Redditor asks for iPad for Christmas, gets Bill Gates as her secret Santa

When user NY1227 decided to take part in Reddit’s massive secret Santa exchange, little did she know she’d be getting something that didn’t quite fit on her wishlist of “makeup, nail polish, glittery things” and an iPad… like a personal gift and note from Bill Gates. Yes, really.

Rachel documented the whole crazy story in her own post on Reddit, explaining how she didn’t realise the thoughtful gift she received from her secret Santa was from the founder of Microsoft himself until she found a photo of Gates standing with her present in front of his Christmas tree. In her words:

Still not realizing who was gifting me, I quickly opened the bulk and weight of the gift, which was an amazing and beautiful travel book, “Journeys of a lifetime.” I went on and on in my likes and dislikes for my love of travel and seeing the world, and I cannot WAIT to read this. Not only that, but I love pictures and reading up on new places. This gift was perfect! I quickly flipped through it, missing the inscription, message and signature from Bill on the first page, and headed to the final part of my gift.

Once again, To me, From Bill. I opened this and it’s a man holding a sign. Oh….

wait.

holy sh*t.

time out.

and then it finally hit me. All the presents I just tore open, the charity, then everything– was from Bill GATES. I quickly went back to the book to see a really nice message and note from Bill wishing me a Merry Christmas and a Happy Birthday (not pictured, because I really want to keep one part of this gift to myself) my jaw hit the EVER LOVING FLOOR. I went back to all the other gifts completely shocked. Then I paused for a minute and thought, what if this is someone screwing with me. Well of course Mr. Bill Gates already thought of this and took a picture of himself with my stuffed animal and a sign and then sent me the stuffed animal and sign.

In case you’re wondering, no, Gates didn’t stick in a free Surface as part of his present — as Rachel explains, the gift was actually really thoughtful and lined up with her own interests. In addition to the travel book, Gates also donated to Heifer International on her behalf, and gave her the stuffed cow to represent the real life animal the charity would provide to a needy family on her behalf. Well played, Mr Gates.