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The Most Expensive Secret Santa Gift: A Story of Kindness and Gratitude
The Most Expensive Secret Santa Gift: A Story of Kindness and Gratitude
Introduction: Secret Santas can bring a touch of magic and surprise to the workplace, especially during the holiday season. In this article, we share the story of one extraordinary Secret Santa encounter that left a lasting impression on a college and university manager.Secret Santa is a popular tradition where employees exchange gifts anonymously, often resulting in simple heartfelt gestures. But in the case of one college and university's RA staff, their Secret Santa gifts went beyond expectations. Their thoughtful, persistent, and kind actions told a story of gratitude and appreciation that even a $50 percolator and a robe couldn't match.
Background and Setting
My last year working in colleges and universities saw a team of more than a dozen staff members, including RA’s (Resident Assistants) who had a heavier-than-normal workload due to final exams and additional responsibilities. Despite these challenges, they decided to organize a secret Santa event.
Initially, I was taken aback by their enthusiasm, considering their workload during this busy time. However, I supported their initiative. As their boss, I consistently encouraged my staff with daily notes and small tokens like candy canes, showing that I was in the loop despite not participating in the secret Santa event myself.
The Secret Santa Event
The secret Santa event began mid-week with a beautiful gesture: roses on my desk. Unlike a typical office where everyone has keys, my office was the only one that could be accessed freely. The note, simply stating "Santa’s watching," touched me deeply. No one claimed credit for this act of kindness and mystery shopping began.
The following day, a box of chocolates appeared with the note "He knows when you’ve been naughty." The next day, a captivating bowl of fruit greeted me with "And he knows when you’ve been nice." On the day before finals, a coffee mug and flavor coffee accompanied the note "And you’ve been very nice."
The Climax and Surprise
As the building was set to close at 5, and all staff except for the RA's had to leave by 5 PM, the RA's typically stayed beyond their scheduled work hours to complete paperwork. The final morning of finals, a coffee mug with flavored coffee and a note on my desk said, "And you’ve been very nice."
The next day, we were to have a little holiday celebration, a secret Santa reveal, and a dinner at my apartment. However, the dining hall was closed, and the event was planned around this dinner. Thankfully, the RA's had managed to complete all tasks and were ready to go home, which made our planned celebration and reveal a success.
The Ultimate Gift
However, the most moving moment occurred the next morning. After saying goodbye to the staff and collecting their master keys in the lobby, I went to lock up their keys in my office. There, on my desk was a beautiful percolator, which typically retailed around $50, and in my chair was a luxurious robe. The note read, "Since no one will be around to keep you up all night, this may help. Or get some rest. Love your Secret Santas."
The emotional impact of this final gift was profound. No one ever claimed responsibility for being this Secret Santa, but the fact that these kids, either one or several or perhaps everyone, took the time and effort to do all this was simply priceless.
This story encapsulates the power of small acts of kindness and the impact they can have on an individual's day and life. In today's fast-paced and often impersonal workplaces, such gestures remind us of the importance of community, support, and the human touch.
Would you like to share a similar experience or have you received a particularly memorable secret Santa gift? Drop a comment below and let’s continue the conversation about the magic of the secret Santa tradition.