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Celebrating its sixth anniversary this year, an annual gift giving in the Great British Hobbit League community will reach fever pitch in the coming days as SBG Secret Santa presents start to arrive (assuming gifts aren't waylaid by postal strikes!).
Head Elf Sebastian Raats has been organising the annual gift exchange since 2017 and says it came from a desire to bring some happiness into the world at a time of personal sadness for him.
"I was going through a personal rough patch" he explains, "back then the MESBG Hobby and the GBHL Community in particular really helped distract me from my daily struggles. It's probably the most welcoming, friendly and inclusive community I've ever come across."
"Organising a secret santa seemed like a great idea to bring the community even closer... I wanted to repay the community for the many years of friendship and joy, in my own small way."
Sebastian says a similar thing had happened on other Social Media forums before and had understandably been met with some scepticism - and the Hobbits of the Middle Earth community were similarly cautious in 2017.
"Around 15 people participated," he says, "but once those first-timers started posting [about] the gifts they received, the enthusiastic reactions from the community really got me motivated to give it another go."
The early caution gave way to a wave of excitement for the 2018 SBG Secret Santa, especially after some prominent community members took part in the very first edition. BSIME & SBG Magazine veteran Damian O'Byrne was an early adopter, saying how "thoroughly chuffed" he was about his gifts in 2017, and commended Sebastian for "a delightful and thankless task that spreads a little festive joy," adding, "he should be heartily applauded."
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How does it work?!
The structure of the Secret Santa is simple, Sebastian posts in the GBHL Facebook page in late October asking for expressions of interest in the scheme and to submit details of armies they're collecting and stuff they already own, and also what Payment Tier they're willing to invest in (Minor Santa: £15-25 gift value, Santa of Fortitude: £25.01-£40 gift value, Santa of Valour: £40.01-£60 gift value, Santa of Legend: £60.01 and up gift value, with no upper limit.). From there it's a simple matter of getting everything sorted, including some form of edible treat and posting it in time for the big day!
"The second year is when things started to blow up."
Sebastian himself was clearly keen to build on its early success, especially after his own Secret Santa shocked him with an incredible exclusive preview in year 1:
"My very own Santa was Keith Robertson [MESBG Sculptor]. At that point, I was unaware who he was, until I received my gift: a lovely box containing the first three Nazgûl of Dol Guldur sculpts, weeks before they went on general release. It was a rare case of not being able to share what I got until after they went on release, as Keith politely asked me on the accompanying card."
From that initial 15 participants, it grew to around 50 in year 2 and has now more than doubled to 113 participants for 2022's edition. It's mostly a wonderfully wholesome experience, but there have been some dark powers at work in previous editions hoping to take advantage of people's good nature.
"There were a handful of issues, where packages never arrived or where the contents didn’t quite match up with the tier system, but the majority were resolved by getting people in touch with one another," Sebastian explains,"We’ve only ever had one time when there was a real problematic situation, with the sender not responding to emails or direct messages."
The offending Scrooge was blacklisted from future editions, and the true spirit of Christmas shone out through our wonderful group regardless of one Grinch.
"The community really showed how awesome it was that time around: several people volunteered to send out an extra gift to the recipient that was ghosted by his Santa."
With Royal Mail's last post for Gifts to arrive in time in Christmas just days away (currently Mon 12th Dec 2nd Class & Friday 16th Dec1st Class - though with Postal Strikes check up to date info here) the pressure is mounting for those taking part this year. But Sebastian says the joy of sharing the hobby is what makes it so much fun, despite the pressure. "Knowing you might have kickstarted someone else’s new army is an awesome feeling".
Sebastian says it's "humbling" knowing how much joy the annual gift giving creates.
"Enthusiasm is palpable" in the months leading up to it he says, adding, "small things like exchanging gifts in dark times really can brighten someone's day."
I can only echo Sebastian's sentiments. It's a simple thing - not knowing the person you're giving to is a pure kind of gift giving, and seeing someone post images of your gift with a glowing review really warms the heart. The work that goes into something like this - which is purely for the good of others, nothing else - is truly an inspiration.
Tolkien would be proud.
"Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found . It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay." - J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings.
If you want to get involved in SBG Santa next year (sadly you're too late this time!), keep your eyes peeled. Hopefully we'll be able to promote it on the blog and on the FB page as usual. For more info about the GBHL, Events and Rankings, feel free to peruse the blog and site!