Smogon WiFi's 9th Annual Secret Santa Giveaway [SIGN-UPS OPEN!]

[Chlora]

Lovely banner art by MamOwOswine (Check out their art thread!)
Approved by Xen ​

Hello, and welcome to Smogon WiFi's 9th annual Secret Santa thread. I'll be hosting for 2025! Thank you to Eisenherz, Ullar, TyVip, Lego, Light Sanctity, Tatertot and Bobsican for hosting the previous years' events!
Come spread the holiday cheer through Pokémon with us!

I'm interested! So, how does this work?​

Everyone who signs up will be someone's Santa, and will have a different Santa of their own.
Santas will prepare a gift based on the giftee's likes, interests, and their own personal taste throughout the month of December, and will deliver it after Christmas day, once pairings will be revealed.

Everyone will give and receive a gift!
As well as...

Extra sign-up souvenir​

Everyone who participates is eligible to receive this Larvitar as an extra participation reward! If you would like one of your own, make sure to specify it when signing up.

Larvitar the Living Legend

Level 20
Careful Nature (-SpA, +SpD)
Ability: Guts (becomes Sand Stream)
IVs: 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31
Knows Dragon Dance and Pursuit!​

A few things worth noting:
- Titles only show up when equipping the title (only in Gen 8 or later games).
- Moves will change when being transferred to Gen 9 or later.
- You can receive this in DPP/HGSS, BW/BW2, SWSH, SV and HOME. Generation 4 and 5 trading will require you knowing how to connect to a custom DNS server.
- This Larvitar was hatched from an egg in Soul Silver, obtained legitimately using only original hardware through RNG manipulation, and then cloned using glitches. If you're not okay with this, you are free to decline receiving it.

Sign-up form​

In order to sign up, simply reply to this post with some information about you. Examples of good questions to answer would be...

What are your favourite types?
What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions?
What are your favourite colors?
Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon?
Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
What games can you trade your gift in?
What games do you want to receive your gift in?
Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?

You don't have to follow this format, and you can also include anything else you want, including multiple answers to one question. The more you talk about yourself, the more info your santa has to work with in order to figure out a gift you'll enjoy! Feel free to yap about your interests.
Answering the last 3 questions is mandatory.

Dates, deadlines, and important info​

Sign-ups will be open until December 1st. If you're reading this late, you may still attempt to sign-up, but i give you no guarantees you'll be able to participate.
You will be assigned a giftee, and you must prepare a gift for them until December 25th (Christmas day).
On Christmas day, all pairs will be revealed, and gifts may begin to be given out! There will be leniency, but all gifts should be distributed by January 8th.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOUR GIFT IS GOING. If you're unable to complete your gift, either i or someone else will fill in for you. You can still receive your own gift and the Larvitar, so don't worry about it!
Your gift does not have to be shiny, and you are not limited to just one! As long as you think it's special and that your giftee will enjoy it, you're free to give them whatever you decide!

Feel free to reach out to me through Smogon PMs or Discord (@chlora_) for any questions or concerns you may have.

List of sign-ups:

User list

If your name doesn't show up here, please be patient! I'm not online 24/7.

Xen
Lunaflare
Tatertot
RoyalReloaded
SpiritGuy
CPBBAE
Rain Moon
Buckert
MagnusArcanum
TrueIssue

 

[Xen]

*What are your favourite types?
-Water/Bug/Dragon
*What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions?
-Johto/Unova, Gen 2/5
*What are your favourite colors?
-Light blue & teal
*Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon?
-I like both! :xenglad:
*Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
-I train Pokemon with competitive in mind, although nowadays I would consider my playstyle to be more casual due to time constraints
*What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
-Not too picky overall in terms of balls and types. I guess I'm not a huge fan of Timer Ball, but it still is fine with the right Pokemon
*Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
-Nicknames are cool, although certainty isn't a requirement. Either way works
*Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
-Petitioning Game Freak to delete Cinderace from existence
*Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
-I'm good on my end, but ty!
*What games can you trade your gift in?
-Can trade in HOME or any of the Switch-era games here!
*What games do you want to receive your gift in?
-HOME or any of the Switch games is fine with me! Albeit I would prefer SV or PLZA if I have to specifically choose
*Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?
- I could help if need be, ye

Thanks again for hosting! \o/

 

[Lunaflare]

Thanks for hosting! Unfortunately I do not have many dislikes when it comes to Pokemon, so I apologize if my Santa struggles a little. I left out the dislikes stuff on purpose. However, I’m not a fan of the Ultra Ball unless it matches.

What are your favorite types?
Dragon, Water, Dark, Psychic, and Grass.

What are your favorite Pokemon games and regions?
Sinnoh is my favorite region because I'm a fan of the creation trio, but Galar and Paldea are good too. I don't really have a favorite game, so I can't choose.

What are your favorite colors?
Dark blue and silver.

Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokemon?
Both!

What kind of movesets do you like?
I enjoy gimmicky movesets that could catch opponents by surprise. I also like novelty IDs and stuff.

What is your playstyle?
A little bit of everything, but I'm mostly a collector.

Do you like nicknames on your Pokemon?
Yes.

Do you like ribbons/marks/titles?
Yes, because I believe they add personality and flair.

Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar?
Yes please! Thank you for obtaining and distributing it!

What games can you trade your gift in?
I have every Switch Pokemon game since LGPE so I can do any of them. Depending on what I get for you, I may or may not be able to trade them in gens 4/5.

What game do you want to receive your gift in?
HOME, Scarlet/Violet, or Legends Z-A please.

Would you be available to be a substitute Santa?
It depends on how finals go, but the answer is probably no.

What other games do you play?
Animal Crossing, Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong Bananza, Splatoon, World of Warcraft, Toontown Rewritten, various Club Penguin servers, and the Legend of Zelda. (Majora's Mask is my favorite!)

What gifts have you received in the past?
A shiny Roaring Moon named Farosh and two adorable Cleffa named Tatl and Tael. I appreciate them all!

 

[Tatertot]

What are your favourite types?
Ghost, Steel, and Poison

What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions?
I love the Legends games, also Hoenn and Unova as regions

What are your favourite colors?
Purple

Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon?
Either

Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
Both!

What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
Spinda

Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
I like nicknames, but I'm also totally fine with non-nicknamed mons

Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
In previous years I've received Mawile, Froslass, Beartic, and Gothitelle, so not one of those please!

Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
No thanks!

What games can you trade your gift in?
Any

What games do you want to receive your gift in?
Any

Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?
Sure thing, happy to

 

[RoyalReloaded]

What are your favourite types?
Steel, Ground, Dark

What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions?
RSE are my favorite games and Hoenn is my favorite region

What are your favourite colors?
Purple and yellow

Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon?
Either

Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
I usually play competitively

What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
Not too big on Poison or Bug types, not a fan of quick, heal, nest, great ball

Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
Yes

Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
The only time I've ever done Secret Santa I got Duraludon, so preferably not a duplicate lol

Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
Yes please, SV

What games can you trade your gift in?
DPPt, BW, BW2, XY, USUM, SWSH, LGPE, PLA, SV, Z-A

What games do you want to receive your gift in?
No preference

Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?
Yes

 

[SpiritGuy]

What are your favourite types?
Water, Dragon, Bug, Fighting, Poison

What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions?
Kalos and Hoenn as regions, wouldn't surprise you if I say you my favorite games are Gen 6 ones (both XY and ORAS)

What are your favourite colors?
Teal

What kind of Pokemon do you like the most ?
I usually love monsterized marine animals/bugs

Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
Both

What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
Class Pokeballs (Poke, Great, Ultra and Master). But I usually dislike when a Pokemon isn't in a matching ball.

Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
Fine with and without nicknames

Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
Clawitzer, Dragalge, Crobat and Floatzel (because those are the most I received during the previous editions so I'd rather not receive duplicates)

Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
No thanks.

What games can you trade your gift in?
SWSH, BDSP, PLA, SV, PLZA

What games do you want to receive your gift in?
Same as above

Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?
I don't think so, so no.

 

[CPBBAE]

What are your favourite types?
Water, Ice, Poison, Fairy, Dark, Fighting

What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions?
Kanto, Hoenn and Unova for regions, but I like all the games

What are your favourite colors?
Teal, Navy, Purple, Dark Green

Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon?
I love both!

Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
Both

What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
I love Apriballs, but what matters the most is that the Pokemon's design/theme/color matches the ball they are caught in

Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
Not really a fan, but I can see the appeal

Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
Mostly Flying-types (funny since Lugia is my favorite pokemon, but I digress)

Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
Yes please! Any game works

What games can you trade your gift in?
Any

What games do you want to receive your gift in?
Any

Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?
Absolutely!

 

[Rain Moon]

Thanks for hosting; I'm looking forward to it!

What are your favourite types?
Psychic, Flying, Steel

What are your favourite Pokémon games/regions?
Sinnoh and Unova

What are your favourite colors?
Green, Blue, Grey

Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon?
Cute, but both are fine

Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both?
Casually

What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike?
Bruxish, Fighting type, Lure Ball

Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames?
Yes, absolutely!

Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive?
Not particularly

Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game?
Yes please, HOME or a Switch game would be easiest

What games can you trade your gift in?
HOME, SwSh, PLA, BDSP, SV, or PLZA

What games do you want to receive your gift in?
Any of the above

Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)?
Possibly, but not on short notice as I am rather slow

 

[Buckert]

Thanks for hosting Chlora ! I still remember the Keldeo I RNG abused for you a few years ago uwu

What are your favourite types? Fire, Steel, Dragon.
What are your favourite Pokémon games & regions? Unova & Paldea.
What are your favourite colors? Red, Black.
Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon? I prefer all of them. :)
Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both? Just here to collect everything, so a bit of both I guess.
What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike? I do not like LGPE or Beast Balls.
Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames? I do very much not like nicknames.
Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive? I received a Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy themed Metagross and a car themed shiny Genesect, so it'd be great if my gift is not the same.
Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game? It's a very kind gesture and a wonderful Pokémon, but I have too many Larvitar already so I have to pass on this one.
What games can you trade your gift in? Any Switch game or Home.
What games do you want to receive your gift in? Any Switch game or Home.
Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)? Most definitely, if given enough time to prepare something.

Edit: just a bit more info. Other interests of mine are The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, just got 1.000 hours in SnowRunner. Other hobbies are mainly driving cars or fixing my cars. :)

 

[MagnusArcanum]

Thank you for hosting! After years of just observing, I will finally participate - hopefully I can think of a fun, creative gift for whoever I get paired with :)

What are your favorite types? Dark, Dragon, Fire, Ghost
What are your favorite Pokémon games & regions? I have nostalgia for Crystal and Emerald, but I also really enjoyed SV. Didn't play gens 4-8 (besides ORAS), but I've been wanting to play through Unova because I keep hearing how great those games were.
What are your favorite colors? Green (if it's the right shade - usually prefer either bright, vibrant green or a rich, deep foresty green color... not the ugly green like shiny Muk), black, blue, red
Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon? Lean towards powerful, but I like both :)
Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both? I'm a casual because I get anxiety from competition, but I like to collect things as if I played competitive.
What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike? Not too keen on Pokemon that are too close to real-life inanimate objects (e.g. Klink and Vanillite lines). Least favorite balls are probably standard Poke Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, Heal Ball, and Nest Ball, .
Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames? Not for me.
Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive? I would be happy with anything someone is willing to spend the time putting together for me :)
Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game? Yes, please! I love the Larvitar line (the gen 2 nostalgia) even though I probably have a few dozen Tyranitar in my Home boxes. I can trade in any of the gen 8-9 games or in Home.
What games can you trade your gift in? SwSh, BDSP, SV, Home.
What games do you want to receive your gift in? Any of the above.
Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)? Since this is my first time participating, I will respectfully decline at this time as I don't want to overcommit myself.

Side comment in case it gives whoever I'm paired with more ideas - I love ball matching and I've most recently been super into mark hunting as I really love the personality marks that make each Pokemon feel more unique (especially if the mark is fitting for the Pokemon).

 

[TrueIssue]

Thanks for hosting! Last few ones were fun, so I want to participate again!

What are your favorite types? Rock, Ground, Water.
What are your favorite Pokemon games and regions? My first game was LeafGreen, and I am a big fan of Colosseum, Conquest, and Trozei. Favorite region is Ransei (Conquest), as far as main series goes I love them all equally.
What are your favorite colors? Grey and Brown
Do you prefer cute or powerful Pokémon? I prefer cute, but I think most are cute.
Do you prefer playing casually, competitive, or both? I do both, leaning more towards casual recently.
What are some Pokémon, types, Pokéballs, etc. that you dislike? Not applicable, there is nothing I truly dislike.
Do you like it when your Pokémon have nicknames? Yes, I love them being personal.
Are there any Pokémon in particular you would NOT like to receive? Not applicable, same answer as types/balls.
Would you like to receive the participation Larvitar? If so, in what game? Yes, in any Switch game if possible.
What games can you trade your gift in? Any Switch game/Home
What games do you want to receive your gift in? Any Switch game/Home
Would you be available to be a substitute santa (and prepare an additional gift in case someone becomes unable to)? Normally I say no, but this year I feel like if I am told early enough I could put something together.
What other series do you like? I am a fan of Monster Hunter, Touhou, Digimon, Granblue Fantasy, and Miscrits.

Thank you again! To give a bit of help, I tend to like some of the lesser appreciated mons like Relicanth and Minior (Minior is actually my favorite pokemon).