I am SO FREAKING HAPPY with this gift for a number of reasons. I have a degree in flute performance, and am really interested in traveling to Bali someday to learn more about gamelan music. My secret Santa sent me a Balinese flute, with a handwritten note from the man who made it!

What my secret Santa might not know is that I've had to take a very long break from playing my western flute, because my shoulders and back are messed up and the playing position is too much for me to handle right now. However, this style of flute is held directly in front of you instead of off to the side, and it doesn't hurt my back or shoulders at all! I am so so so happy to have this as a creative musical outlet. I may or may not have cried a little when I figured out how to hold it and how to get a sound out of the thing, after realizing that it wouldn't put me through a lot of pain. I am so grateful to this very kind stranger, and to Reddit for organizing the exchange!