557 upvotes, 13 direct replies (showing 13)
View submission: Sunsetting Secret Santa and Reddit Gifts
I legit enjoyed Secret Santa. I do well financially, and it felt good to make someone's holiday a little better especially if they were struggling. There was fun to be have in searching for that perfect gift. I never really cared if someone never sent me anything since that was what happened the first time. Nevertheless, the second time I did Secret Santa someone did send me something and for me I actually appreciate the effort and thought, especially when she wrote a handwritten note to go along with the gifts. It made my day.
Comment by babygrenade at 09/06/2021 at 19:04 UTC
54 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I never did the secret santa - but really liked the fact that there were engaged people making it happen.
Comment by mojoriv at 09/06/2021 at 18:55 UTC
17 upvotes, 0 direct replies
100% ! I love the idea of gifting a stranger and making their day. I've made several reddit friends through secret Santa too. This was a terrible decision!
Comment by Stitch_Rose at 09/06/2021 at 19:24 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I really enjoyed SS too. Participated in multiple exchanges since 2016 and it was really great to see how even I transitioned as a person throughout the exchanges. I have so many great mementos and gifts I still use today.
Comment by svtguy88 at 09/06/2021 at 21:26 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
it felt good to make someone's holiday a little better
This.
I put too much thought/time/energy/money into my gift every year, but I do it because I want to make someone's holiday brighter. Seeing that post pop up in the gallery and knowing someone is happy about what a total stranger sent them is a great feeling.
Comment by WurthWhile at 09/06/2021 at 19:20 UTC
13 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Same here. I'm no Bill Gates but I usually spent a few thousand on reddit gifts each year. Honestly it's my favorite part of reddit and something I look forward to every year.
Comment by insanearcane at 10/06/2021 at 16:08 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't imagine I will find something like this again in my life. That's not to garner sympathy or imply that I don't have other connections, but I truly don't believe this organic, random, honest text-based sense of community will exist again. This is Old Internet now, it's gone alongside forums and craigslist. I have spent seven years taking my chances with strangers every month, delighting in the new hobbies and discoveries I've experienced. Some have become lifelong friends, some I have never spoken to, some peoples' reactions to my gifts have brought me to tears, and I have felt the same about many I've received.
This year has given me a lot of hits, but somehow the inorganic death of this constant in my life, since 2014, hurts the most. All that said, I am going to make someone's Pride and Arbitrary Day fucking magical, I don't care what it takes.
Comment by hopeandanchor at 09/06/2021 at 22:00 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I legit never did it because I was always broke and I felt bad I couldn't do anything super nice for people. I finally did ok this year and I was planning on getting into it. Such a bummer.
Comment by kevinstreet1 at 10/06/2021 at 01:27 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yeah, it's the human connection that makes it work. Especially during the holidays when many people are particularly lonely.
Comment by badstrudel at 10/06/2021 at 00:43 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
They would love your help in /r/santaslittlehelpers or /r/assistance
Comment by T466 at 10/06/2021 at 17:08 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Same here in a lot of ways. I found the giving rewarding. I never asked for anything of consequence, and was delighted at the hand made items.
This reminds me of the AMA change years ago. Unfortunate.
Comment by Netflixis at 12/06/2021 at 04:34 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I absolutely loved putting special thought and effort into my gifts, and loved receiving thoughtful gifts too. My favorite was when someone not only got me several items that were very catered towards multiple interests of mine, but they also hand-wrapped each one in Avengers wrapping paper because I had mentioned that I like Marvel. It was so cool that a stranger put so much thought and effort into every aspect of their gift.
Comment by creamersrealm at 27/08/2021 at 13:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Last year my girlfriend and I absolutely made a little girls Christmas. Her mom signed her up on her behalf. We got her a little doctos lab coat, the game operation, and some candy both regional and local. She sent us pictures and that right there made it all worth it.
Comment by 2old2tired at 23/11/2021 at 02:07 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My position exactly. I'm not Bill Gates, but I when I found someone struggling, I could make one day a bit better for them. I'll really miss this.