Looks like this shallow attempt at holiday giving is just a hoax that resembles a classic pyramid scheme.

young woman preparing Christmas tree and gifts
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No, you are not going to get 36 gifts for $10 through a magical sisterhood of gift-giving Facebookers.

Many people have seen posts describing the "Secret Sister Gift Exchange" on social media that promises a flood of gifts coming your way if you buy a $10 gift for a "sister." Snopes.com has confirmed that this is a scam that doesn't dish out the promised returns.

Here is what it looks like:

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.

Officials note that these gift exchanges are "mathematically impossible" and illegal. This chain letter system is essentially a poor form of gambling that some may win, but most will lose out on.

Also, you are giving out personal information that may not be used to send you a wonderful gift. That would make for a very un-merry Christmas.

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