Would you take part in a Secret Santa with total strangers?

Reddit user kaskarn received this triangular soccer scene (left) in the mail, which unfolded to reveal a snowflake soccer ball (right). It was one of 11 intricate paper crafts the student got from a secret Santa. (kaskarn/redditgifts.com)

Imagine receiving paper triangles in the mail that unfold to reveal painstakingly crafted, custom-made snowflakes, as one French research assistant recently did.

"This is easily one of the most unique and personal gifts I've ever received," said Kaskarn, a user of the social news website Reddit.com.

He is one of over 27,000 "Redditors" who signed up to trade gifts with users from 101 countries -- an international exchange on the brink of securing the Guinness World Record for the largest Secret Santa exchange.

Kaskarn's Santa is among those proving just how thoughtful a perfect stranger can be, crystallizing several of the recipient's interests in delicate crafts. One paper triangle, which depicted two soccer players, unfolded to become a soccer ball snowflake.

"Soccer is my favorite activity, and this is arguably the most creative depiction of the beautiful game I have seen. A real treasure to me," wrote Kaskarn, who received ten other snowflakes containing everything from his workplace's logo to a dragon from one of his favourite video games.

Several other Reddit users have received incredibly personalized gifts.

Fzzylogic's Secret Santa found him on Facebook and recreated his profile picture in a wooden carving. Jamesiscoolbean's Santa painted Simpson's characters onto Vinyl records to combine two of his interests. UbiquitinatedKarma's Santa sent him a care package including two plush rabbits for his baby twins and a matching handmade quilt.

"Kimwim42, you've given a phenomenally heartfelt and touching Christmas to our family. 'Thank you' just seems inadequate," said the receiver, who hinted that he cried after opening the gift.

Several users posted videos of the presents they were sending and receiving on YouTube, such as Karenkavett who combined both into one video.

 

Have you or would you ever exchange gifts with a complete stranger? How hard would you work on their gift? Would you expect the same level of effort in return?



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)

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