Thank you Heather!!! That box was so fun to open! I love all the bright shiny things! I can’t wait for the weather to get better so I can start doing more with the young mares. We accidently got a puppy for Xmas (lol) and the sparkly lead rope has been a great impromptu leash! Thank you for making Christmas 2020 merry & bright@
I received my SS box a few days before Christmas, but I have no idea who my elf is! I opened my box as soon as I got it because my elf let me know there was a treat in there. Mmm, chocolate and peanut butter! I then promptly taped up the box until Christmas Day. The hat is absolutely beautiful and in my colors too! And Fred and Retta will definitely enjoy the mash whenever I actually get around to it. Many thanks to my elf!
As for my giftee, I’ve been updating her on the progress of her box. I shipped it on December 8th and it still hasn’t reached her yet. Not panicking yet, but I did ask her to let me know when it gets there.
I love this! 
Well, I did get my SS gift!! As there was no note, I don’t know who my SS is, but we had fun opening it. I do believe my SS is the SS I had last year as well. 
Dearest @Applelover,
We are so sad to say
There has been a delay!
It it still on it’s way
We watch everyday!
And we will indeed say,
Is in the US A-okay!
Dec.10 in Cali it shows
Why undelivered? Who knows!
Love from the land of snow,
Your Elf!
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WOOHOO and massive Kudos to @Zevida Hands down, the bestest Elf ever!!!
She took incredible time to find a gift that “matches” each of my critters by name!
Snickers, The Queen #1 Calico Kitty: A HUGE real Snickers candy bar. Methinks it’ll last me a few months 
Pumpkin, The Miffed Orange Tabby cat: A cute, wee glass Pumpkin
Sweetpea, Calico Kitty #2: A collection of “Sweetpea” scented lotion, body spray etc.
Mittens, Tail-less Calico Kitty #3: A face mask covered in mittens PLUS… homemade Mittens cookies!!!
Missy, The Senior Terrier Dog: a “Missy” bridesmaid doll (More on the real significance to this in a minute) - wink wink, nudge nudge.
Lily, The Wonder Chihuahua: “Lily of the Valley” note paper - Side Note to that: My name, Susan, means Lily of the Valley!
Bronwyn (AKA B), the Percheron/QH Draft Cross Mare: A BIG red B magnet
Penny Lane, the Clydsdale/Standardbred Draft Cross Mare: A shiny 1966 Lincoln penny… 1966 = my birth year!
Dutch, the senior OTTB Gelding: “Stroopwafel” Dutch Chocolate cookies (see side note below).
Fudge, the on-loan-to me Welsh Section C Pony: REALLLLLL homemade fudge!!!
Ok Zevida: What’s the significance of the hand towel & red flowers? That one stumped me!!!
Here are the side notes:
Dutch – Alas, he was assisted over the Rainbow Bridge on November 21st. His age and history of long-term EPM caught up with him. He barely knew where his right hind leg was and had fallen one too many times.
Bridesmaid Doll – I am getting married April 10, 2021 <3 (For those who missed last year’s saga, here tis: https://forum.chronofhorse.com/t/update-on-our-sweet-chocomare/463456 ) – Scott and I met via Facebook dating but it turns out that we had already met when he visited church with his Dad & Stepmom (who I love to bits). Get this: he lives around the corner…literally!!! We started dating in October and knew within three weeks that This It Be Right.
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So happy for you, Chocomare! Last year’s news broke my heart for you, so glad it sounds like you found a good one! <3
Thank you!!! Definite keeper… any man who can watch me put out & net a round bale ONCE and then replicate it 4 weeks later On His Own stays!!!
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Ooh, that is a good sign! 
If you like to support local businesses, I suggest Goat Haus Dairy in Texas. I give a huge HUGE thumbs up to their lotions, foaming bath milk and other products.
My hands are newly salved and feeling great! I turned my BO on the them as well. We’re putting an order together…
J-Lu
To my dear elphee @WhatzUp,
I fear there may have been some mixup,
Or some kind of delay
On our transnational foray?
Your package was sent on the first of December,
But whether it has arrived, I have no way to discover!
If it has arrived, please send word of good cheer!
If not, I will send out a search for my missing reindeer!
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I’ve participated in SS for the last few Christmases and have been blown away by how awesome Cothers are. Its always a fun surprise and a chance to buy something horsey. However, this year we got hit with vet and medical bills, and my DH’s side gig is on hold due to COVID, so we tightened the purse strings and I opted to not do the gift exchange.
Imagine my surprise when I opened what I thought was an order of my horse’s regular supplements and there was a delightful arrangement of fancy horse muffins and gloves that were just my size. I thought it must be a mistake, that I was sent someone else’s package, but it turns out @Mealticket adopted me as her SS!
I was so surprised and honestly touched that someone was so generous to a total stranger. I expected a cozy, scaled-down budget Christmas and instead was getting surprise packages for my Coth Christmas Angel! DH started to intercept them and hide them so I had multiple boxes to open on Christmas Day. Not to gush too much, but a new jacket, a spa care package, gorgeous Haas brushes and more put the biggest smile on my face. I honestly can’t thank @Mealticket enough. It was such a genuinely kind and beautiful thing to do. Major thanks to @ChocoMare for her role in this as well.
Sometimes the world in general and even the microcosm of the Coth threads can get a little rough. People lose patience and snap at each other. We only see our differences and forget our commonalities. But other times we lift each other up and show love and support to a complete stranger. This is a great community and I hope to be able to pay it forward next year to a Cother who is having a bad year.
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What you said is WELL SAID! I can’t post this unless it is a complete sentence. ???
Dear Giftee, Did you get your gifts?
Not yet, J-Lu. I know there are a lot of things lost in the mail here, so I am just waiting to be surprised one day.
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@BatCoach, I had a surprise elf a few years ago, as well, when I didn’t play SS for similar reasons. I still don’t know how she knew I wanted a Baker saddle pad, but I still use it and think of her every time. There ARE angels among us and magic in the love of Christmas!
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@ChocoMare Congrats on your engagement!! 
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Dutch though. 
Once I figured out the theme I had a lot of fun figuring out a gift for each pet name. The tea towel flowers are supposed to be sweet pea flowers - I didn’t think it was going to arrive in time so I got a back up sweet pea and then USPS was late picking up your package so I was able to slip in the towel.
There is also one more gift on the way that didn’t arrive in time so I’d sent you a back up but you’ll get the “real” one next week. Happy new year!!
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BatCoach,. Your are more than welcome and I had a lot of fun doing it. Still dealing with Amazon so two more gifts will be arriving! Thank you ChocoMare for taking the time and effort to coordinate secret Santa every year. Happy New Year to everyone.
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Finally, the SS gift that was to get here December 18 arrived today January 4! Thank you Chai!
I love Barnaby’s photo. He must’ve been a hoot as well as a honk, as only a donk can be. I love George Winston’s “December” but didn’t have a copy. The hat will go to the barn with me tonight. Roxie heard the toy squeak as I opened it and jumped on my tablet trying to get it!
Chocolate and horse rescue are a winning combo and the socks are just the thing to replace one of my ancient pairs.
Thank you for all your thoughtful gifts, they were well worth the wait!
Yay! I’m so glad it finally arrived. Thank you for being so patient, HorsesinHaiti, and I’m thrilled that you liked everything. It was fun. Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
