Where do I start with my Secret Santa?

Quite honestly, this has been the most fun Secret Santa I’ve participated in. My Santa contacted me straight away to say hello and to let me know to get prepared to have my christmasiest socks knocked off. Cue a lot of excitement from me! Normally, I’m a bit of a Grinch (No seriously, my workmates and friends nickname me the Grinch at Christmas) but I adore Reddit Secret Santa!

Next, my Santa passed along a message from the Elves. They asked me:

What my favourite decade was in the 18th and 19th Century

Whether I’d have a coffee with Arthur Conan Doyle or a KFC with Benedict Cumberbatch

If I joined the Elves on University Challenge what questions could I answer?

If I joined the Elves on Mastermind what would my speciality subject be?

What my favourite musicals are.

What sort of video games the people of my island like to play.

My Santa had me in fits of giggles. The way the questions were written were just fantastic. So, I answered all the questions and pretty soon I received an email to let me know a gift had been shipped.

A few days later, Sherlock and his Violin turned up at my door. I am a MASSIVE Sherlock fan. I even travelled to the Royal Albert Hall last year to attend the Sherlock themed Prom!

I quickly messaged my Santa to let him know that Sherlock had arrived at my home and that he was fitting in quite well with the rest of my collection.

Then. My friends, the unexpected happened. My Santa sent me a riddle to work out, to give me a clue about the theme of my next gift. I LOVE RIDDLES. Now, I work too hard and I do far too much stuff outside of work. It’s been a real struggle to wear a smile lately. But Santa, this honestly was the most fun I have had in ages. I couldn’t stop grinning. Trying to work it all out and the excitement of sending a message with my working out and seeing if it was correct.

After a couple of clues (thank you Santa!) and a bit of research I worked out the following clues:

Place de la Bastille

1815

1832

Cosette

All of these clues led me to the musical Les Miserables.

A few days later the most beautiful print turned up at my door.

Les Miserables means a lot to me. It’s one of my favourite musicals and in July I was lucky enough to be in a sold out amateur production of it in my home town. Santa, a few tears were shed. It really means that much to me.

And that’s it ladies and gentlemen. My Santa may not have been a celebrity, someone well known or had money to spare. He’s just a student studying Computer Science. But quite honestly, he has made my Christmas.

So thank you Santa, I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and an amazing 2017.