Yesterday had been a grueling 15 hour long work day and after another long day at work I was tired and grumpy. It was when I unassumingly slogged up my garden path, that I saw it. There it was, in all its glory. A brown box. Slumped against my front door. Picking it up and battling my way through the front lines of two cats ready to escape, I managed to deposit it on the kitchen table. An unassuming box. That's how it started.

Last year I was intrigued by the Reddit secret Santa. This year I decided to participate. Reading all the complaints from disgruntled former participants, my hopes were not high. I entered anyway, happy with the thought that even if I were not to receive anything exciting, at least I could brighten up someone else's day.

I was so wrong.

Opening the box I found a stack of gifts, all neatly wrapped, together with a card and printed out comic. I looked at the comic. It was about a cat attacking it's keeper's feet at night. I realized that not only this person had looked through my post history. They had put in a lot of effort and I could not help getting very excited.

Following the comic was a card which was crammed full of text. A lovely letter from my Secret Santa which detailed the care and thought that went into my gift. No matter what the actual gifts were to be, jut knowing that someone had put in this much effort made me happier than I could be and all props to my SSanta!

What followed were a large series of expertly chosen gifts! First there was an alpaca decorated shopping bag. I LOVE alpacas. Next up two buttons, one Star Trek (my favourite tv series!) and the other Harry Potter (As was the card, both expertly chosen if I may say so!). This was followed by an alpaca needle holder for my quiet hour hobby. I am very excited to use it! A bag of delicious (but I am sure my teeth may disintegrate eventually) cat shaped sweets. Mjum!

Then followed three flat packages. First was a military history book on the Dutch armies of the 80 years war. Very thoughtful, combining my country of origin and my passion for military history. Next up was a military murder mystery walking trail of Salisbury Plain! Having just moved to the edge of the plain this is a brilliant gift. It combines so many of my passions I cannot begin to fathom how this was chosen. I cannot wait for a spell of nice weather to