This act of kindness from unknown person, had zero effect on my mood...

[Shadows From Hell]

I left the house for about 2 hours today, and when I got back, there was a little xmas bag by my front door. No name, nothing.... not even my name was written on it.

In it was a little gold bell, with 5 or 6 pieces of chocolate candy, and a $100 gift card.

I was not excited, was not overjoyed, was not happier, was not angry, was not sad, etc... There was no mood change for me. I just looked at it and thought , meh.... Bah humbug...

Sounds like I'm being a real dick, doesn't it?

Fuck xmas.

 

[ms_beaverhousen]

Not even curious as to who the Secret Santa is, or do you suspect?

 

[theater]

I would be exactly the same. I hate how such a worthless box is meant to be"bring joy". I mean, how can someone feel joy from a worthless piece of paper and a few pieces of chocolate??

 

[tbh2023]

So weird!

 

[ms_beaverhousen]

Edit: (Oops, dunno how this became a duplicate.)
Not even curious as to who the Secret Santa is, or do you a suspect?
That's cute and super sweet/generous, but if it were on my doorstep I think the "joy" would be fleeting. Like just enjoy to acknowledge the giving of sentiment. Doesn't mean I'm callous or that you are; I just think we're deprogrammed for such feelings and emotions at this particular point for our own reasons. That's really nice though. Might have to force yourself to go through the motions of what someone did to get that to your doorstep because that "wiring" is no longer automatic like it should be. Hibernation mode requires you to start your own inertia because the modes are stuck. How permanent is another story. But at least you still had the wherewithal to wonder if you were just being a dick or not? True assholes don't question or ruminate over their own morality.
I get it though: I fucking hate Xmas

 

[Aimiya]

Would you have liked it better if it wasn't "Christmas themed"?
I mean, it would be more genuine.
Just a thought, but maybe the reason there's no name, is because the person who left it there knew you're not a big Christmas fan... Idk.

 

[Shadows From Hell]

Not even curious as to who the Secret Santa is, or do you suspect?

No idea. I don't communicate with anyone and stay to myself 99% of the time. I don't have a clue who did it.

Would you have liked it better if it wasn't "Christmas themed"?
I mean, it would be more genuine.
Just a thought, but maybe the reason there's no name, is because the person who left it there knew you're not a big Christmas fan... Idk.

I'm not a holiday person, whether it be xmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. I don't even celebrate the 4th of July. My bday is just a nother day of living for me.

Edit: (oops, dunno how that duplicated)
Not even curious as to who the Secret Santa is, or do you a suspect?
That's cute and super sweet/generous, but if it were on my doorstep I think the "joy" would be fleeting. Like just enjoy to acknowledge the giving of sentiment. Doesn't mean I'm callous or that you are; I just think we're deprogrammed for such feelings and emotions at this particular point for our own reasons. That's really nice though. Might have to force yourself to go through the motions of what someone did to get that to your doorstep because that "wiring" is no longer automatic like it should be. Hibernation mode requires you to start your own inertia because the modes are stuck. How permanent is another story. But at least you still had the wherewithal to wonder if you were just being a dick or not? True assholes don't question or ruminate over their own morality.
I get it though: I fucking hate Xmas

Everyone that knows me knows I'm not a xmas person. So I sure leaving their name off the bag was deliberate. Everyone also knows not to wish me a happy holidays, cause I won't acknowledge it.

 

[VigilanteWithViolin]

Sometimes it happens that the kindness of others towards you, some pleasant things, etc. do not bring joy, and indeed no feelings at all, because the brain is basically so tired that it cannot experience any feelings, I suppose... Well, we're all different, and some might think it's cute, and some might think it's useless nonsense. Anyway, at least you can use that 100 bucks, which is not so useless anymore. Or is it because you don't like Christmas? Anyway, I'm not judging.

 

[Shadows From Hell]

Sometimes it happens that the kindness of others towards you, some pleasant things, etc. do not bring joy, and indeed no feelings at all, because the brain is basically so tired that it cannot experience any feelings, I suppose... Well, we're all different, and some might think it's cute, and some might think it's useless nonsense. Anyway, at least you can use that 100 bucks, which is not so useless anymore. Or is it because you don't like Christmas? Anyway, I'm not judging.

I'm sure I'll find use for the 100 bucks. It'll probably sit on my dresser for weeks or months before I use it, if I ever do.

I hate xmas more than I do life.

 

[Rust]

I mean, the sentiment is nice and all, but it's not quite the same as someone spending their personal time to understand you and help you with issues that you may be facing.

Giving away monetary items is always an easy way to make it seem like you care, since it requires no effort (apart from the monetary expense).

I don't think you're being a dick about it. Rather, It sounds like you had a genuine response to how fake the holidays are. Also, given that there was no name, I wonder if this wasn't done for multiple people? If so, that also may make it seem more impersonal.

 

[VigilanteWithViolin]

I hate xmas more than I do life.

in this case, it is very unpleasant. like, I hate my birthday very much and when I am congratulated on it, especially by people who know about my hatred, it is incredibly unpleasant, angry and upsetting. I'm sorry that someone did this... It sucks to be reminded of things you hate.

 

[ShatteredSerenity]

I'd have the same reaction if that happened to me. I don't even like chocolate, and what the fuck would I need a tacky bell for? I'd give the $100 card to someone and chuck the rest in the garbage. I was always happy to do Chistmas things for kids, I'm not a total grinch, but it doesn't do anything for me as an adult.

 

[ms_beaverhousen]

Everyone that knows me knows I'm not a xmas person. So I sure leaving their name off the bag was deliberate. Everyone also knows not to wish me a happy holidays, cause I won't acknowledge it.

Personally I'm a wee bit miffed that people are shitting on this gesture...
Like I said, I hate Xmas too (and I also keep to myself), but you don't have to give in or sell out to Xmas to be able to accept the thought to which it was intended. Remember they purposely didn't leave their name, so you obviously can't thank them and are now not obligated to, which was also intentional. Call me crazy but, I think that's nice. Call me old-fashioned or whatever the fuck but gratitude is gratitude. You don't have to celebrate (them), alter your beliefs, illicit a "warmth from within" or whatever because of the gesture, but dissing it is rude.

Someone gave enough of a shit about you at this time of year, knowing you're a Grinch (Again, speaking as a fellow Grinch.), and wanted you to know that you were thought of and wanted you to have a piece of Xmas for yourself, in whatever form of your choice. They could've just given you a generic thoughtless little giftset or any other one-for-all gifts; however they chose a visa gift card (Again, a purchase at the store implies intent unless they just buy them in bulk.) so you could buy yourself a solo dinner or a bottle of Tequila. It wasn't even a mini gift like a $25 Starbucks giftcard. It was 4x that amount and they don't even talk to you? You left an impression somehow.

But if it makes you feel any better, this person may not find it all that steep to dole out $100 to neighbors. Either way, it's the spirit of the notion and the monetary amount is enough to signify that in my book. Just accept the token of humanity for what it's worth and move on however you choose. It may not have an effect on you now, but later this discreet generous moment may actually have a pleasant or inspired effect on you, who knows.

P.S. At least they kept it Xmas themed and didn't give you a CHRISTmas gift bag... or a card to go with it!
Also the bell was probably so it'd jingle when you picked it up, making you curious at least. (Also people generally find jingling bells to be a pleasant sound. Plus, it is fucking Xmas.) Ha, I'd say you're not a dick, but some of these readers' responses are questionable at best... Again, coming from a major pessimist, cynic/skeptic, and hater of Xmas.