I bartend so I'm often sleeping into the afternoon. At some point in the late morning I was startled awake by a knock at the door, momentarily I laid in bed wondering who could be knocking. Almost everyone rings my bell because the screen door is shut. Did they knock on a window? Who would do that? Half asleep I decided it must be a package arriving and I'd better do my part and bring it in. I dressed and opened the door, there it was, the gift from my Secret Santa!

I was excited but still very sleepy so I set it on my kitchen table. I'd open it when I actually woke up.

A bit later I woke up and rushed out of the door needing to run errands before my shift at work that night. As things often go, I ran out of time before work and I didn't even set eyes on the gift again until I was about to drag myself to bed. I glanced at it longingly and proceeded to bed. It would have to wait until the morning. I was just too tired to properly enjoy it. I mean it's my first Reddit Secret Santa. I drifted off dreaming of apologies to the poor person anxiously waiting to hear if I enjoyed the gift they sent me.

This morning I woke up feeling like a kid on Christmas. Wondering how I had even fallen asleep thinking of the gift sitting waiting for me. I got dressed and went to the kitchen where a medium, brown box awaited me.

I sat down in front of it before picking it up. Just as I remembered it, the box had a little weight to it, considering its size.

Slicing open the box revealed a cylindrical shaped object wrapped in red and white Christmas paper and a card in an envelope. Setting aside the envelope I tore into the wrapping and as soon as I saw the logo I knew what it was. A travel hammock! I could already picture it set up off a trail next to my Jeep.

I grinned and thought “Wow! This is awesome!”. Turning the hammock bag to the side revealed that this particular hammock is double. My husband will fit too! The grin had turned into an ear to ear smile. Damn, this person really nailed it.

I then opened the envelope. Printed on heavy cardstock was an image of a Right Whale. I tried to remember ever mentioning my love of ocean creatures. Man, this person even rocked the card. I felt excited getting a brief peek into their life. What a cool person! Part of me felt a pang of sadness thinking I really missed out not sending a card along with my gift. I knew right then that next year I wouldn't forget it.

My first Reddit Secret Santa did not disappoint. Everything about the experience was a blast. From laughing at silly questions on the entry form, and later practically pacing my living room anxiously hoping my giftee likes what I sent them to the moment I sat with that gift unwrapped in my hands knowing I'd be participating in 2019.

Thank you so much Secret Santa. What a really amazing, and thoughtful gift. I can't wait to check it out in action.