November 23rd, 2008 / 8:03 pm
 Web Hype

HTMLGIANT is Secret Santa

Dear Readers,

We are pleased to announce our First Annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange to support independent literature.

Here’s how it works:

1) If you want to participate, email your name and mailing address to htmlgiant@gmail.com with the subject line: SECRET SANTA. The due date for this is Midnight on Friday, December 5th.

2) As soon as possible, we email you the name and address of your assigned gift recipient.

3) We assign your name and address to another Secret Santa.

4) By Christmas, you purchase for your gift recipient a wonderful gift and email us to let us know what you got him or her.

5) You simultaneously enjoy the gift that you receive from your own Secret Santa.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

So why a Secret Santa gift exchange?

We at HTMLGIANT enjoy two things: promoting independent literature and surprising people. We figured a Secret Santa thing might allow us to do both. We hope that by doing this we can get independent literature into everyone’s faces, but in a way that would expose those faces to new, unheard of things. That’s the surprise part.

So what should I buy for my gift recipient?

Well sure, we have some suggestions. Buy a subscription to your favorite independent journal. Or buy a subscription to an independent journal you’ve heard good things about. Buy a book from one of the many small presses around the scene. Buy a book by an independent author. Buy a book in translation. Buy an anthology of work published by one of the many online literary journals. We can’t make you do any of this, really, but you should know that we certainly hope you’ll consider something of the sort. That was our intention. Maybe we’ll come up with a list of suggestions?

When should I buy and send my gift?

We don’t really know. We’re not very good at logistical problems. If you’re buying a subscription online, you could technically wait until Christmas Eve to pull out the credit card. But then your gift recipient wouldn’t have anything in hand to read and enjoy that morning. In this case, it might be worthwhile to send him or her an email and say, “Hey, guess what? I’m your Secret Santa and I just bought you a year’s subscription to such and such magazine.” If you’re buying him or her a book, maybe you should purchase it a week or two ahead and have the press/journal mail it directly. If you’re planning to mail it on your own, don’t wait until the last minute. There’s really no excuse not to. You have all you need to send the gift: a name and a mailing address. And remember, a late gift is better than no gift at all.

How do I learn the identity of my Secret Santa so that I can thank him or her?

Because HTMLGIANT will know who is paired with whom and what gifts everyone received, we will post a massive list on Christmas morning of all of the exchanges that occurred. Then you can comment on the list and post your thanks. Ultimately, we’d like to give everyone an idea as to how much cool stuff was received, how many independent presses and journals and authors benefited from your goodwill, how many people are into reading independent literature.

What if I already own what my Secret Santa purchased for me?

If you find out that you already own the gift, we encourage you to regift it to someone else. You might also consider commenting on our massive post to say how happy you are to receive such a wonderful gift, but that you already own it and would be willing to set up a trade with someone else. The idea here is to create some chaotic sort of gift exchange. In order to do that, we ask that you embrace the giving spirit of the holidays.

How can I avoid giving someone a gift that they already own?

Good question. We struggled over this one and came up with this: we recommend that you get people things they’d likely not have, such as a subscription to a small magazine you think you’ve discovered on your own, or a book just released by a small press. Check out catalogues to see what books have just come out.

 

 

So, that’s all. We really do hope you’ll consider participating. And spread the word. The more people, the better. If you have any other questions, please email us.

Tags: ,

120 Comments

  1. November 24th, 2008 / 12:17 am Blake Butler—

      what a photo

  2. November 23rd, 2008 / 8:17 pm Blake Butler—

      what a photo

  3. November 24th, 2008 / 12:33 am jh—

      what about unabombers

  4. November 23rd, 2008 / 8:33 pm jh—

      what about unabombers

  5. November 24th, 2008 / 12:34 am Ryan Call—

      only allowed if they support indie lit

  6. November 23rd, 2008 / 8:34 pm Ryan Call—

      only allowed if they support indie lit

  7. November 24th, 2008 / 1:06 am Matt—

      I love that the photo is a pope santa. I heard he’s a bad ass. He gives kids gifts after he touches them.

  8. November 23rd, 2008 / 9:06 pm Matt—

      I love that the photo is a pope santa. I heard he’s a bad ass. He gives kids gifts after he touches them.

  9. November 24th, 2008 / 1:14 am Cliff Garstang—

      Bah Humbug. Except for this. This is cool.

  10. November 23rd, 2008 / 9:14 pm Cliff Garstang—

      Bah Humbug. Except for this. This is cool.

  11. November 24th, 2008 / 1:42 am Julia Cohen—

      I’m sorry, did you decide to call it Secret Santa because Secret Jewbag was already taken?

  12. November 23rd, 2008 / 9:42 pm Julia Cohen—

      I’m sorry, did you decide to call it Secret Santa because Secret Jewbag was already taken?

  13. November 24th, 2008 / 8:44 am Molly Gaudry—

      I love this. At least maybe it’ll be a merry Christmas
      : )

      even though it’s going to be a lonely Thanksgiving.
      : (

  14. November 24th, 2008 / 4:44 am Molly Gaudry—

      I love this. At least maybe it’ll be a merry Christmas
      : )

      even though it’s going to be a lonely Thanksgiving.
      : (

  15. November 24th, 2008 / 8:45 am Molly Gaudry—

      Excuse me: A merry winter…

  16. November 24th, 2008 / 4:45 am Molly Gaudry—

      Excuse me: A merry winter…

  17. November 24th, 2008 / 9:37 am matthew savoca—

      8 crazy nights

  18. November 24th, 2008 / 5:37 am matthew savoca—

      8 crazy nights

  19. November 24th, 2008 / 5:20 pm jereme—

      Ryan,

      I like this idea.

  20. November 24th, 2008 / 1:20 pm jereme—

      Ryan,

      I like this idea.

  21. November 24th, 2008 / 1:45 pm matthew savoca—

      someone at htmlgiant should compile a list of indie presses that are currently accepting booklength manuscript submissions. this same person, or other people too, should update this list frequently. the list should be categorized and very formal. this should be one of the chief duties of htmlgiant forever.

  22. November 24th, 2008 / 5:45 pm matthew savoca—

      someone at htmlgiant should compile a list of indie presses that are currently accepting booklength manuscript submissions. this same person, or other people too, should update this list frequently. the list should be categorized and very formal. this should be one of the chief duties of htmlgiant forever.

  23. November 24th, 2008 / 5:46 pm Alicia—

      support indie literature
      with ribbons and glitter!

  24. November 24th, 2008 / 1:46 pm Alicia—

      support indie literature
      with ribbons and glitter!

  25. November 24th, 2008 / 6:48 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Matthew: Tell that person to add Keyhole to their list.

      Alicia: Yes! Pink!

  26. November 24th, 2008 / 2:48 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Matthew: Tell that person to add Keyhole to their list.

      Alicia: Yes! Pink!

  27. November 24th, 2008 / 6:50 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Sorry, haven’t slept in awhile: Tell that person to add Keyhole to her or his list.
      I fucking hate typos.

  28. November 24th, 2008 / 2:50 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Sorry, haven’t slept in awhile: Tell that person to add Keyhole to her or his list.
      I fucking hate typos.

  29. November 24th, 2008 / 6:57 pm barry—

      molly:

      why a lonely thanksgiving. you wanna come to my grannies?

  30. November 24th, 2008 / 2:57 pm barry—

      molly:

      why a lonely thanksgiving. you wanna come to my grannies?

  31. November 24th, 2008 / 7:25 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Barry, That is so sweet! I bet your grandmother has the best recipes. I have to work, and who’s going to come in during dinnertime? Nobody. If only I were still bartending, I’d be having a much better week. I’d buy myself a warm pair of boots.

  32. November 24th, 2008 / 3:25 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Barry, That is so sweet! I bet your grandmother has the best recipes. I have to work, and who’s going to come in during dinnertime? Nobody. If only I were still bartending, I’d be having a much better week. I’d buy myself a warm pair of boots.

  33. November 24th, 2008 / 7:27 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Barry, by the way: I still haven’t heard from you know where. What’s that about?

  34. November 24th, 2008 / 3:27 pm Molly Gaudry—

      Barry, by the way: I still haven’t heard from you know where. What’s that about?

  35. November 25th, 2008 / 1:16 am barry—

      my grandmother is amish. she cooks well.

      thats odd that you havent heard from them yet. email that one guy. he’ll give you the scoop.

  36. November 24th, 2008 / 9:16 pm barry—

      my grandmother is amish. she cooks well.

      thats odd that you havent heard from them yet. email that one guy. he’ll give you the scoop.

  37. November 25th, 2008 / 4:07 am Molly Gaudry—

      I’ll bet she does.

      Okay, I’ll let you know when I know.

  38. November 25th, 2008 / 12:07 am Molly Gaudry—

      I’ll bet she does.

      Okay, I’ll let you know when I know.

  39. November 25th, 2008 / 10:17 pm Leigh Stein—

      If I’m Jewish, do I get eight presents?

  40. November 25th, 2008 / 6:17 pm Leigh Stein—

      If I’m Jewish, do I get eight presents?

  41. November 25th, 2008 / 11:46 pm Ryan Call—

      hmmm, i did not think this out very well.

      i cannot promise 8 presents, but there could be a ‘snafu’ with the gift assigning…

  42. November 25th, 2008 / 7:46 pm Ryan Call—

      hmmm, i did not think this out very well.

      i cannot promise 8 presents, but there could be a ‘snafu’ with the gift assigning…

  43. November 26th, 2008 / 9:20 am Secret Santa « Feel Good Lost—

      […] November 26, 2008 by rachelmallino I am SO participating. And you should, too. […]

  44. November 26th, 2008 / 3:38 pm Leigh Stein—

      It’s okay. I’m only Jewish when someone asks, “Are you Jewish?” But really I celebrate Christmas. I was just trying to work the system.

  45. November 26th, 2008 / 11:38 am Leigh Stein—

      It’s okay. I’m only Jewish when someone asks, “Are you Jewish?” But really I celebrate Christmas. I was just trying to work the system.

  46. November 26th, 2008 / 10:49 pm Rachel—

      Great idea, Ryan.

  47. November 26th, 2008 / 6:49 pm Rachel—

      Great idea, Ryan.

  48. November 27th, 2008 / 3:28 am zach—

      i’m more for the secrets than the santas

  49. November 26th, 2008 / 11:28 pm zach—

      i’m more for the secrets than the santas

  50. November 27th, 2008 / 4:20 am Ryan Call—

      maybe we could do something like that too

      email matthew simmons for blind(secret)items

  51. November 27th, 2008 / 12:20 am Ryan Call—

      maybe we could do something like that too

      email matthew simmons for blind(secret)items

  52. November 27th, 2008 / 12:32 am <HTMLGIANT> » Blog Archive » A Thanksgiving Post: Secret Santa Update—

      […] you everyone who has signed up so far for the HTMLGIANT Secret Santa Gift Exchange for Independent Literature. As of right now, we have 59 people signed up to take part in the gift exchange, including some […]

  53. November 28th, 2008 / 3:18 pm Barrelhouse » Blog Archive » Be an Indie Lit Secret Santa with HTML Giant—

      […] folks at HTML Giant have launched a cool project Secret Santa project. As the name might suggest, it’s a secret santa thing, with books. Just send them an email […]

  54. November 28th, 2008 / 5:04 pm shawn—

      neat idea.

  55. November 28th, 2008 / 9:04 pm shawn—

      neat idea.

  56. November 28th, 2008 / 7:28 pm Secret Santa!—

      […] I signed up. How about you? […]

  57. November 28th, 2008 / 11:29 pm cari—

      Great idea! I’ve signed up and blogged it…

  58. November 28th, 2008 / 7:29 pm cari—

      Great idea! I’ve signed up and blogged it…

  59. November 29th, 2008 / 12:24 am moebius—

      Soo… got any list of suggested indie publishers? I don’t really know of any, and might just be inclined to order from a mainstream distributor like Amazon.com or B&N.

  60. November 28th, 2008 / 8:24 pm moebius—

      Soo… got any list of suggested indie publishers? I don’t really know of any, and might just be inclined to order from a mainstream distributor like Amazon.com or B&N.

  61. November 29th, 2008 / 5:41 am Lakin Khan—

      oooohh! I’m always ready to play Secret Santa! and with books/mags/journals, wow! count me in! And no, I’m not a real Muslim. But once my husband was, I mean, once I had a husband who was, but I’m over it now.
      gonna blog this too, it’s such a cool idea.

  62. November 29th, 2008 / 1:41 am Lakin Khan—

      oooohh! I’m always ready to play Secret Santa! and with books/mags/journals, wow! count me in! And no, I’m not a real Muslim. But once my husband was, I mean, once I had a husband who was, but I’m over it now.
      gonna blog this too, it’s such a cool idea.

  63. December 1st, 2008 / 9:36 pm leslie shipman—

      nice.

  64. December 1st, 2008 / 5:36 pm leslie shipman—

      nice.

  65. December 1st, 2008 / 9:36 pm Secret Santa « NCBPMA Book Blog—

      […] you’re looking for some holiday magic, HTML GIANT is doing a Secret Santa of their own. Support your independent booksellers/writers/publishers/etc. […]

  66. December 2nd, 2008 / 3:01 am <HTMLGIANT> » Blog Archive » 100 Secret Santas and counting…—

      […] right. 100 of you have signed up for our Secret Santa Gift Exchange for Independent Literature. Things are […]

  67. December 2nd, 2008 / 5:05 pm aaron gilbreath—

      ooh ooh, great idea. just climbed on back of santa’s bike.

  68. December 2nd, 2008 / 1:05 pm aaron gilbreath—

      ooh ooh, great idea. just climbed on back of santa’s bike.

  69. December 2nd, 2008 / 5:20 pm <HTMLGIANT> » Blog Archive » MASSIVE PEOPLE(5): Interviewers Around The Web—

      […] we are bad at checking our email. Things are a little disorganized at the moment (except for Secret Santa, which is really really organized – I’m […]

  70. December 3rd, 2008 / 11:40 pm Kevin—

      Do you have anyone in England looking to do this? Cos I’m one of them…

  71. December 3rd, 2008 / 7:40 pm Kevin—

      Do you have anyone in England looking to do this? Cos I’m one of them…

  72. December 3rd, 2008 / 11:50 pm the scowl » Blog Archive » reading on reading: html giant—

      […] their independent literature Secret Santa program for the holidays. There’s something inherently appealing about this idea. I’m totally […]

  73. December 4th, 2008 / 6:36 pm yeah yeah yeah - Words—

      […] The Ampersand could make a great secret Santa gift, if a literary blind exchange ever existed. Oh, look it does. Thank you, internet! […]

  74. December 5th, 2008 / 12:24 pm <HTMLGIANT> » Blog Archive » Last Day to be a Secret Santa—

      […] a Secret Santa and support independent […]

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  120. December 3rd, 2009 / 7:44 pm HTMLGIANT / Second Annual Indie Lit Secret Santa Signup Open—

      […] details can be found on the post from last year, here. It’s really all pretty simple. Spend $10-$20. SIGN UP HERE TO PLAY! And retweet away! […]