I'll start with what my Secret Santa got me before I go into why it's so amazing to me. The wood is Bass wood used in whittling, the clear container contains a set of professional carving tools as well as some high grit sanding pads, and the book contains histories and ideas for woodcarving as well as techniques and tips and tricks.

Things have been crazy for my family for the past few years and have been steadily weighing in more and more on us. Given my work schedule (80 Hour weeks) to make ends meet, I have had absolutely zero time to do anything for me nor the money to buy something to decompress with. My Secret Santa shares an interest in my favorite game franchise, Legend of Zelda, and recommended that I work on carving Majora's Mask, or perhaps the Hylian Shield if I get the chance.

I was almost in tears when this all arrived at my door, seeing that I hadn't just received just another item to add to the shelf but rather a chance to get away from the stresses of life and enjoy having a hobby again for the first time in almost a decade. I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I used to do wood working with my Dad when I was a kid, and those are by far my fondest memories. These gifts pulled me from a pretty dark place going into the holiday season and I'm already feeling so much better being able to be myself again rather than just working myself into the ground.