*** UPDATE 6/29/18: Yet another TWO packages... one was an Amazon package for some spools of wire, wire strippers, and wire cutters. The other had HANDMADE gifts. I like dragons, and Santa 3D printed me 2 dragons, red and green, with a custom platform he designed. He was even thoughtful enough to include both felt and rubber feet for the base so I could have choices. Excuse me; tearing up right now.

*** UPDATE 6/25/18: Santa sent one more package for the electronics: 120 male-male, female-female, male-female jumper wires (ToT)

*** UPDATE 6/24/18: Santa's generosity apparently knows no bounds. I received another package with three additional items so essentially all of the engineering-related items on my wishlist have been checked off: a soldering kit (complete with solder sucker, different tips, and stand!), Gerber suspension multitool (9 ounces of pure functionality!), and a ratcheting screwdriver (with handle compartment for storing bits!). I'm still in disbelief at your generosity, Santa: you have my promise that I'll continually pay it forward!

Original post 6/21/18: I'm always excited to have a series of messages with my Santa, but this rematch Santa took it to the next level: he had little elves that messaged me about sizing and such too! My original Santa eventually messaged me and shipped a gift after the shipping deadline so I offered to contact help desk to connect this rematch Santa to a giftee who actually got shafted. He still decided to stick with me and send gifts as originally planned: I was extremely grateful and signed up to be a rematcher in some other exchanges to pay it forward, while I excitedly waited.



Fast foward: today I received the package from my mysterious Santa. For a package intended for a pajamas exchange it was surprisingly heavy (and I could see that shipping was expensive :O). I open this large box and a typed letter of instructions greets my eyes. My anticipation immediately skyrockets.



Then I put the letter on the table and take out 8 numbered and wrapped gifts. My anticipation shoots through the roof and reaches the moon before I can say, "Holy cow."



Deep breath



Without further ado, these are gifts 1-8 that my amazing rematch Santa carefully picked out:



* A lavender tank top and shorts set with lovely lace edges (Picture doesn't do it justice!): Santa mentioned that these were their 5th pick for me because the first four didn't have my size. I was already in love with how smooth and comfortable they felt (not to mention the lavender color being so calming) so since this was the 5th choice for gift 1 out of 8, I could tell I was in for one heck of a ride (as if the typed letter weren't enough of an indication).



* A Designed by Humans tank top from my wishlist and a matching pair of thick PJ shorts: Santa picked this and apologized in case I didn't like the first PJ set. I just want to say please, please don't worry: I'm so happy and it's only gift 2 out of 8!!



* A flowy peach tank top with a picture of a dragon flying in a starry night background: Santa's selection couldn't have been more accurate for the type of fantasy artwork I like. I especially love that the art has feathered edges instead of a boxy illustration: great choice!



* Here's where my eyes started to get misty: gifts 4-8 were chosen from my wishlist as a tribute to me being a female in engineering. I'm incredibly touched to receive useful tools related to my career. Gift 4 was a stainless steel goniometer (layman's term: fancy protractor) that I've wanted because I use it so often in the machine shop.



* Gift 5 was a 6-in-1 multitool pen that featured a universal stylus tip, ballpoint pen, inch and centimeter ruler, bubble level, Phillips screwdriver bit, and flathead screwdriver bit. No need to stop by the machine shop when I have it all in the palm of my hand ;) It also came with pen refills so this will follow me for a long, long time!



* Gift 6 was a book: "Exploring Arduino" by Jeremy Blum. I've been wanting to do more project work with electronics so this will definitely be a great reference to turn to!



* Gift 7 was a pack of 3 Arduino nanos: a perfect companion to the Exploring Arduino book, and the compact size suitable for small hobby projects.



* Gift 8 was a cherry on top: a pack of 37 sensors, ranging from buttons to LEDs to relay switches, to use with the Arduinos. My summer is going to be sen-sor-ational (heh).



Deep breath



To conclude this long gift post, I'd like to thank my rematch Santa from the absolute bottom depths of my heart. I signed up for the exchange hoping for some comfy PJs to wear in bed, and what I received, from a rematch Santa, was a gift in itself just to open: I would still be ecstatic if each package had bubble wrap in them ;) Just think: rematch Santa could have just had everything shipped to my address, but he collected everything, gift-wrapped and numbered everything, took the time to type up instructions and paid a lot in shipping costs for this single exchange. It's the most wonderful feeling to come home to a package full of consideration. I appreciate all the careful, considerate choices that were made (the dragon tank top was the highlight) and the engineering-related presents were such a thoughtful, well-meaning surprise. Thank you, thank you, thank you rematch Santa! I hope your future Santas to come spoil you as much as you've spoiled me -- and then some!