Secret Santa
December 27th, 2008
I, Linda Donavon, have a secret Santa.
No one in the office is playing secret Santa, but everyday a new gift appears on my desk (is there a security breach?). The only note left behind is ‘Ho Ho Ho.’ I’m not writing because I think it’s you (though, YOU are out there!)…I’m writing because I find this whole event quite amusing, fun, and on some level… frightening (a knowing wink, should I be worried walking to my car…lol). I wanted to share the joy of how delightfully disturbing i find it, knowing that some one (clearly from the 4th floor) is monitoring my movements; in hopes of bringing me a little more Holiday spirit. I must confess, on some level it has worked! In the beginning I laughed hysterically, shouting out for the owner of the treasures to come out from behind the cubical walls, to date the ‘Gift-er’ is still successfully making deliveries. < Je ne comprends pas!!!> I don’t understand!!?!!? How do you know when to drop of the parcel!!?!!!??? Who are you!!??!! Why, and more importantly: Why ME??!!!??? To be singled out with such a wonderful gesture.
As you might imagine, the thrill and shock begins to fade, but a new and different emotion begins to take over; how do I react now, 10 days into the blessed event, when each day’s parcel is dropped off and my mound of gifts accumulate?? Perhaps I’m developing Helsinki syndrome, as I have come to look forward to the time when a new little surprise will be there waiting for me. My feeling of disappointment one afternoon when I thought my Santa had failed me…devastating. But Santa did not fail me…he had only placed the gift out of its normal location…Overjoyed, I think I did a little happy dance, like a kid on Christmas morning.
My Santa has a theme, dare I say (pause) pattern: My nickname is Penguin (oh, that’s a long storyJ), but my Santa must know this. All the gifts minus 2 have had a penguin premise. What were the two that deviated from the norm?? I’m glad you asked: a Starbucks gift card and a fine selection of teas. As far as the penguins go: Penguin placemats, mug, large cold beverage drinking cup (my favorite of all), a stuffed penguin (which by the way is very cute), a place setting with penguins holding up Christmas lights, a hand towel, a socks, and 2 penguin containers with homemade goodies, Rice Krispy treats and Hay Stacks.
Hopefully you will show yourself, and I will be able to formally thank you for brightening my work day. Thank you for all the penguin goods AND the non-penguin goods!