Hello, and welcome to the Gift Gathering - Thank Yous & Gifting Thread of the Sims 3 forum.There is so much to do and see that it's a little disorienting, isn't it? Well, this is your one stop shop on how to survive in here. 1. We are a community, just like every other thread on this forum. 2. We like newbies, they are fresh blood (in more ways than one) and we are always looking for more friends. 3. We want you to become an active, permanent part of this community. 4. We want to help. Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself.Below I will post some useful links to help you get better situated. But if you have questions, please ask! Guide to the Gifting ForumThe best place to go first and foremost is the Guide to the Gifting Forum thread. In there you will have the Do's and Dont's that will prevent a ton of headaches that neither you nor anyone else here wants to be a part of!Gift Gathering: FAQ/Q&AHave a question? About anything? Go to the FAQ/Q&A thread and ask. I'm always encouraging others to ask ask ask. So go ahead...ask!Forum RulesPerhaps the most important link is the Forum Rules. Nothing ruins a good time then being reported and banned. Please, if in doubt that something you are about to do or say is allowed, read and ask! We'd rather you find out from us that you can't do something, then from a mod.

Helpful LinksShowcase and AppreciationA great way to get your feet wet and meet some great people? The Showcase and Appreciation thread. Here you can find not only some great creations, but also get to know the people in this forum. This forum is not just about gifting things that cost real money, but something as simple as a recommendation or a kind word can go a long way to make someone happy. And that's really what we're about here!Simpoint Free Gifting DirectorySpeaking of Gifting for those without money, another great thread is the Simpoint Free Gifting Directory. Here you can find tons of requests that YOU can fulfill without needing money. This is a great way to find things that require no simpoints and to contribute as well!The Unofficial Wishlist ThreadAnother good thread is the The Unofficial Wishlist Thread. Here you can stop in, and get some ideas about ways you can gift someone that doesn't require you to spend simpoints. The beauty of it is that the person you want to gift TELLS you what they want!Active Contests & Lotteries DirectoryJust looking to jump right in? Well head over to the Active Contests & Lotteries Directory! It's an easy and simple way to find a lottery or contest that will suit your needs! Hosting a contest or lottery and want to "advertise?" Well stop in and post your link.List of TutorialsSo you want to be a builder, heh? You want to make smexy looking Sims? Or do you just want to decorate your home without getting a visit from the repoman? Well, here is a great compiled list of tutorials about...well just about everything! Go crazy! And then share with us!Pssst, hey you...yeah, you. Come here. Don't have a clue how to build? Want to take some classes? Well, click here and go to ZooProfessor's Beginning Builder's University and tell them the Newbie Underlord sent you... Build-n-ShareSo now you really want to build. Or at least you think you might want to build if you could build like the builders can? Well, jump in at the Build-n-Share. This is a great place to get some practice in building! Don't forget to share with us afterwards!Contest Idea ThreadHave a great idea for a contest but can't host it yourself? Want to host or sponsor a contest, but have no ideas? This thread is a great way to collaborate with other Simmers, get great ideas or give one!Hosting a ContestOkay, I've entered some contests and it doesn't look that hard to host. I'll just create a post and that's all I need to do, right? Wrong. Hosting a Contest is harder than it looks. Make sure you have the time and the simpoints before you even think about taking on that responsibility. That's right - responsibility! But how do you create the perfect contest? Go to Hosting a Contest for some more tips on how to host the perfect contest.Anettesb wrote:Setting up a contest takes time, and you will often need more than 1 post. With the time limit for how fast you can post in your own thread, codes that might go funky and Liam getting in the way...well then even if your 100% done writing things up and have them in a word document it can take an hour or more to set up.So if people state “Do not post” or anything like that in a thread, and you see they are reserving multiple posts themselves, chances are they setting up a game, don’t make their work in vain by posting! Because if you do post, they have to start over.Personally even when I have written it all, most of the time (and that is without Liam interfering) it takes me 1-2 hours to set up, getting all the little details in their spot, and that is when it goes smoothly!So give the hosts time to set up, thank you. Hosting Template to UseOther links and advice:Wishlist HelpSome great tips on how to set up your wishlist to maximize gifting potential.Refer-A-Friend DirectoryI am providing a link to the refer-a-friend listing thread. There are two sets you can get if you use one of the links listed to purchase Simpoints for the first time. But, it has to be the first time you are buying Simpoints.I would encourage those that have never purchased Simpoints, but are thinking about doing so, to use one of those referral links. You will thank me when you become a rabid collector (like myself) of Sim stuff.How to purchase Simpoints without a Credit CardThis is a great tutorial on how to use EA Cash Cards to purchase simpoints and games through origin. This comes in handy if you don't have access to a credit card. You can purchase these cards with cash and then use them to buy the points. Check out the link to read the easy tutorial!How Do I Simport?!?!You ever wanted to know what Simporting actually is? Well...here you go!Anette Says: Some other great linksSo...can there possibly be more help? Why...of course there can! Here are some other great links.Friend Requests: Some Tips and AdviceBefore you request someone as a friend, please read their about me. Some people do not accept friend requests or require a little bit more interaction before they approve a request. Understand that it is not about or because of you or something you said or did. A few people make friend requests just so they can beg for gifts on a wider scale. Some people make requests and then fall off the face of the earth. Each person has different ways that they manage their page. So, before you make a request, ask yourself: Have I ever spoken to this person? Did they say anything about friend requests? Once I have them as a friend, will I have anything to say to them?Some Good Reasons to Friend Request:1. Stay updated on uploads2. Write on their wall about something3. Communicate outside of the forums4. This person is amazing and I consider them a friendThere of course are plenty of other reasons to request someone. But these are just some starter points.Thanking Simmers for GiftsOkay, so there is no clear way to thank someone for giving you a gift, but you have some options:1. Create a Thank You Thread - if you do this, make sure you make a general thread that you can use over and over again. Ex: My Thank You thread2. Say thank you on the simmer's MyPage - this is a quick, easy way to say thank you. Just note that some people have their pages closed to non-friends. If that is the case, choose option 1. 3. Create a thread and link it on the Simmer's MyPage. This is helpful if the person is not a GG regular. If you don't post the link, they might never see it and will think you were ungrateful(ok, so it's not that serious...but you never know).And for the MOST important piece of advice I can give: No matter how you do it, you SHOULD thank every single person who gifts you. Sometimes a simple thank you is appreciated more than trying to gift the person back!I want to thank all of those that came before me and created amazing threads. Thank you for your hard work that has made this so easy for me!

Not sure if this thread is open. It doesn't say it's not.Anyway, thank you for the links. I really need them, since ..... aw, cripes, Blthye I just wanted to support your thread. :lol:Come on, Newbies and Lurkers. We don't know you're out there until you tell us. Come play in our sandbox. :mrgreen:

dothesmustle wrote:A wee tip for other newbies: Bookmark anything you have entered or want enter or chat threads your involved in because this forum moves fast. Alrightly, boys and girls. I want to throw something out there with the recent threads that have popped up. I'm calling it: Begging threads...is that what I was doing?The most important thing I can say about begging threads is not to make one. While there is no rule that says you can't ask for a gift on here, it is considered highly rude and will get more negative responses than good ones. Please do not gift people who create begging threads, because it's not good to reward someone for bad behavior.What is a begging thread, you ask? Well, some examples are:1. Please gift me this (this being anything)2. Please rec my/his/her studio (although it might not seem like it, it is considered begging and the Simpoint Free Directory is a better place for that)3. Oh man, the new set came out today and it looks great...too bad I have no simpoints4. My friend really deserves this set, please gift it to them5. I really wish I could get that store itemThis is just to list a few, they come in all kinds of creative ways. Sometimes, you genuinely want to help someone else get something they want, however, asking someone else to spend money is not accepted here.There are some exceptions to this rule, The Flash Mob and the Gifting Angel thread and Nomination lotteries - these are all threads that allow you to throw people under the bus. Take advantage of those.The biggest piece of advice I can give about this is: If you want something or want to gift someone, do not create a thread only for that reason. Find threads that already do this in general, like the ones listed in the Guide to the Gift Forum. It's less of a hassle and helps prevent the sometimes aggressive backlash.

Hi, My name is Smash. I'm a bit new here, but I wanted to say thanks to Blythelyre (I hope I spelled that right) for this thread. I like that one of the first threads I see is one welcoming new people. It can be kind of daunting coming into a place as big as this and not knowing anyone or having simpoints. Thanks for this thread! I hope I can make a happy home here. :mrgreen:

Hi, I'm baby squirrel, and I'm kind of new too, I lurked for a couple of years and now i live to check the forums daily, lol... I like to join in contests, like to judge the and I also like to host them. I have met some wonderful people on the forums and now I am so glad I stopped lurking and started posting... Anyway enough of my chatter, welcome, take off ur coat and stay awhile :wink:

Hi, My Name Is...The Landing Pad | EA Forums

herugrim13
13 years ago
Hi, I used to be around about a year ago, but real life got in the way for a while, nothing serious, then there was the change to the mypage, which I really didn't like, and still don't, but at least we can filter the posts a bit now! :D
So I decided it was time to join in again when my various hobbies allow me! :lol:
Sharonj0
13 years ago
Hello to all newbies and welcome. :D
LilyParker
13 years ago
*waves hi*
Hi, everyone! I'm LilyParker, but you can also call me Pauline (my real name). I got introduced to the Sims via The Sims Social on Facebook. I used my FB sim's name for my avatar. My husband never knows what to get me for Christmas, so I hinted that I was thinking of buying the Sims, and he bought me the Deluxe game + Generations. I'm completely addicted. :shock: I don't know anyone in RL that plays. I'm probably not your average simmer being that I'm middle aged. Geez, did I just say that out loud?

I went from a complete CC junkie to a fresh install. Too many problems. I've spent lots of time lurking in the forums (mostly tech). It wasn't until I poked around in the GG forum that I found the warmest, nicest people! I've entered a few contests, and they've helped me step outside my box. For the first few months, I just played and created some sims. I'm still a complete noob about a lot of things. Built & uploaded one house and have another ready to be uploaded soon. Not my strong point, but I'm learning. I'm amazed at how many truly talented builders there are!

Anyway, I've been rambling. Did I mention I like to talk? :lol: I'd love to make some new friends!!!
plumdot
13 years ago
How-do everyone! This is a great thread - I think introductions are a fantastic way to bring the community together.

I'm a definite lurker, but I've been playing Sims since the original one came out (does that make me old?) :-) and I've been a member of the forum since 2009.

I got tired of playing my game (had a long legacy of vampires going), so I came to check out the forum again. I enjoy interior designing (any design competitions going right now?), but I just entered my first building competition (and I've been buried in tutorials for the past two days) hosted by Skymyst. I'm finding that building, especially landscaping, is my weak point.

I love checking out everyone's work - there are some very talented people on this forum!

Glad to meet ya'll!
MsYouniquee
13 years ago
I've been waiting for a thread like this!! (:

Hello My name is Eunique, pronounced U-Nique :lol: I've been apart of the sims 3 community since 2010 but i didn't become active till a few weeks ago. I was always afraid to post on the forums because well i'm new so i never thought people would take an interest in me anyways :roll: But here lately i have made alot new friends! And alot of people have made me feel so welcome. I don't have alot of friends that play sims IRL and it's nice to know that there are people out there that play regularly just like I do. I never thought about posting in the Gift gathering forum because i always thought it was for the "richer" simmers and I didn't belong here. But I gave it a look and i found out that not everyone has 4829323 simpoints. Everyone is just nice and giving and i find that so fantastic. It's really good that there are good people on the forums and on the sims 3 website in general i just want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone that has made me feel welcomed to the site. :mrgreen:
mashellestevens
13 years ago
*Stands up and clears throat*

Hello.... my name is Mashelle and I am a simaholic o.o

I have entered a few contests and been around for a little while, but I am not really well known by anyone. Probably because, as in real life, I have a hard time putting myself out there. BUT I am trying to work on that!

I have a really hard time keeping up with the constant post updates, but bare with me I am trying :P I plan on being around for a while, so I figured I would make a formal introduction :D HI!
InvisibleLyndz
13 years ago
Someone farted heat? :lol:

Good morning everyone!
The weather is looking quite promising today for a change (it's supposed to be raining for a whole month!). How is everyone?

I'm getting quite nervous for my interview on wednesday, I really need a job! :D
johnscorpio
13 years ago
stormwench wrote:
Doing pretty good today :) Diesel released so I have been busy planning new outfits for my simmies. My males all have at least 3 everyday outfits to change into - they were so lacking in good looking clothing until now!

I am going to have to wait for a while before I use any furniture, I am not ready to redecorate yet and I have a request in for a new house for LP so will probably wait for that before I do.

I really like the Diesel Stuff Pack. I got it yesterday early since I ordered through Origin , I guess is the reason. It does have some better looking Male clothing.
danigirl67
13 years ago
InvisibleLyndz wrote:
I got another interview, yey!!

For the same company? That is very good news! :mrgreen:
TheJokerLives99
13 years ago
What would you consider an large gift? Because I dont want to sound like a greedy person through my wishlist.