I've never done a redditgift exchange before, so after signing up for Arbitrary Day, I watched the video of kickme444's TedX talk which got even more excited about participating.

I wanted more chances to be a gifter, so was happy to see that there were a slew* of gift exchanges going on.

Then I realized I didn't have any more exchange credits, so was slightly less happy, but still interested in seeing what each one was about.

When I clicked on "bookmarks" and saw it required 0 credits, my happiness level escalated, and I signed up. I also signed up as a rematcher, since I wanted to do that for the Arbitrary exchange, but money's a bit tight, so this seemed more doable. Happiness level escalates higher.

Then I had a bit of a reality check and realized that (a) I rarely read actual books anymore (vs. ebooks) and (b)even when I do, I've never really used bookmarks (I don't fold the corner either, I just look through until I find my spot).

Still, it's an opportunity to connect with strangers by giving gifts, and my thought was it's less about what's being exchanged, and more about the exchange itself.

I couldn't really thing of anything to put in the "likes/dislikes" section, and it was getting late, I had a headache, so decided I'd update it on match day.

By the time I looked at it (which I thought was not long after receiving the email), my gift showed as shipped. Cool! I figured maybe my Santa just had a cool bookmark in mind that would work for anyone; but whatever it was, I love a surprise so was eager to see what it was.

The tracking info link didn't work, so I figured the system had to be updated and planned to check today or tomorrow.

I was late leaving the house for an appointment today, then took WAY too long trying to pick up some prescriptions (a couple of mix-ups), and couldn't get a spot that was close to my gate to make it easier to unload my groceries. And I was getting a headache.

As I walk towards my door, I notice a HUGE box (my amazon subscribe & save) - my first thought was "I don't want to have to deal with dragging this in & putting stuff away now".

Then I notice there's a smaller box on top. I tried to remember what I may have ordered that was tiny, as I opened the package.

Then I saw THREAD! Different colors of thread!

I've recently have started to try new hobbies, and one of them is learning to sew & embroider. I don't think I had that posted anywhere at the time my Santa ordered the gift and I certainly wasn't expecting anything "sewing-ish" from the bookmark exchange, but my Santa is The Best and sent me a kit to make 2 cross-stitched bookmarks!

Maybe this is too long a story to describe bookmarks, but it brought me so much joy to receive such a thoughtful, wonderful gift.

(I don't know my Santa's reddit username & want to respect his privacy, so won't mention his full name here, but I want to say a big THANK YOU to John B. I LOVE your gift and am so grateful to have had you as my Santa!)