The Vinspire #winesecretsanta is back!

Right ladies and gentlemen, there's no getting away from it - I've seen the Coca-Cola advert, I've seen the John Lewis advert; Christmas is well and truly coming! This means one thing for us here at Vinspire... it's time to get the award-winning* Vinspire #winesecretsanta going again!

What is #winesecretsanta?

 

For those who didn't participate last year and are wondering what this is all about: think of Secret Santa, only instead of presents you give and get bottles of wine. That's it really! 

Last year was the first year that we tried this out and it worked a treat. It was amazing to see all the photos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with everyone enjoying their wines, pleased with what they've received and seeing with satisfaction the pleasure of those that we gave our wine to (see this post with some highlights). 

The rules are going to be the same as last year, so here's a recap of how it all works...

1. Want to join in? 
Email us (vinspireUK AT gmail DOT com) by November 21st, confirming:

• Your name 
• Your home address
• The UK address to which your wine should be delivered (if different from your home address - e.g a work address if you'd rather we didn't share your home address with the person sending your gift.)

Please also indicate if you have any very strong taste preferences (e.g "I can't drink red wine!"); although the general idea is to receive something unexpected, so please don't be too proscriptive. And tempting as it may be, please don't specify that you only drink First Growth Bordeaux...

2. What happens next? 
We will then secretly set each of you up with another participant to whom you can anonymously send a bottle of wine. Obviously, everyone that participates in the secret santa will also be receiving a bottle from someone else. You'll receive your assignee on November 22nd or November 23rd.

Photo: Star Athena

3. What should I send?
We have decided to set a minimum spend of £10 for the bottle. This is supposed to be the season of good will and all that jazz, so please don't go down the route of sending something awful. 

There is no maximum limit on what you can send... Perhaps your Secret Santa will be feeling generous and send you that Château d'Yquem that you've been hankering after? We would also like to recommend that wherever possible people buy their wine from independent wine merchants and wine shops. The supermarkets make enough money over Christmas from all the food they sell - support your local wine shop if you can!

4. When should I send it?
The deadline for sending the wine to your recipient is 1st December. This is so that it is received before people start making their trips to see family/friends. Once you have sent your wine, please email us to confirm you have done so (and if there's a specific delivery date, let us know) and we will let the recipient know it is on its way.

5. Then what?
Whether you wait until Christmas Day or rip the packaging off straight away, when you decide to open your present and discover which wine you've been sent, it would be great if you could take a wine selfie of you with your bottle and tag us on our Twitter, Instagram (@LaRainbowine and @tjmilford) or Facebook pages - or just using the hashtag #VinspireSecretSanta.

We'll be sharing as many as possible to spread the Wine Secret Santa love!

6. Enjoy your Christmas wine (responsibly, of course)!

Please note - this is limited to people who reside within the United Kingdom, apologies to those who live outside that wanted to join in.

- See more at: http://www.vinspireuk.com/2014/11/the-vinspire-wine-secret-santa.html#sthash.mBu9QVaa.dpuf

1. Want to join in? 
 

Email us (vinspireUK AT gmail DOT com) by Friday 4 December, confirming:

• Your name 
• Your home address
• The UK address to which your wine should be delivered (if different from your home address - e.g a work address if you'd rather we didn't share your home address with the person sending your gift.)

Please also indicate if you have any very strong taste preferences (e.g "I can't drink red wine!"); although the general idea is to receive something unexpected, so please don't be too proscriptive. And tempting as it may be, please don't specify that you only drink First Growth Bordeaux...

2. What happens next? 

We will then secretly set each of you up with another participant to whom you can anonymously send a bottle of wine. Obviously, everyone that participates in the Secret Santa will also be receiving a bottle from someone else. You'll receive your assignee on Sunday 6 December.

3. What should I send?
 

My lovely #vinspiresecretsanta from last year

We have decided to set a minimum spend of £10 for the bottle. This is supposed to be the season of good will and all that jazz, so please don't go down the route of sending something awful. There is no maximum limit on what you can send... Perhaps your Secret Santa will be feeling generous and send you that Château d'Yquem that you've been hankering after? 

We would also like to recommend that wherever possible people buy their wine from independent wine merchants and wine shops. The supermarkets make enough money over Christmas from all the food they sell - support your local wine shop if you can!

4. When should I send it?
 
The deadline for sending the wine to your recipient is Friday 18 December. This is so that it is received before people start making their trips to see family/friends. Once you have sent your wine, please email us to confirm you have done so (and if there's a specific delivery date, let us know) and we will let the recipient know it is on its way.  

5. Then what?
 
Whether you wait until Christmas Day or rip the packaging off straight away, when you decide to open your present and discover which wine you've been sent, it would be great if you could take a wine selfie of you with your bottle and tag us on our Twitter, Instagram (@LaRainbowine and @tjmilford) or Facebook pages - or just using the hashtag #WineSecretSanta.

We'll be sharing as many as possible to spread the Wine Secret Santa love!

6. Enjoy your Christmas wine!

Responsibly, of course - no operating heavy machinery after enjoying your Christmas wine!

Please note - this is limited to people who reside within the United Kingdom, apologies to those who live outside that wanted to join in - you have our blessing to organise your own event.

So, there you have it. If you're interested please drop us an email with your details and we will start compiling the list - after checking first who's been naughty and who's been nice, of course...

Quick recap of dates and essentials:

1. Sign up to the Vinspire Wine Secret Santa between 26 November - 4 December. UK entrants only - email us your name, address and delivery address.
2. You will receive an email on 6 December giving you your gift recipient and delivery address.
3. You have until 18 December to send your wine (£10 and over please). Then email us and we will let the recipient know to expect it.
4. Take a selfie of you and the wine your Secret Santa sends you and share it using the hashtag #WineSecretSanta

In the words of Tiny Tim, "Merry Christmas one and all!"

* not true