This was my first year participating in Reddit SS and wasn't quite sure what to expect. I began exploring r/secretsanta and seeing all the joy this event was bringing people and in turn I got more and more excited for my giftee to receive what I had chosen for them. So much so that I had all but forgotten that this was an exchange and I’d also be receiving a gift as well.

My Santa reached out to me and asked several follow up questions which I was glad to answer. After a few back and forths communication stopped and I waited. When I finally got the notification that my gift had shipped I got even more excited. I immediately tried to track it, however, my Santa had unintentionally mistyped the tracking number which just increased the suspense and excitement even more. Well today the wait was finally over.

The box that arrived had a short message that stated I must open the gifts in order. Inside there were four gifts, each wrapped with their own numbered tag and a message on the back of each.

Gift 1: “For you alone” A grey (my favorite color btw, a question I didn’t answer) shirt of one of my favorite anime characters as well as a small figure of the same.

Gift 2: “For you or you can share” Three different flavors of spicy beef jerky. This is one of my favorite snacks and my SS knocked it out of the park with the flavors. Hot Jalapeño, Chipotle Habanero, and Chipotle Bourbon. I immediately tried each and they were all fantastic. The chipotle bourbon was my favorite in case you’re wondering (bourbon is also my favorite liquor, another question not asked but somehow magically made its way into the gifting)

Gift 3: “For the family, whether magic or muggle” Harry Pottery themed UNO. This is my older daughters favorite card game and one that she is constantly asking to play (my SS only knew she liked HP. Seriously, some magic happened here). This will be used quite frequently and my daughter was asking to play tonight so I already have after dinner plans.

Gift 4: “For traction when pulling baby gates apart with your bare hands” Cute animal themed grippy socks for my younger slighter. My SS has asked what my daughters ages are and what they are into. I mentioned that my 18 month old likes to explore and has superhuman strength which she’s exhibited by forcefully opening a baby gate with her bare hands. They went on her feet right away and guess what the first thing she did was?

Thank you so much Santa, whoever you are. You truly made this a magical first experience for not just me, but my whole family.