Over the holidays last year, my team at work did a 'Secret Santa' gift exchange. We all picked a name out of a jar, and gave our assigned person small fun gifts over two weeks. Then, we all met after work one day for a final 'reveal' where we exchanged our real gifts.
Usually, these kinds of gift exchanges feel a bit more focused on material things than I like to be, but I wanted to be a team player, so I went along with it. It ended up being fun to scheme up a meaningful trail of gifts to give my colleague. On the evening of our final gift-giving exchange, the person who had picked my name out of the jar totally blew me away with her thoughtfulness. She gave me a beautiful framed photo and a postcard that she'd been holding on to since she was 5 years old.
Then, for the heart of her gift, she introduced, "I've noticed you're not really that big into material things. And you also like to make people smile."
She proceeded to hand everyone a small slip of paper that read, "I made someone smile today."
"So, I thought we could all do a small act that makes someone smile. And afterward, we can give you this slip of paper and tell you the story of it."
I was so stunned! It was truly the sweetest gift, and I didn't even know this colleague that well, but with her perceptive kindness, she really touched my heart, and expanded it many times over. :)
Usually, these kinds of gift exchanges feel a bit more focused on material things than I like to be, but I wanted to be a team player, so I went along with it. It ended up being fun to scheme up a meaningful trail of gifts to give my colleague. On the evening of our final gift-giving exchange, the person who had picked my name out of the jar totally blew me away with her thoughtfulness. She gave me a beautiful framed photo and a postcard that she'd been holding on to since she was 5 years old.
Then, for the heart of her gift, she introduced, "I've noticed you're not really that big into material things. And you also like to make people smile."She proceeded to hand everyone a small slip of paper that read, "I made someone smile today."
"So, I thought we could all do a small act that makes someone smile. And afterward, we can give you this slip of paper and tell you the story of it."
I was so stunned! It was truly the sweetest gift, and I didn't even know this colleague that well, but with her perceptive kindness, she really touched my heart, and expanded it many times over. :)
2649 Reads
- Posted by smileswithhope
- Mar 5, 2017
- Comments (11)
Readers Comments
newdayvow wrote: How wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
autumnsky38 wrote: Wow, so loving of her and so positive for all! Neat. : )
cabbage wrote: Wow! She really knows you well :-)
Riona wrote: Oh wow! This is such a beautiful instance of someone really "seeing" you, taking the time to understand what is meaningful to you. What an amazing colleague!
Mish wrote: I so love love love this, Smileswithhope!!! Perfect & awesome!!
kjoyw wrote: This great share really made me smile!
kiwicat wrote: wow, we used to do this at both of my previous schools when I was teaching there. Some people really got into the spirit of the giving, and others didn't make any or much effort - which was really sad for the person who was their buddy. I tried to do something for my buddy most days, and if I saw or heard that someone didn't get anything, then I'd give them a little something too.
splain wrote: Beautiful post. Beautiful giving
mindyjourney wrote: Leading by example, my friend <3. That's how we manifest the change we want to see in the world. And how perfect...considering your KS tag! :)))))) Smileswithhope :)))).
Lilijourney wrote: Smiling wide at this lovely share. 😄
