Secret Santa 2021

Mr_Cross

@Lo1sJess, basically it was an idea dreamed up by @bendybadger, it was a free giveaway that ran semi regularly, someone would select something like a CMF or a polybag and start a thread where people answered a simple (or not so simple) question... usually it was open Worldwide.
It was linked to the UK lottery draw where 6 out of 59 balls get drawn. The last ball to be drawn was the 'bonusball' - that number would correspond to comments in the thread, usually it was limited to 59 comments by 59 individual members (no double entries). The member with the corresponding comment number would win the giveaway.
It was fun to run one, fun to enter, real community spirit building.
Search for Bonusball or bonus ball for previous examples.

Lo1sJess

Thanks!

SumoLego

Something like this:

https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/31345/bendybadgers-brickset-bonusball-bonanza-sumolego-brianmas-edition-drawing-12-28-2019/p1

Except that it won't be limited to 59 unique entries, and it'll be open for a week.

kiki180703

I received a rattly-sounding box yesterday, and after looking at the sender, I have a slight inkling as to the identity of my Secret Santa :)

Anyhow, thank you very much for these gifts, I'm very excited to unwrap them in 2 days!

Unikitty

Found a letter with a handwritten Christmas card from Santa in the mail today. It was a complete surprise since I was not expecting anything to arrive today. A Bricklink order containing my gifts was lost in the mail for over a month, and it was only two days ago that @KungFuKenny messaged me and told me Santa had finally got it and it was now on it's way to me.

Thank you for the card, Secret Santa! And Merry Christmas everyone!

ravendragonwing

Got my prezzie today!! Thanks....cat wanted me to open now, but I am going to wait until Sat.

ravendragonwing

ravendragonwing said:

Got my prezzie today!! Thanks....cat wanted me to open now, but I am going to wait until Sat.

And for some reason the picture did not load...

Fodder

I wish I knew where everybody was getting the Lego wrapping paper.

Lo1sJess

@Fodder.me too!  I searched all over and could find anything beyond the GWP until the Target collection this month but even that isn’t as good as many of the papers here.

FireFox31

Fodder said:

I wish I knew where everybody was getting the Lego wrapping paper.

Seriously.  Brickset Secret Santa always reveals so many interesting Lego wrapping products.

I'm curious to know what else do people use Lego wrapping paper for besides Brickset Secret Santa?

Mynatt

Made it home and found a festive package waiting. The countdown begins!

Unikitty

The madness that is Brickset Secret Santa has once again started! Seeing as how my IRL mailbox is still empty, Santa has decided to make sure my digital mailbox is not.

I have no idea how Santa thinks I deserve to get all this. And this is in addition to the bag o' rattly gifts that Santa is currently rushing over to me on his scooter.

...Wait a minute, a scooter? Those thing are not allowed to go any faster than 45 km/h (30 mph). I guess that explains the delay.

Thank you very much for the gift card, Secret Santa!

And Merry Christmas everyone! I can not wait to see your posts over the following days.

BooTheMightyHamster

Anyone going for a 12.01am opening, or are you all saving your goodies for later in the day?

KungFuKenny

Those in the UK are legally allowed to open gifts now…🙂🎄

truck730

Can't open till a sleep has been had ,Harry Potter binge while wrapping presents ,and maybe too tired to open so the sleep is very welcome

kiki180703

Merry Christmas to everyone in the UK and soon to the people here in North America! Everyone in the UK got their gifts in time this year (woohoo!), so enjoy them and have a great time building these little bricky bundles of joy :)

Personally, I'm very excited to open the presents I got tonight at midnight.

Happy Holidays to everyone and thank you again for participating in this wonderful event!
Michael

GothamConstructionCo

I shall kick off Christmas morning in the UK, thanks  to an over excited teenager and send a big thank you to my BSS this year.

I’m now able to tick a bunch more of items off my wanted list. 

Unfortunately however my BSS couldn’t fit the UCS AT-AT in the box so sent a scaled down version instead. 

Thank you to my BSS and the organisers for all their 
work they’ve put in over the festive period.

gratefulnat

Here in Switzerland gifts are traditionally opened after Mass on Christmas Eve, I admit to skipping Mass but I did open gifts yesterday as my son had joined me for dinner, reading Christmas stories, and opening the goodies.

My Secret Santa sent me seven gifts with a card leading me from one gift to the next. I really enjoyed the card.

Opening bag 1 revealed some necessary individuals for any city. Some fun, some work, and some to keep us all safe.

 Enjoying the three builds I moved on to bag 2, and low and behold my missing most favorite Unikitty appeared

Surfer dude was very excited to have someone to join in in having fun. Mr Policeman, always diligent, was suspecting of a plastic baggy he found, but after analysis it only showed residue of ABS bricks, so all was good.

Opening bag three and four added some unique characters to the party

Both Unikitty and surfer dude were quite excited by having a DJ join the fun. They weren't quite sure what to think of the middle aged bowler hat man, little did they know he was getting ready for a mid-life crisis and in need of some serious good times.

He fulfilled his dream of acquiring an absolutely crazy vehicle, but wait, the party is about to get wilder.

Bag six brings an added element of weirdness to the party, Batman breaks lose from the confines of his duties and joins in.

And lastly upon opening bag 7 three little bricks appeared

This is where I just have to shout out to my Secret Santa for being so amazingly thoughtful and resourceful. Many years ago I posted a picture here of my first LEGO set #171 which I still have, although missing exactly these three parts I have just been gifted. My eyes might have even watered up a little, such an incredible gesture.

Thank you Secret Santa, you have given me a lot of joy!!!!

On that note, I wish everyone here a most enjoyable, relaxing, meaniful Christmas time. I love this tradition we share here at Brickset. A huge Thank you to all the elves making sure it happens over and over again.

Good health to all!

BooTheMightyHamster

That's fantastic!  What a thoughtful Santa.

Renegade007cjh

@gratefulnat - that's some next level sleuthing by your BSSS!! Lovely gesture, whomever you are!

Redbullgivesuwind

Thank you so much to my BSS, you picked some perfect gifts. I am looking forward to building some lovely history ideas with a few chocolates.Hope you all have a lovely Christmas! 

Coolguy5000

Thank you Brickset Secret Santa. The generosity of this thread always amazes me.

Muftak1

Many thanks to my BSS!

Love the keyring and polys! Can’t wait to build the HP set!

msanders

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Wow, BSSS always continues to amaze me! When I moved to Switzerland almost 6 years ago, I stopped participating in BSSS as I was worried about sending parcels and not understanding the postal system. I took a gamble last year for the first time and remembered why I love it so much and why it is so special!! Complete strangers giving amazing and thoughtful gifts! Those who understand the hobby and can give something that family members often have no understanding of! Whilst there is a price guideline, I think that most people go over this - may be there is a copy of a set in their own collection, a freebie, a change in theme that they collect, luck and fortune that the BSSS has something in the recipients wanted list, etc etc. 

This year, my Secret Santa has been extra generous! Look at this haul! Worthy of a haul from multiple people! I have managed to tick off many things in my Wanted list that have long retired, may be never thinking I would ever own them! Some really nice surprises as well along the way. Thank you!!! Often these gifts are an important highlight in the present opening, as the whole family anticipate what gifts were given!!! Seems that Santa has been extra good in Switzerland this year!



Some really nice messages to go along with the presents....



I managed to build something small this morning (2 excited kids on Christmas morning does not allow for large builds). The small Mini has joined his larger brother on the shelf!!



I already have the beetle. Now to complete the family one day for the VW campervan! 



Finally, just a last photo of 2 Lego gifts from traditional Santa and family! I`m still such a kid at Christmas despite the advancing age!



Thank you again for the organizers and particularly my BSSS. I hope it brings great pleasure knowing that the gifts that you sent are very happily received! I know that I am always so happy to read when the recipient of my gifts is overjoyed! Bring on BSSS 2022!!!! :-D When does the new thread open...... ;-) 

Speedman29

Found a gap between par boiling potatoes and stir frying sprouts to open my BS-SS pile.

Thank you Santa, Little Miss Speedy is very happy with her Dalmatians, they'll got nicely with the cats she also got. Another bauble for the tree is always welcome. A polybag I never managed to find in the wild crosses another off my list and I finally have an Asoka. Very generous Secret Santa. Merry Christmas everyone.

Renegade007cjh

Was very intrigued by the label on one of my presents...



After carefully opening and unpeeling the layers of packaging, which had lovingly coddled my gift, I laid eyes on this marvelous creation...



I've never received a MoC as part of BSSS, so it brought a massive grin to my face! Then, when I cracked it open, I was delighted to find some new additions to my current obsession: Knights!! Two minutes later, they were all ready to go...



I bought some swords recently, so they'll soon be armed to the teeth! And there were more gifts, too. Here's the full haul:



And the Vidiyo figures were specific ones from my Wants List. Great job Santa! Thanks so much for your generosity and creativity! Merry Christmas everyone!

trax_3

Thank you Brickset Secret Santa. Really, chuffed with these gifts and I finally have the Vidiyo figure from my wanted list. Merry Christmas everyone 

Brickfan50

Thank you Santa for these generous gifts and nice message on the card. My Minecraft collection just grew to 72% complete :-)

truck730

An exceptional haul of hard to find and a wonderful enhancement to my Christmas lego. Thank You  Secret Santa and Brickset, now it'll be a great New Year too!

adiemc

Thank you Santa!

SumoLego

Foil packets are definitely a dangerous new World...

Thank you Brickset Secret Santa!
(I've very pleased with the Brickmaster poly!)

SeijiAmasawa

@adiemc I have that 3-in-1 and the pup is so cute. You’ll love it.

My BSSS has hit it out of the park. I’ve been wanting to get the wreath but haven’t gotten around to it. Yet here it is! Thanks, Santa and organizers!!

Wishing all the happiest Christmas and a healthy, peaceful new year.

lowlead

truck730 said:

...Harry Potter binge while wrapping presents....

So...in The Goblet of Fire, is anyone else bothered that there isn't a quick cut scene to someone repairing the roof of Hogwart's after the Hungarian Horntail totally rips it up?

...it's prob just me =oD

panchox1

A very big thank you to my Santa! The cookie cutter and press are super cool! And that switch plate! Can't wait to install overhearlights in my still undeveloped lego room and ad it to the decore. So happy to have a few things checked off my wanted list, especially that Adidas Gwp! Love it. 

KungFuKenny

My secret Santa did some very careful sleuthing. Knowing that I collect Classic Space minifigs in all colors, Santa provided money (and inspiration) to buy the new CMF with the CS purple torso when it releases.  He also got me the ornament set that I have wanted (but had been sold out for weeks), and filled out my collectible minifig collection…

I quickly built my ornaments and hung them in a place of honor next to Jack Skellington… 

Thank you Secret Santa, and Merry Christmas to all!

SprinkleOtter

Opened my Secret Santa today! Loved these gifts- I remember riding these little cars at LEGOLand California about 15 years ago!

TThe wrapping paper was stupendous! It even has @Legoboy paying me a visit!

Lo1sJess

Thank you secret Santa!  Already built the nutcracker and busted into the shortbread, my favorite.

SewBricks

Thank you very much Secret Santa! Some excellent sets from my wishlist!

FowlerBricks

At last, the mystery has been revealed! I have a bad habit of trying to guess Lego sets by their box shape and size but despite my best efforts, Santa truly surprised me with this one. I never got that Spider-Man set and am quite excited to add Hobgoblin to the villain roster. The Santa poly is a great addition as my Christmas Lego collection is pretty darn weak right now. Thank you so much, whoever you are!

ravendragonwing

Opened my gift, thanks so much!!!

Russell844

I must have been good this year. Merry Christmas!

Covi

Many thanks to my Secret Santa. We had a blast constructing this HP set (such a lovely little toilet) and the chocolate for sure wont last long! You’re the best whoever you are!

GrannyLEGO

I shall definitely have to up my game next year. My Secret Santa sent me a partially built scene ...

It came in five little packages clearly marked with instructions on the order to open them and then inside with little notes about the items ... first two small trees (upper right and lower left in pic) Then the base with the high white snow bank and all. Then at #4 was the two unbuilt minifigs with a note "Build some tree hunting friends" and last but not least is a tiny zip lock bag with decorating pieces and a tree stand to decorate the tree. This last still waits in the bag as I am quite enamored of the tree hunting scene! Thank you, thank you BSS! 

Mynatt

 To my Secret Santa, I am in awe. Thank you so much over and over. These gifts are truly incredible. I would have loved to thank you in person if possible for this very generous gift. This makes me so happy to have the Chicago skyline. So thoughtful. 

The Ice Fisherman is great. I will need to post again later with a bit of a story of why he was on my wishlist :)

Thank you all for setting this up. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all! 

nexander

A big thank you to my ss!  As suspected the chocs didnt last.  I do love a mech and I dont have that one (even an extra mini mech) and i have been intrigued by the stuntz line so pretty much nailed it all round!

Modeltrainman

So blessed!They knew I was building a layout, so sent me many cool parts to do so, and knew I prefer building my own stuff, so the random parts set, and the robots will certainly be handy! And since they wanted to see my layout, here are some older photos! I don't know if I can ask this, but the train is my own custom Casey Jr. If some of you could maybe please support it, that'd be great, too, LEGO IDEAS - Casey Jr. Circus Train (Dumbo, 1941)

bandit778

Merry Christmas everyone. 

Big thank you to my Secret Santa for the pressies.

Looking forward to building my Room of Requirement. I love the trans blue animals in the set and the prospector series 12 cmf will make a welcome addition to my Wild West Saloon.

Thanks once again to all those involved in making this another smooth B.S.S.S. and wishing everyone a prosperous new year.

brickmatt

I got the 40th anniversary train set and custom palm trees, with an extra trunk and treasure chests for the pieces from the ornament. I love it!

red237

Dear Secret Santa,
Thank you so much for the surprises. I know how tricky I am to select LEGO for and I appreciate these thoughtful selections. My whole family was excited to see these opened and we will dive into the space shuttle soon. We loved the wrapping paper and the gifts, and we are very grateful. We have been binge watching streamable space shows and dramas this fall, so the 3in1 is perfect right now! Thank you also to the organizers who work to pull this off, and the community for the thoughtful posts and giving spirit. It is by far one of the most exciting parts of this holiday for us. Happy New Year everyone!

Vgang

I was so excited to open my present and find the Billund Airport set inside! The only time I was lucky enough to find myself in Billund was after the first version was sold out and the second version hadn’t be released yet, so I never got a chance to buy it! And not only that, but also a polybag from my wanted list as well
as all the pieces and instructions to
build a lovely Christmas diorama! Not to mention the instructions were provided in a Santa themed USB stick! My Secret Santa is a legend! Thank you so much. Happy Christmas everyone!