Michigan woman discovers her Secret Santa is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates

Bisma Parvez | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Reddit user shocked after realizing Bill Gates is her Secret Santa Reddit user Shelby couldn't believe her luck when an 81-pound package was delivered to her from billionaire Bill Gates.

DETROIT – A Michigan woman had a very merry Christmas this year. Her Secret Santa turned out to be Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates.

After participating in numerous RedditGifts exchanges, a metro Detroit woman named Shelby, who asked that her last name not to published, hit the jackpot on her 95th exchange receiving an 81-pound package Dec. 17.

The package was full of thoughtful and geeky gifts from books to Lego sets, a clear indication that Gates and his team really did their homework on Shelby's interests.

Even the inside was lit up by a strand of fairy lights, according to her Reddit post.

After a difficult year from losing her mother days before her wedding, this surprise was exactly what Shelby needed for some holiday cheer.

"Bill Gates, you are a blessing. This year has been a complete roller coaster of emotions for me; in March, I lost my mother completely unexpectedly only 10 days before my destination wedding ..." she shared in her post.

Looking to buy an Oculus Quest?: You'll have better luck finding the VR headset in February

Technology in 2020: What's to come? AirPods Pro, Oculus Quest return to stores

However, the most thoughtful gift was a donation the billionaire made to the American Heart Association in honor of Shelby's mother.

"Your donation to The American Heart Association in my mom’s memory is the most special gift of all. It means more to me than I can express."

As an avid RedditGifts user, Shelby is well aware that Bill Gates has participated before. However, that's not the reason she joined.

"I really encourage people to join the gift exchange. I've been matched with people like myself and it's a ton of fun to learn about someone else and brighten their day, Shelby said. "Plus it's great to get a gift in the mail instead of the usual junk mail and bills."

According to the post, other gifts include:

Bill’s Deck of Books 2019

A Harry Potter Santa hat

The Legend of Zelda Hylian Shield earrings

Handmade Zelda quilt

A hammock with bug net

Almond Roca

Seattle mint chocolates

Jelly Belly’s

Toys for her cat

Seven packs of assorted Oreos

A cat-themed logic game

Eight hardcover books

A manuscript copy of The Great Gatsby

A candle inscribed with a passage from The Great Gatsby inscribed

Two adult-level LEGO sets: Harry Potter Microscale Hogwarts and the retired Star Wars UCS R2D2

A plethora of Twin Peaks gifts including an embroidered L.L. Bean jacket worn by crew members during the second season of the show.

Gates has participated in the RedditGifts’ Secret Santa exchange for many years. According to tech news site GeekWire, Gates organically got involved in 2013 and signed up as any other user would.

All Secret Santa participants are matched completely randomly, according to Reddit.

Contact Bisma Parvez at bparvez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter @bismapar.