Classes are coming to an end, finals are right around the corner and you’ve just returned to campus from Thanksgiving break. You can officially start to shamelessly embrace the fact that it’s almost Christmas and tell the haters to take a seat. It’s time to buy holiday drinks from Starbucks, blast Christmas music and wear your favorite ugly sweater. But would it really be Christmas time if you didn’t partake in at least one Secret Santa gift exchange? I think not.
Secret Santa is a tradition that has followed us from our teenage years into our young adult lives. Come on, who doesn’t remember having a Secret Santa gift exchange with their class when they were younger? It’s the perfect way to get out of buying everyone in your friend group a present and only having to get one. Let’s be honest on a college student budget one gift is probably all we can afford. However, this year you should consider taking your Secret Santa skills to a whole new level. Secret Santa with other people from around the world! Yes, that’s right you can exchange gifts with someone online from 160 different countries.
“I think the opportunity to make a complete stranger’s day a little brighter honestly represents what Christmas is all about. Taking the time to appreciate others and step back from your daily routine and lifestyle, says junior journalism major Ana Blickenstaff.
Redditgifts started in 2009 and is a website that allows you to exchange gifts with people from around the world. According to Redditgifts 89,421 people participated in their Secret Santa gift exchange last year. It’s just a tad bit more exciting than exchanging gifts with people who live on your dorm floor.
Participating in Redditgifts Secret Santa gift exchange is simple and FREE. Don’t us college students just love anything that is simple and free? To get started visit Redditgifts online and sign up and create a profile. Once your profile has been created the website holds a matching day where people are matched to be each other’s Secret Santa’s. From there the gift exchange begins and you can expect an extra special present from someone else around the world.
“I think it would be pretty cool to participate and see what other people are like. I’ve actually met some friends over the Internet before and we’ve met in person and have become really close,” said junior Chloé Bonifacio.
Secret Santa can’t get more exciting than exchanging gifts with a complete stranger! Below are just a few photos of presents users have received from their Redditgifts Secret Santa. These gifts show just how thoughtful someone can be. Even someone who you have never even met before! And if you’re not too happy with your present, you don’t have to suffer through the awkward “thank you” like you normally would exchanging a Secret Santa gift in person. You could totally try the process again, and regift in hopes of something more you!
Go out of your comfort zone this year and make a new holiday tradition!
*All photos are courtesy of Redditgifts.com