Secret Sister Gift Exchange (Does it Work?)

Are you wondering if the Secret Sister Gift Exchange works? Don’t want to get left in the cold without any gifts?

Secret Sister Gift Exchange (Does it Work?)
 
 

Secret Sister Gift Exchange – A Scam?

Update: When calling the Secret Sister Gift Exchange a scam or a scheme – please understand that I don’t at all mean to imply that anyone is purposefully looking to cheat anyone else. I only mean to state that, statistically speaking, the plan is fraught with complications and the 36 promised gifts will very likely not come to pass. I just think it’s good for folks to know this going in. Carry on! 🙂

Jamie here! I’ve been seeing lots of my friends post on their facebook page about this Secret Sister Gift Exchange in which you need to recruit 6 friends to send a $10 Gift. In return, you’ll receive 36 gifts!!! Sound too good to be true? Well – not to be a Debbie Downer, but it is….

How the Secret Sister Gift Exchange Works

The Secret Sister Gift Exchange works like the age-old chain mail premise, where you’ll send one letter and receive a landslide of letters back. 

To be fair…. In theory the Secret Sister Gift Exchange could possibly work if all 6 people you sent your letter to stuck with the program and sent it out to their people, and all 36 of those people stuck to it and sent it out to their 216 people, and those 216 people ALL stuck with it and sent it out to their 1,296 people. And then you know – at some point, it would exponentially require the entire population of the world to participate and then CIRCLE BACK AROUND to the start of the list – in order for everyone on the list to get their 36 gifts.

In short, you might get one gift back – or maybe two if you’re at the start of the Secret Sister Gift Exchange pyramid where your chances are greatest. (I’ve heard from several folks who really did get one or a few gifts back – so doing it with people you know, and being one of the first to start it will improve your chances)  But there’s bound to be people under you who lose out completely. People who were hauled in by other people (or you!) and because they joined later they’re going to have very slim chances of actually getting a gift back. And that stinks.

And you will certainly not receive 36 gifts back with the Secret Sister Gift Exchange.

Secret Sister Gift Exchange (Does it Work?)

Here’s how the Secret Sister Exchange is worded…

Welcome to our secret sister gift exchange! Here’s how it works:

1) Send one gift value at least $10 to secret sister #1 below.

2) Remove secret sister’s name from #1; then move secret sister #2 to that spot.

3) Add your name to #2 with your info.

4) Then send this info to 6 other ladies with the updated name info

5) Copy the secret sister request that I posted on my wall, to your own wall. If you cannot complete this within 1 week please notify me, as it isn’t fair to the ladies who have participated and are waiting for their own gifts to arrive. You might want to order directly from a web-based service (Amazon, or any other online shop) which saves a trip to the post office. Soon you should receive 36 gifts! What a deal, 36 gifts for giving just one! Be sure to include some information about yourself … some of your favorites. Seldom does anyone drop out because it’s so much fun to send a gift to someone you may or may not know … and of course it’s fun to receive. You should begin receiving gifts in about 2 weeks if you get your letters out to your 6 people right away.

And if that doesn’t make you leary – just know that the Post Office warns that schemes involving chain letters. And last but not least – Snopes is all over it. So you know, there’s that. 😉

 

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53 Comments

  1. I don’t see this at all as a scam! I understand logistically with the numbers that the chances of you getting 36 gifts back is unlikely because someone will probably drop out. But to call something a scam just because the full chances of it coming completely through is unfair. I just participated in a book exchange like this with friends and have received a few new books for my kids and I only sent one. I think those are good odds and it’s worth taking. Anyway, there are always two sides to every story!

    1. its not a scam!! you do not send it to 6 ladies, unless THEY SAY they’d like to participate. I dont know about everyone else but MY friends will keep their word if they say they will do it. AND besides its one gift $10 minimum. So if i get one back or 2 or 10 it was still fun.

    2. CV an u send me the details? I would loke to do this with my family. People always take the fun out of honest fun. Thank you.

    3. Your friends may keep their word, but you’re not receiving gifts from your friends; you’re receiving gifts from whomever they pull in. Can you trust those people to keep their word?

    4. How do you ship to the person without them knowing who sent it? If the whole idea is “secret” then I would imagine the shipper would not want their info listed as the receiver. I ask because a friend asked me to join and I’m curious as to how people ship.

  2. I’m apart of one and it has been so much fun! Everyone receiving gifts and it’s nice having something arrive in the mail for once that’s not a bill. So even I send only one, and only receive one back…..that one is still worth the fun! $10 is nothing, most of us spend that in minutes running into Starbucks! Seems like everything has to be torn apart. No matter what, kinda sad really.
    Yes some will not follow through, however, most will. Kinda like life!

  3. I joined one yesterday and I think it’s exciting! I had one person tell me it’s a scam and that’s why I researched it today. In no way, shape or form is it a scam. Yea, maybe not everyone will follow through, but if I receive just one gift I’ll be happy. It’s all about having fun!! I ended up spending with shipping a little over $20, not bad at all. The person I sent it to, I don’t even know her, but found the perfect gift for her according to her likes. It’s a fun, inexpensive little chain game to do!! The only people participating are those who “signed up” for it, so I don’t see what the “scam” or “problem” is. Tis’ the season for the grinch’s to come out!!

    1. Amy, If I am the one starting the game how do I start the letter? With myself being number one who do I put for number 2?
      Thanks for your help!

    2. I joined as well. It is fun, whether you get one gift or two or 36. you have to be selective about who had in your circle. I have shared this only with those I trust and I know they will do the same.
      For me, knowing that a small gesture can make someone’s day is a plus for me. I have received several gifts and even have established new friendships.

    3. So, it’s 2018 now.. what’s your opinion now that everyone and their mother says it’s a scam and illegal??

    4. I have been trying to figure out how to get the women’s addresses. And I don’t want or care about how many gifts I receive. I just want everyone to get a couple of gifts and give a couple of gifts! It’s Not a horrible Scam! Sure, I guess you could do it with a bad intent and make it bad. But the women I know just want to have some adult fun giving gifts to friends and family that we wouldn’t give gifts to anymore. Leave it to people to try to ruin everything for the rest of Us!

    5. But doesn’t it have to stop somewhere? I just joined one, I sent out my gift, and I invited 32 people. Not one person has joined me. Same thing happened year before last. So doesn’t that mean just because I sent a gift, I won’t receive one in return, bc I couldn’t get anyone to join? And because I couldn’t get anyone to join, the person on number 2 won’t either….

  4. I think the previous comments are all missing the point which is someone at the end of your chain will most likely not receive any gifts as it’s statistically impossible. If you like to give and receive presents it’s better to do a secret santa. All the fun of finding someone a present they’ll like is still there and there is no risk of another person not receiving a gift.

    1. I am participating in it this year, with only friends I know. The last person on my list, I sent her a gift also, to ensure everyone gets a gift.

    1. No one. The person you send it to puts themselves as number two per the instructions. Personally I would never want to be responsible for starting this. It’s possible felony charges and the people at the bottom never get anything. It’s statistically impossible and you are setting up your friends and family for failure.

  5. It say can get 6 to 36 gifts and it about doing something for someone else not about getting down
    Something yourself it was to be a blessing get over yourself

  6. The article is just not specific to what the “scam” is. I am guessing it’s referring to the math gamble we all take by volunteering to do this. I took that in consideration I may possibly not get a gift , but I sent one and giving is great! The post office thing ,I was unaware of . But again, why can’t I send a gift to a random person. I am not soliciIting,not imposing my view ,or promising riches. I paid for the shipping. I am not sure what lo the hullabaloo is about. And now, with all the ” scam” articles coming out,my 6 VOLunteers are reneging . Grrrr

  7. It’s a scheme because it’s illegal. It’s a scam because the people at the bottom of the pyramid send gifts but will not receive any (it’s impossible). Traditional secret Santa is better- best of go donate some gifts to the local orphanage, children’s hospital, men’s shelter, pet rescue, or women and children shelter.

    1. Well then that means that 3 people will b be disappointed because now they won’t get any gifts. That’s how a pyramid scheme works. It promises to benefit everyone, only actually benefits a few, and then leaves those few saying “this is great! I got X amount of presents. It really works!” And leaves the majority left with nothing. But since there are those few who have “results”, the scheme continues

    2. Agreed. I know someone did wine exchange and they recieved over 10 plus bottles. It works if everyone in yoyr trusted circke actually participate. Government says you can guft anyone up to 1,000 without paying any taxes…how can it be so harmful sending out one guft. If i get 3 or 4 back, still worth it and fun.

  8. I dunno if it’s a scam but good to be transparent with what you’re getting into. I’ve never personally participated in one but I may if I’m bored! LOL

  9. Eventually, you will be recruiting friends or family who will contribute but receive nothing in return. This is a scam because it sucks you in with good intentions… it sounds harmless and fun until you, your friends, or their friends RUN OUT OF PEOPLE to recruit. The first people involved clean up, but the last ones are ripped off. Do not start this, or you can be arrested.

  10. I just join because a friend asked me too. I am not on Facebook. However the math does not work so I will send my present and as I am not extending this to anyone else be content in giving is better than receiving. This definitely does not work

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