If you regularly read my blog, then you might recall the strange surprise I found on Christmas Eve. It was a small red shopping bag placed on my stoop outside my front door. The bag had a few boxes of different candy, but there was no card. As you can imagine, it made me leery as to why someone would just leave a bag outside on the cement without ringing the doorbell, knocking, signing a card, calling or emailing to acknowledge this. Believe it or not, the anonymous gifter was at it again because there was a little yellow shopping bag in the same spot when I opened my front door last night.
Sending you sunshine to brighten your day was attached to this yellow bag. Usually I like to wait a few days before touching things such as mail and packages with the coronavirus still going strong. However, I was curious to see what was inside and who might have left it. Again, I was sadly mistaken because there were no clues to an identity.
In keeping with the yellow sunshine theme, this anonymous gifter placed yellow-colored lemon balls, a few yellow packages of chewing gum, sunflower seeds, two envelopes of lemon ginger herbal tea, two packets of lemonade, a tiny lemon sticker, and the oddest card.
I know what you are thinking; the card will give me a clue. This card had a plastic four-leaf clover with a ladybug attached with a saying that if it flies toward you it is a sign of good luck. If the ladybug happens to rest on a four-leaf clover in your presence, then you’re in for double the luck.
Of course, you may conclude that this anonymous gifter had good intentions trying to do a small sweet thing to make me smile. After all, we all need good luck, especially with this pandemic growing each day with no vaccine expected until spring, 2021. On the other hand, if this was meant as a thoughtful gesture, then why would this person still refuse to leave a name?
So what’s my point? Most people want to be acknowledged when they do something nice for another person. Yet, this anonymous gifter could have just included that ladybug card because the items might have been tampered with. This card could have had a twisted meaning. I hate to sound suspicious, but anymore you have to wonder how people can get their kicks.
As you might guess, this second yellow shopping bag and its contents went to the trash just like the first one did. I hate to waste anything, but there was no way that I would trust an item in a bag without knowing where it came from.
My feeling is that if you give a gift say who you are! Trust no one.
What do you think might have motivated this anonymous gifter? Does anyone have any idea why someone might do this several times without ever being thanked for the gesture? Has anyone ever had a similar experience? If so, please share.
That is wonderful. What a nice surprise!
Author
You don’t think that was a bit creepy? It was outside on my stoop just in that same yellow bag.
There is a new trend called “Fairy Dusting” that is meant to spread kindness. The motto is to “Sprinkle kindness like it’s fairy dust.” People make themed baskets or gift bags and leave them on doorsteps. If you receive a gift, you are suppose to pay it forward (dust someone else)…although you don’t have to. It may have come from someone you know. There are facebook groups created for this too. See if there is one in your area. You can also google it. I’m in New Jersey and know people doing this. Maybe it was this?
Author
I have never heard of “Fairy Dusting” before. Do those “Fairy Dusters” in your area drop them outside exposed on the pavement without any idea which of them was gifting the other? Animals, weather or anyone could have gotten inside. Thank you for telling me. By the way, I did check with all my neighbors and friends to ask if they sent it. All of them denied it.
I think it’s wonderful! Sure, there is always an outside possibility that something more sinister is happening, but even things in the store may have been tampered with. They probably chose candy items because it’s difficult to know what other people might like, especially if you don’t know them personally. Plus, it would be inexpensive enough to bless many people that way. Even if you throw it all away, I hope you will allow yourself to trust humanity enough to appreciate that somebody wanted to make you smile!
I had an anonymous “gifter” once who sent me flowers twice. They were the kind you buy in a grocery store, and somebody left them at my front door. I asked EVERYBODY–family, friends, neighbors…nobody claimed responsibility no matter how hard I pressed them. I still puzzle about it, but it made me smile then, and it still makes me smile now!
I would throw it away. Always go with your gut instinct and don’t take gifts from strangers. It might be from someone jealous of you who wants to do you harm. It seems odd you are the only one in your neighborhood or circle to receive this gift.
Author
I did throw it away. It just didn’t feel safe to me. I am glad that you felt the same.