The annual Blood & Plunder Secret Santa is back! Christmas is just over the horizon and for several years, Blood & Plunder players around the world have been participating in a Secret Santa event to promote some pirate holiday cheer! Here are the details on how you can participate!
Blood & Plunder Secret Santa
The plan is simple. Paint up some Blood & Plunder minis and send them out to another pirate and then some Blood & Plunder goodies will show up in your mailbox! It’s a fun way to connect with other players, and it’s a fun way to share your painting skills with others!
Secret Santa Details
This is an “unofficial” event run by long-time Blood & Plunder player Adam Horton. This is his 5th year running the event and it’s always fun to see those gifted minis pop up on the Facebook and Discord groups.
Here’s how you sign up: contact Adam Horton( either on Facebook or Discord). You can find the 2024 Secret Santa Post linked right here, or you can search “Secret Santa” in the big Blood & Plunder – Buccaneering Across the Spanish Main Facebook Group. Or you can ask about it in the “painting-and-hobbying” channel in the Firelock Games Discord (join using this link).
You will need to provide:
- Your Name
- Your Address
- What Nations you play
Once you sign up, you will be sent the info for another player and it’s your job to paint up something and send them some minis!
What Should I Paint?
You have some freedom in what you paint/create, but it should be something in the ~$20 range that would fit into the nationality played by your assigned pirate. Good options include:
- Unit of 4 minis
- Fancy commander mini
- 1 mini and a small terrain piece
- Small boat
- Mini and a cannon or two
Official content isn’t required but it’s probably safest and most polite, not knowing the exact preferences of the person your sending to. And make sure it’s appropriate and helpful given the nation your player plays!
What If I’m Not a Pro Painter?
You don’t need to be an expert painter to participate. Just do your best and put some love into it! If you’re great at terrain, maybe lean into that. If you’re best at “tabletop quality speed paint style,” lean into that a do a full unit. If you love modifying models, make a couple special characters using the plastic kits. Or if you’re a professional painter, pick up one of the Legendary Commanders for their nation and spend some extra time painting it up really well. Just lean into your strengths!
It should all be “playable.” Don’t spend a lot of time modifying Piet Heyn as the Energize Bunny or something overly clever like that…
Secret Santa Timeline
Sign up NOW! Some pairings have already been sent out but you still have plenty of time! The goal is to get people matched up quickly so people have time to paint. You are encouraged to send out your goodies by December 1st so it arrives during the Christmas season. But if you’re working on something cool and need some extra time, just let Adam know you’ll be late and it’s not an issue. Just don’t be like this author and send it out in January…
How Much Does it Cost?
You should expect to spend about $30. The only cost is the minis you send and the postage it takes to send it. International postage is a possibility, but will not be heedlessly assigned to you without consultation (a small package of 1 mini costs about $5.50 within the US and about $15.50 for international shipping).
Better to Give than Receive
Contrary to all pirate philosophy, this event is about giving more than getting. Please sign up with the goal of sending someone something cool, and not hoping to profit or come out ahead. The Blood & Plunder community is full of great people and you should get something great. But it’s possible you’ll get something worth less than you sent, but remember, it’s Christmas and your sending a gift. It’s not entirely transactional.
Final Thoughts
Sign of up for the Blood & Plunder Secret Santa today! Grab a mini and get to painting!
Here are some more Secret Santa projects from years past for some inspiration.
Contact Adam Horton ASAP to get involved!
