Kind of Cheese!!! Rubydooby here, and so glad the gift made it safely to you! Yes, everything is wrapped inside the wrapped box, so please open and enjoy the anticipation.
I got an email letting me know that my surprise is on the way... Yippee!!!
posted by Rubydooby at 11:58 AM on December 8 [4 favorites]

Hello theBigRedKittyPurrs. I'm happy you liked the mug. There is a second part to the gift, but I had it shipped to myself and it's currently one state away...hope to get it to you soon. Cheers!
posted by homelystar at 5:48 PM on December 8 [4 favorites]

ZenMajek sent me the most delightful and fantastic 3-D printed set of figures, and I couldn't be happier if I tried! They designed and created a woman, sitting on a chair, arms stretched out as their butter-colored cat stretched their paws back at her. It's so beautiful and thoughtful, and the joy in the work is palatable. Thanks so very much, Zenmajek! You're the best!
posted by but no cigar at 11:21 PM on December 8 [6 favorites]

My beans arrived Saturday. Except it's not beans, it's cheese! From Wisconsin. And cheese curds, too. Can't wait to try those as I have never had cheese curds. Thanks Twicketface!
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 8:16 AM on December 9 [7 favorites]

The package I sent arrived at its Swiss destination on 6 December, super-quick given that Royal Mail was involved, at least at my end.
posted by essexjan at 11:31 AM on December 9 [5 favorites]

The package I sent arrived on the 5th, or so says USPS!
posted by centrifugal at 12:02 PM on December 9 [4 favorites]

My gift to my recipient is scheduled to arrive Wednesday! Ho ho ho, Merry Happy Beans!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:08 PM on December 9 [4 favorites]

Mine is too! Big day Wednesday!
posted by phunniemee at 2:50 PM on December 9 [4 favorites]

Huge thanks to my gifter who nailed it with a great book and extra item from my wish list and an awesome note letting me know more about them! I am not 100% sure they actually revealed their identity in the note, so gifter, I would absolutely love to connect with you here and please message me if you see this! I'll try sending a message to who I think you are directly, too :) Anyway I LOVE IT! Happy seasons to all!
posted by hansbrough at 9:06 PM on December 9 [5 favorites]

Cozenedindigo I love my Beansmas gift! The socks are just darn perfect (and are just what I need to get through some errr... challenging holiday visits) and the puzzle is really beautiful. It's been a hectic time and just looking at the picture is calming me down. Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful gift. It made my day.
A merry beansmas to all!!
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 10:35 PM on December 9 [4 favorites]

I received lovely tea! I don’t have the Mefi handle for the sender, so thank you, mystery mefite.

I away from home for a few weeks, but Mr. Nat is visiting so he brought the tea with him when we came to visit. As he said upon opening, “this smells really good”.

I tried the chocolate mint (mm), he tried the Christmas, and we both tried blueberry. So far the chocolate mint is my winner, and I’m very much looking forward to trying the rest.
posted by nat at 7:56 AM on December 10 [5 favorites]

Hi Nat!
I sent you the tea from a tea/coffee shop near where I used to work. I tried the Christmas tea myself while I was there. I don't drink tea, but whenever I get coffee from there, the smell fills my entire car.

On another note, I got my gift today from edencosmic, which were two bags of popcorn and chips from a local company west of DC (Route 11 Chips). I can't say I've ever had Old Bay flavored popcorn, I look forward to checking this out.
posted by greatalleycat at 11:37 AM on December 10 [6 favorites]

The package I sent is gaining wings at JFK airport, wave to the equator when you cross over into the summer hemisphere:)
posted by childofTethys at 12:12 PM on December 10 [3 favorites]

I just opened a great little package of stickers and chocolates from Kinsey! And somehow, there was a Smokey Bear sticker in there! I once got to work as Smokey Bear at the Minnesota State Fair on a very busy Labor Day, so that was a extra delight.
posted by advicepig at 12:43 PM on December 10 [5 favorites]

Sooooooo.......my gift allegedly shipped today (yay!) and is allegedly on its way, but with the Canada Post strike, I'm somewhat skeptical that it is actually moving. The merchant hasn't provided any tracking information yet, so imma follow up on that, but in the meantime, hold tight, dear beansee! You have not been forgotten, you just might be forced to exercise your patience a little...
posted by Dorinda at 12:58 PM on December 10 [4 favorites]

I got a really cute mini greenhouse kit to put together! It arrived with no box to the great confusion of the household until we noticed the label said giftswamp, without that we’d be texting around trying to solve the mystery.

Thank you mystery gifter!
posted by lepus at 7:05 PM on December 10 [4 favorites]

Wow! zekesonxx totally nailed it even though they were given an odd twist. I had asked for interesting local foods. The twist came when they saw that they lived in the same city I do! Regardless, they sent a variety of interesting foods, and I couldn't be more delighted.
posted by obol at 7:20 PM on December 10 [5 favorites]

I received a lovely enamel pin wishing me a nice day in Norwegian (a language I am learning)! There wasn’t a note so I’m not sure who to thank but I love it! Thank you!
posted by meggan at 2:59 AM on December 11 [5 favorites]

Just an update for SunPower, if anyone is in touch with SunPower or SunPower stops by here. I am your Secret Sock Full of Beans and I just wanted to update you that I haven't got the gift in the mail yet because there's been a delay in sourcing part of it, but I anticipate getting it in the mail this week!
posted by Sock Full of Secret Beans at 11:19 AM on December 11 [4 favorites]

Hello! I received a lovely gift that included a very cool candle sampler from Cantrip Candles in Los Angeles, and a wonderful spice/seasoning sampler from All Spicery in Sacramento.

Unfortunately I couldn't find reference to who sent it anywhere in the package. Thanks so much, mystery MeFite!
posted by kensington314 at 11:23 AM on December 11 [6 favorites]

Major thanks to Pretty Good Talker, who sent me some Tea, Earl Grey, Hot leaves and the Avatar: The Last Airbender cookbook! I'm already excited to start making recipes out of it.
posted by zekesonxx at 12:57 PM on December 11 [5 favorites]

I just received what I am 99% sure is my beansmas package, but I miscalculated the time it would take to acquire my beansee’s gift and won’t be able to ship it out till Saturday. Gonna hold off on opening my gift to save it as a reward for mailing my package out and (hopefully) finalizing my application for grad school.
posted by ActionPopulated at 2:04 PM on December 11 [6 favorites]

Thank you so much Halloween Jack! Earl Grey is a favorite in our household and your new recipe is delicious! The book is wonderful and I am sure it will quickly become a must-read for my nephew when he visits. Well chosen and full of joy 🤩. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
posted by ZenMajek at 3:19 PM on December 11 [6 favorites]

essexjan, thank you for the beautiful wooden bowl from your local forest! Your description of the place was so vivid that I can almost see it when I close my eyes. Maybe someday I’ll get to see it for myself. In the meantime, purely by coincidence I’ve been in need of a sturdy trinket dish for my keys, so I’ll be using the bowl every day. The salted caramel popcorn is also very much appreciated!
posted by bettafish at 3:54 PM on December 11 [6 favorites]

Hey Sweetie Darling , darling thank you so much for the handcrafted and handmade items! Totally unexpected but they're really hitting the emotional sweet spot, thank you!

If you sell things like this, I'd recommend putting a link to them in your profile!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:41 PM on December 11 [6 favorites]

Gifter, it got here! Need to wait to open it but even just seeing the box cheers me greatly. So preliminary thanks for that, and a joyful beantide to you & yours.
posted by miles per flower at 6:27 PM on December 11 [6 favorites]

Hi homelystar! I love the mug even more, now that I found the FC Barcelona minifig! I gave kiddo the minifig as that is his favorite team. The mug will be decorated and taken to the office, so I can be the envy of my LEGO loving (seriously, there are a bunch of us with little builds on our respective desks) coworkers.

Thanks again!
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:53 AM on December 12 [6 favorites]

I got my Gift Swap gift yesterday, coincidentally the same day I got mine in the mail. I was lucky enough to get oomny as my gifter -- they are an amazing artist, and I am so thrilled to have some of their pieces! Photos here - I got a tea towel with a double cormorant print, a painting of a blue-headed vireo on a tulip poplar leaf, and some assorted prints on note cards. On top of that, I also got a set of super neat S&P shakers and coffee that i can't wait to try. Thank you so much oomny, I am feeling extremely grateful for all of it. <3
posted by Sparky Buttons at 7:40 AM on December 12 [7 favorites]

Many thanks to hansbrough for the gift of delicious chocolates. These "many pleasantly chewy delights" are just what I needed to go with my afternoon coffee.

I am enjoying some right now as a listen to the cold Winter wind outside. Happy solsticetide to all!
posted by jason6 at 10:49 AM on December 12 [6 favorites]

I've been gifted by PearlRose!!!

Two different local pecan-based treats and a delightful crochet'd chibi dinosaur 🥹 As a Midwesterner who grew up in the south, yes I agree, ranch flavor pecans does seem wildly appropriate. These will get eaten very quickly, I'm sure.

Very importantly, the chibi dinosaur has taken pride of place in my living room. She's got the perfect dimensions to stand resolute in my little moon thingy, replacing the other dinosaur stuffy I had there before who kept tipping over. Perfect.

Thank you, PearlRose!!
posted by phunniemee at 12:45 PM on December 12 [8 favorites]

Yay! Glad you liked it SB!

My beansmas gift arrived today and was perfect! A Bird Nerd magnet, a handmade felt/plush bird, and a mini stress ball in the shape of a lemon. I love everything! Thanks, beccasaurus!
posted by oomny at 3:31 PM on December 12 [6 favorites]

I am so happy you like the bowl, bettafish, the forest is so important to me, so being able to share a tiny piece of it with someone means a lot. And it's the perfect size for a key bowl. The popcorn almost didn't make it into the box, but I managed to resist eating it!
posted by essexjan at 3:50 PM on December 12 [6 favorites]

Thanks to jeoc for the cute turtle box, the equally cute little things, and the (not cute, but tasty) chocolate!
posted by thomas j wise at 4:50 PM on December 12 [4 favorites]

Thank you, meggan, for the handmade soap and coffee and all the other lovely gifts from Idaho! The huckleberry jam and caramels brought back memories of a childhood camping trip to the Dolly Sods wilderness in West Virginia, where all the cousins and their parents picked wild huckleberries; our moms took them home and froze them and we ate them for months. I'm looking forward to sipping some coffee and spreading some of that jam on a warm biscuit!
posted by apartment dweller at 7:16 PM on December 12 [6 favorites]

Yay!!! I’m so glad you are excited for the huckleberry stuff, apartment dweller! What a lovely memory. You’re very welcome!
posted by meggan at 12:52 AM on December 13 [4 favorites]

Thanks to jeoc for the cute turtle box

I’m hoping it’s clear that it is a desktop zen garden in the shape of a children’s sandbox, with kinetic sand so that the shapes are persistent.

Hope you enjoy!!
posted by jeoc at 4:48 AM on December 13 [4 favorites]

The hot ranch pecans were so good and I'm going to try to recreate them myself 👅
posted by phunniemee at 11:21 AM on December 13 [4 favorites]

Now for one of my favorite parts of the swap: DATA!
(I kid, I kid......or do I)

Secret Beans Stats as of 12/13/2024
48 of 136 Received (35%)
97 of 136 Sent (71%)
15 of 136 Shipping Delayed (11%) (Mostly Due to the Canada Post Strike)
0 Second Chancer Engaged

CONGRATS to JiffyQ for being our fastest Gifter to send and have their gift received to date!
posted by RhysPenbras at 12:13 PM on December 13 [8 favorites]

Belated thanks to theBigRedKittyPurrs for a charming assortment of cards and postcards by paper artist Go Carr Go! I'm a Pittsburgher by marriage and several cards refer to city landmarks - and one has a quote from the GOAT, Mr. Rogers. A wonderful addition to my stationery collection - cards I like too much to send away are my favorite!
posted by Sweetie Darling at 1:25 PM on December 13 [3 favorites]

Yay! Sweetie Darling I’m so glad you like them. I had a blast picking them out for you.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 2:46 PM on December 13 [3 favorites]

theBigRedKittyPurrs, you're most welcome, and gift part 2 was mailed & trackinatored today.
posted by homelystar at 3:09 PM on December 13 [2 favorites]

Hooray! Hooray! My Secret Bean box greeted me on my doorstep today (squeal) and it's calling me from under the tree! I am trying not to hear it as I want to wait til THE DAY... But if I fail... well, I'll let you know post-haste. Thank you Radha for making the magic happen. I'll catch up with you later.
posted by Rubydooby at 3:43 PM on December 13 [3 favorites]

Fond gratitude to jedicus for an exceptional bounty of beautiful things. There’s wood, paper, wax, leather and glass. There are redolent scents and blissful flavors. I’m overwhelmed and delighted. Thank you so much!
posted by obloquy at 4:54 PM on December 13 [3 favorites]

meggan, that was me! I'm so glad you like it! And also that it arrived; I didn't realize until after I'd ordered it that it was shipping from Norway, and the tracking was ... not good. And there should've been a note!

There is also another package coming, though it was ordered later and thus will also arrive later.
posted by dizziest at 5:25 PM on December 13 [4 favorites]

I have received my gift, but I haven’t opened it yet. I get so few actual surprises at Christmas that I just want to save this one a little longer.
posted by guster4lovers at 6:16 PM on December 13 [7 favorites]

phunniemee - I did a little squeal of delight when I saw that the lovely dinosaur friend had been given such a place of great importance in your home.

Your contributions are an absolute delight, and it was so much fun wandering around my local craft fair finding your gifts last weekend! I am so glad that they hit the spot nicely for you.
posted by PearlRose at 7:52 PM on December 13 [5 favorites]

Cam(?) from Kansas City, thank you for my wonderful 20 sided die holder, now I can test my luck ANYWHERE!
posted by TheCoug at 6:28 AM on December 14 [3 favorites]

Thank you, Monster_Zero!

He send me a set of cute Christmas sun catchers . They look great in my south facing window and are sure to bring us cheer for many years to come. I love them!!!

The package also included a nice note and photo of the Canadian praries (I love a wide open landscape!) and neat sketch of the family. Happy holidays to them as well!
posted by vespabelle at 8:08 AM on December 14 [4 favorites]

Thank you yarntheory! I opened my gift and was looking it over and smiling when my teen said, well, what is it? Galactic Hellcats!!! (A book by Marie Vibbert) and some fab bookmarks, yay!!!!

This just the romp of a sci-fi read that I plan to enjoy over winter break, and of course I put North Continent Ribbon on my To Read list. Happy Beansmas to you too!
posted by childofTethys at 9:21 AM on December 14 [4 favorites]

…and it’s signed by the author with a solo-flyer rocket, that will teach me to look at the title page :D
posted by childofTethys at 9:50 AM on December 14 [3 favorites]

I've received a large box of beans from miles per flower! Thank you! I'm going to wait until Christmas Day to open because my under-tree area is sparse. :-)
(miles per flower, please send me a memail if I shouldn't delay opening.)
posted by erloteiel at 1:19 PM on December 14 [4 favorites]

I got an excellent package from nkknkk, with tiny jams, many stickers (all themed to my interests and where i live!), candles that float, and a tiny toy gun that shoots exactly the kind of fluffballs my cat loves best. I am especially excited about the tiny jams--it's like nkknkk somehow knew that I waffled over getting the bonne maman advent calendar this year because I love tiny pots of jam but also have learned that 24 is really too many tiny pots of jam. thank you!! and many thanks to your daughter for making the card!!
posted by dizziest at 11:52 AM on December 15 [4 favorites]

HOLY MOLY phunniemee !

Despite the best attempts of the United States Postal Service to foil her plan, I received a box today -- on Sunday! -- from phunniemee which is positively bursting with fun things. There's treats and snacks and a game for the family to play -- which is good, because when the college kid arrives mid-week we will all six be here and looking for diversions!

It seems that she picked out some of her favorites as well as a few...adventures. What phunniemee didn't know is that I love the city of Chicago irrationally, based on a few visits there as a kid to visit my favorite aunt -- so every thing that she picked out was a home run.

The fig-flavored Oreos, the fettuccini gummy worms, the chili crisp (which even on a Ritz cracker is SO GOOD -- possibly a new favorite), the tajin seasoning (how did she know that since going vegetarian we eat so much Mexican food?), the weird French chicken Pringles....so much fun in one box.

And the handsome houndstooth wrapping paper -- expertly applied to all those cylinders -- put me in mind of the cheerful, pink wrapping paper that my MiL used for years, which she picked out because it was on clearance but which we all loved because it was decorated with a grid of skulls.

Just this morning, my wife said wistfully, "I wish someone would send me an unexpected gift" -- and then this arrived. Thank you so much, my home abounds in Quonsmas Secret Beans!!
posted by wenestvedt at 1:06 PM on December 15 [5 favorites]

I received my lovely gift and it's a tremendously cute (and soft!) stuffed dinosaur named Bronti! He absolutely rules and is filling a void I didn't know I had. Much thanks to my gifter - will think of you often as I gaze upon him next to him on my work desk.

Apologies for the delayed acknowledgment - he arrived while I was on vacation and kept in good care at the USPS until delivery yesterday. Thanks again!
posted by Twicketface at 1:36 PM on December 15 [4 favorites]

Yay, wenestvedt! Hopefully there's enough in there your family can enjoy a few things and there's still plenty left for you.

I suspect the shipping delay is penance for when the postal worker asked me "any liquids in this?" and I said "what? haha no! ha! what?" Really glad the chili crisp made it through without breaking.

p.s. No such thing as loving Chicago irrationally.
posted by phunniemee at 3:48 PM on December 15 [5 favorites]

I returned from a short business trip yesterday to find that my gift had arrived from initapplette! I am delighted with the coziest winter-themed socks (infused with aloe!) and a (now somewhat diminished) bag of Lake Champlain chocolates. Thank you!

My giftee's package is tracking for delivery tomorrow.
posted by rekrap at 4:21 PM on December 15 [5 favorites]

Yay @dizziest I'm glad the box arrived and that the jams were a good addition! I had an irrationally great time finding stickers that I thought would match what I learned about you. I hope you have a great holiday season!
posted by nkknkk at 4:32 PM on December 15 [4 favorites]

Thank you EpinardHagen for the games!! More for my backlog yay haha
posted by creatrixtiara at 9:30 PM on December 15 [2 favorites]

childofTethys, I don't know if you're familiar with the TV series Parks and Rec, but one of the running gags is how Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is annoyingly good at gift giving, so no matter what you get her she gives you some amazing present that's like 10 times better.
For some reason, your gift reminded me of this…
I was floored by the stamps, alone, plus all the great anarchist, marxist, and musical stuff inside. I do play guitar and bass, and the books are amazing. So are the picks, bumper stickers, postcards, rubber duck and chicken, liberal spices, etc.
Thank you so much!
posted by signal at 6:31 AM on December 16 [4 favorites]

TheCoug made me a handmade gorgeous box as well as 4 handmade carved stamps with The Golden Girls' faces on them! Incredible. Still am in awe at 1. how accurate the face stamps are, and 2. how you got the amazing pattern on the box. A lovely note as well. Thank you so, so much!
posted by knownassociate at 8:29 AM on December 16 [5 favorites]

I am looking at this thread for gift ideas. Please feel free to post links and photos! And thank you all for letting me enjoy the experience this way!
posted by amtho at 9:50 AM on December 16 [4 favorites]

I received the most amazing biking-related handmade potholder today from vespabelle. I can't wait to use it! Also included was a great (possibly?) vintage notepad and some tea.

Thank you so very much!
posted by chiefthe at 10:03 AM on December 16 [5 favorites]

Oh my goodness rekrap's gift was packed with all the best beans - including a box of homemade cookies that I am not telling anyone in my household about... among other things, it includes the tube-stencil-press kind my grandmother used to make!! And what is IN these white frosted ones because YUMMM (alas they were the first to go). Plus a very pretty soft blanket, awesome craft (sharpies ftw) and a fantastically useful bamboo box!! It really made my day. Thank you!
posted by nkknkk at 1:20 PM on December 16 [5 favorites]

You are so very welcome, nkknkk! The white frosted cookies are these except I mixed some lemon zest with turbinado sugar for the garnish on the frosting. The lemons grow in my yard!
posted by rekrap at 1:44 PM on December 16 [2 favorites]

It's here! It's here! My dog Murphy and I were QUITE SPOILED by gentlyepigrams and her cats!

I received a gorgeous notebook from the Dallas Museum of art (one can NEVER have too many notebooks!), two pencils from UT (hook 'em!), and two festively-adorned jars of Mexican hot chocolate.

Murphy received two balls (he loves balls!) and an amazing lil' fox hat!

Happiest of holidays to you and yours and thank you so much! <3
posted by kimberussell at 3:52 PM on December 16 [7 favorites]

Today, having finally gotten my belated gift out (sorry recipient! USPS estimates delivery on Monday, though I’m hoping it may arrive early for a beansmas miracle) and finished 2/3 of the remaining bits of my grad school application, I turned my attention to my gift.

IT WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT! Ilicet sent me some little packets of nuts in fun flavors, fun stickers, and a bullet journal. How did you know that I was just looking back at my ask from a few years ago about getting in the habit of using a planner and thinking “you know, it didn’t 100% take that time, but that was my best effort to date and I want to try again?” Now I have a shiny new bullet journal to try and tame my schedule for the upcoming year.
Also, ilicet was one of my first gift recipients in one of my earliest years doing this swap. It’s fun when things come full circle.
posted by ActionPopulated at 5:40 PM on December 16 [4 favorites]

test
posted by taz (staff) at 8:00 AM on December 17 [1 favorite]

Thank you, taz!
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 12:05 PM on December 17 [1 favorite]

I was out of the house for a few days so I don't know when they actually arrived, but thank you to whoever gave me the Emott fineliner pens! I quickly tested them but I'm looking forward to using them!
posted by edencosmic at 1:25 PM on December 17 [2 favorites]

Many thanks to lord_wolf whose gift of a tea towel and a cutting board, both marked with maps of Vermont are an excellent fit with what I listed, and were welcomed by both me and my SO. She does like a novel tea towel, and the board is likely to be elevated to cheese board over Xmas. Many thanks!
posted by biffa at 1:34 PM on December 17 [2 favorites]

Matching apologies also to my giftee. I posted weeks ago but the carrier has screwed it up, and now the post office is blaming some third party and the third party seems to be uncontactable. Its still showing as in their system but not moving forward at the moment.
posted by biffa at 1:37 PM on December 17 [2 favorites]

I don't want to share the real name on my gift but I'm assuming it's from a mefite! Thanks to the person who sent me a lovely mug with Diego Rivera art on it - it's excellent and now I'm going to read up about the murals!
posted by brilliantine at 3:14 PM on December 17 [3 favorites]

In my guidance I asked for things I couldn't get in Minnesota because I enjoy travelling, even vicariously. advicepig lives a few miles away from me but managed to use that guidance anyway! They sent an ornament from a local Native market (representing our land) and some very nice bowls (representing their heritage). They are all fantastic and lovely. Mrs. Wreckage already laid claim to one of the bowls and will be having egg flower or miso soup in it very soon. The origin and gifter of the ornament will be remembered each year as we put up the tree and reminisce about where our various ornaments all came from. Thanks advicepig!!
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 9:03 PM on December 17 [3 favorites]

Thanks to the person who sent me a lovely mug with Diego Rivera art on it

Yay. Tis me! (I?) The Rivera murals are iconic in Detroit. I worked at the museum some years ago, and even met one of Rivera's assistants on the project. So it's a personal connection for me.
posted by NorthernLite at 3:42 AM on December 18 [3 favorites]

Thank you to the anonymous MeFite who sent me super juicy gummy bears and an array of cat-themed pens! I'm especially partial to the silver one that says, "I can't, my cat said no."

That was me! I was giggling when I found the pens, they were great.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:37 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]

Finally managed to collect my package from the post office! Thank you bettafish for the lovely gifts! I already tried the roiboos tea mix and it's as delicious as it sounded, I can't wait to try the sun print papers when it is sunny again, and the stitch markers are so cute but really had a "wow" escape my lips for the card with the cross stitch design, absolutely amazing! Merci grazie thank you so so much, really cheered me up
posted by bitteschoen at 7:06 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]

AdvicePig - that's great about the Smoky the Bear synchronicity!

Big thanks to my beanser who gifted me some delicious fancy teas AND the world's cutest enormous desk/mouse pad with happy kitties on it. It's just the thing to brighten up my tippy-typing all day. Yay beans!
posted by kinsey at 10:12 AM on December 18 [3 favorites]

I got my beansmas gift today! No note, but it came from Austin TX and it was a lovely mug, a coaster on which to set said mug, and some red plum jam which looks mighty tasty! You've done very well!
posted by deezil at 4:26 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]

Beanmas gifter, I am on my way out of the house and had to put the delightful gifts where kitties would not inspect (they showed remarkable interest) but I will inspect and come back with more thanks later. THANK YOU!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 4:45 PM on December 18 [2 favorites]

Thanks to Nat for the chocolate and the Bunny calendar! Needless to say the calendar will likely last longer than the chocolate. ^_^
posted by gtrwolf at 10:00 PM on December 18 [2 favorites]

I am not sure who my beanser was (and I stupidly threw out the box with the return label). I haven't opened my gifts yet but wanted to say thanks ahead of time!
posted by Saucywench at 11:34 AM on December 19

A few years agothe wrong kind of cheese absolutely crushed it. I don't know if it's happy coincidence or you rooted around in my profile to find I'm from Michigan, but I'm delighted by the Yooperlite! (Love the other rocks, to be clear, but Yooperlite has been on my to-collect list for a while.)

and if you have any friends/family who play collectible card games and are a bit superstitious, have them bring you with them when they go to pick out packs to open. I opened a card that is almost certainly worth several dollars more than whatever you paid for it. :)
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 12:10 PM on December 19 [1 favorite]

Dear tangaroo, having come back and slept until noon, I have now opened your lovely box. Thank you! Kitties are super excited about the catnip blend, which explains why they were so interested in the box. Also they LOVE little balls, especially new kitten Sid. I love the polish and am putting it in my purse for my next pedicure! And I am excited to try the Penzey's spice blends--I have long been interested in them but have never actually bought any.

Last but not least, I love the washi tape, which will be super useful for craft projects in 2025, and I am about to burn the lovely candle. Your package made my day and was a perfect beginning to our holiday vacation (spouse is off until after the 25th). Thanks again for an excellent swap gift!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 1:04 PM on December 19 [2 favorites]

My secret bean package arrived today! There’s a lovely wrapped package I might declare a solstice gift so I can open it and find out what it is (and maybe who it’s from) tomorrow!

The person I gifted to hasn’t checked in here to say they got the package, although it was delivered. I’m hoping it actually got to them!
posted by centrifugal at 3:46 PM on December 19

the demon that lives in the air, I am so freakin' delighted that the gifts are right for you. I enjoyed doing the background research and getting to know various shop owners and their advice. But to be fair, I did much more research into the stones; "cool" is subjective, but I figured "glow under black light" had to count as cool, and Yooperite was a funny name.

For the cards, I just kept asking store owners to explain how the game worked, and then picked the packaging that had a shade of blue closest to your preference. That the contents of the package made for a good fit is a true bonus! Yay!

May all your beans come true!
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 9:10 PM on December 19

Another week of Gifting means another week of DATA!

Secret Beans Stats as of 12/20/2024
74 of 136 Received (54%)
123 of 136 Sent (90%)
10 of 136 Shipping Delayed (7%)
0 Second Chancers Engaged

Thank you friends, Happy Holidays!
posted by RhysPenbras at 6:38 AM on December 20 [3 favorites]

Mine apparently arrived yesterday but I have not yet seen it - my partner picked it up and left it in his mom's car. The itch of knowing it's here! So close!
posted by Lawn Beaver at 6:41 AM on December 20

Legume tell you a story about the lovely package I've received from entropyiswinning that includes some things near and dear to my beansy widdle heart. A dark chocolate candy cane bar, a packet of pencils that look like six different tree types, and a colorful set of three soft-sided notebooks containing blank and ruled pages! If getting beansed in this manner is wrong, I don't wanna be right. Thank you thank you! :-D
posted by initapplette at 11:55 AM on December 20

Ahhhh thank you thank you RhysPenbras! I was feeling curmudgeonly when I wrote my guidance paragraph and you caught the spirit of it so so well! No plastic, only fur and teeth and stone (well, and soap). I love the coyote-skin bag, the okra seeds, the fossil tooth. Thank you!!
posted by Lawn Beaver at 12:03 PM on December 20

My gift arrived today, in three parts with lovely wrapping paper. I will wait until Christmas to open the gifts. I'll also wait to open the card, lest there be spoilers therein.

Thank you, and I can't wait to open! I'll be back next week for the update.
posted by jgirl at 12:42 PM on December 20

Thank you, thank you Sparky Buttons for the lovely, thoughtful gifts! I feel like I received them from a MeFi celebrity! I so appreciate the beautiful dish and honey with spoon from
the local market and the mini Tony's --the best chocs. Thank you, thank you!!
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:43 PM on December 20

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