Holiday Food swap disappointment

I've never hear of the Food Swap, and I've been on here a while now! Where do I get info for this next year? I promise not to stiff anyone :)

I disappointed someone last year b/I a prolonged asthma exacerbation (gift arrived late) and decided not to participate this year because it was so disappointing to the recipient. I hope next year to have a box ready when I sign up, so all I have to do is mail it. It's so dun doing the swap, I think overall it's a success and I hope you participate again.

I disappointed someone last year b/I a prolonged asthma exacerbation (gift arrived late) and decided not to participate this year because it was so disappointing to the recipient. I hope next year to have a box ready when I sign up, so all I have to do is mail it. It's so dun doing the swap, I think overall it's a success and I hope you participate again.

It's really unfortunate that you didn't receive any acknowledgement. Unfortunately, I also didn't receive a gift, but hadn't mentioned it because I suspect I'm having mail problems (long story) and I hate to think the worst of people. But at the same time, it should have arrived by now. However, the person who received mine was incredibly gracious and Facebook/Tweeted/Tumblr'd immediately. It made me very happy to see she was enjoying everything. It's just one of those things I guess.

Just as there will likely always be "stiffers", don't forget sometimes life gets in the way. I say this after having experienced (and still experiencing) a loss in husband's family, serious illness in my family requiring an extended stay, and my child's upcoming surgery. Doesn't account for slackers, of which there are some, but folks can't always communicate if major stuff is going on.

So sorry to hear that, but it happens. I sent Noelle a note a few weeks ago offering to send a package to anyone who joined the swap but was stiffed. I haven't heard back from her, but if you want to send me your address via my profile, I'd be delighted to send you some treats, etc., later this week! ;o)

Oh, of course, Doh! I checked that every day.

What is tumblr?

Every one of you ladies are sweet and generous and caring. that is what I signed up for. thank you all for your assistance and kind words.

Nancy, have you received Noelle's email address? If not, let me know and I will DM it to you. She may be able to find out more info for you and hopefully rectify the situation.

I am so sorry that your holiday swap experience was disappointing. Like some of the other responders, I have participated every year since the swap was created (from Canada, no less!) and it's always been wonderful. I've always had different giftees and have received and been given lovely homemade goodies and other holiday gifts. It's very disheartening to hear that some Food52ers sign up for the swap but do not follow through with either sending gifts or acknowledging ones that they have received. Hopefully, with your feedback, Noelle can fix any hiccups, so that the program works better for everyone next year.

Sounds like there are more takers than receivers in this program and no way to know the difference. I noticed responses were from those who gave and not one from a recipient/giver.

So sorry about your double disappointment. I've been doing this for 4 years and have had a wonderful experience every time. This time however, the person I sent the gift to was a complete dead end. no reply even to my email. It seems like there are some individuals who sign up without realizing that this is something we take very seriously and look forward to as a highlight of the holiday season. some of the sign ups are pretty much Inactive on food52, other than signing up, they do not participate actively in recipes or discussions. Wonder if there is a correlation between this category and the defaulters of the secret santa swap..

Nancy, I too was disappointed to not hear from the person I sent a gift to. And I wrote about it in another thread in HotLine. Then yesterday I received a lovely snail mailed thank you note that made me feel badly for complaining. In these days of emails and instant gratification, I had failed to think of the possibility my giftee might have written me a letter! I hope that's what happened to yours.

In the instructions for the food swap, Noelle has always been very clear about not signing up if you’re not going to follow through. She is also clear about the importance of sending your gifter a thank you note. Unfortunately, there will always be people who haven’t learned the importance of being faithful to a commitment as well as those who have not learned proper manners. I had a similar experience to yours last year. I notified Noelle when I signed up this year, and she worked it so that my experience would be positive this time. I encourage you to get in touch with her.

So sorry to hear this; we care very much that you have a great experience! It's possible that no one from Food52 saw your comments if they were within other threads. I suggest you email Noelle, who sent you your original assignment, directly. She should be able to send a note to your giftee and to whoever was supposed to send you your package and find out more details.