Depending on how you feel about capslock, exclamation marks and superlatives you might want to proceed with caution. Santa was ridiculously awesome, incredibly generous, fabulous at communication and just absolutely beyond any Santa-ing I could have expected.

Firstly, the "Santa pulled your info" email arrived before the "matching is done" email. I was online stalking my matches and felt immediately reassured that this would be an engaged and involved exchange. I was not prepared.

SIX parcels, said one of Santa's many messages. SIX. I did what anyone would do, obviously, and took up permanent residence at the door. I was NOT DISAPPOINTED. I was THE OPPOSITE OF DISAPPOINTED. Appointed? Maybe? Ecstatic? Overwhelmed? Delirious? Definitely something like all those things.

The first parcel, pretty damned amazing, contained a mixed three-pack of Brooklyn beers and a glass. The IPA was hands down my favourite - SO delicious - but the lager was also lovely and I let my husband drink the brown ale and he had nothing but good things to say about it.

The next thing to arrive was the Thug Kitchen vegetarian cookbook. I had never heard of them, but this is EXACTLY MY STYLE OF COOKING and I flippin' love it! I sent Santa a barely-coherent message about it and he came back with RECOMMENDATIONS. How amazing, right?! I'm making the chickpea spiced wrap things next week, they look fantastic. But the whole book is full of healthy, simple, delicious things and it's hilarious.

Parcels three and four arrived together. I opened the smaller flat one first: Jamie Oliver's BBQ book. Mmm, I thought to myself, I love BBQ. I wish ours hadn't been stolen/lost/dumped when we moved. I'll take this to my mother's house and grill everything.

Then I opened the fourth box. IT WAS ONLY A BARBECUE/SMOKER/GRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was slack jawed and amazed and so, so happy. I sent another slack jawed and amazed and incoherent message to Santa in total disbelief. And Santa then informed me that still to come were wood chips for smoking and Something Else. The wood chips arrived and I waited with absolutely no patience for the last parcel. I actually messaged my Santa after a week because I was convinced he'd think I received this amazing gift and like an asshole didn't even bother with a gift post. He replied to let me know it was coming - and that it was the Pioneer Woman's holiday cookbook. You guys, I love the Pioneer Woman, and I've wanted this book for ages. It finally arrived last night, I sat up till the crack of dawn reading it, and here it is and I am raving about this INCREDIBLE GIFT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, THIS IS THE MOST FANTASTIC COLLECTION OF COOKING RELATED STUFF I HAVE EVER SEEN.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANOTHER amazing cookbook arrived! Rosa's Thai Kitchen! It looks fantastic and I have already picked out the first recipe I'm making.

THANK YOU. YOU ARE AMAZING.