LINCOLN, Neb., Dec. 20 (UPI) — Bill Gates surprised a Nebraska woman with a “huge box” of video game-themed gifts as part of Reddit’s Secret Santa gift exchange.
A Reddit user with the username Aerrix shared a lengthy post detailing the carefully curated package of gifts Gates sent her as part of the online forum’s annual gift exchange.
“This was a GIANT box, and overnighted…I was just…flabbergasted!” Aerrix wrote “I get the box inside and the pets had to inspect immediately.”
She opened the box to uncover a signed photo of Gates along with a note lamenting the fact her last Secret Santa stood her up and informing her he made a donation to Code.org in her name in addition to the rest of the gifts in the box.
“I can’t believe your Secret Santa left you hanging last year. To ensure you don’t lose faith in the Reddit Community I’ve enclosed several gifts that I hope you enjoy,” he wrote. “There are a few video games for you to play, some things to keep you warm, and three of my favorite movies to watch over the holidays.”
The package contained a Microsoft Xbox One complete with several games and extra controllers, mittens for Aerrix and her dog, Harry Potter slippers and a series of gifts from the Legend of Zelda video game series including a paper sword and a perler bead picture frame with a photo of her and her husband that Gates photoshopped himself into.
Gates also included a Cajun cookbook in reference to a post in which Aerrix mentioned she was disappointed about missing out on eating her uncle’s cooking this holiday season.
“As I was setting the book to the side, I notice a sticky note in it, so I investigate. There was another hand written note from him that read ‘Aerrix, Since you’re originally from Louisiana and miss your Uncle’s Cajun cooking, I thought you might enjoy trying some of the recipes from this cookbook.’ I’m just speechless!” Aerrix wrote.
Aerrix called her husband and her mother in frantic excitement as she shared photos of the gifts before posting on Reddit to thank Gates for his generosity.
“I’m just blown away by his generosity, which went even further than all these gifts because he submitted a donation to code.org in my name to give more students the chance to learn computer science,” she wrote. “Which is AWESOME because it’s something near and dear to my heart as my husband is a programmer and my brother has a degree in computer science!”
A representative for Gates confirmed to IGN that he did send the package and has participated in Reddit’s gift exchange for the past several years.
