#MWsecretsanta2025 thank you to my lovely secret Santa for the great gifts. Lots of careful work involved. The headband will keep me warm on my winter morning dog walks!

What I'd just say to you @secretsanta.nz, my coffee has never tasted more bitter. #mwsecretsantaaonz #Muchappreciated

Lets call it 190 strong (a couple less but meh) & say what a great Bluesky start, Trended all day, a constant public stream of happy Giftees, Santas relieved, an absolute minimum of behind the scenes issues - we've had thank yous for our work but I just want to say thanks for being great players!

Follow, Follow, Follow

#MWSecretSantaAoNZ Thank you so much to all involved in putting this together. It's been incredibly moving to witness the love and positivity today, and wow there are some talented folk among us! An absolute boon for the soul, spending time on the SS timeline. You're all wonderful. Xoxoxox🎄🎁❤️

We had 187 players. 4 super santas A nice round 200 tracking numbers entered in the app plus a few more gifts that were delivered without tracking

Sorry for the lateness wonderful Santa! I had to nom the Kitkat immediately because I needed it to cut through th metric tonne of cheese I just ate. The Woolworths vouchers will get me a bottle of champagne and the decadence of 2 weeks in a row shall be delightful. Kindness & generosity thanks xxx

Also, a little-known fact: the calories in chocolate don't count on snow days!

Seriously ugly crying for the kindness of my #MWSecretSantaAoNZ It’s restored my faith in humanity a little bit #nzpol

PSA: This also applies to liquorice.

For those not part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Bluesky, who wish to vicariously share in the positivity, today is Opening Day for mid-winter secret santa, a nationwide volunteer coordinated gift exchange event, organised via Bluesky under the hashtag #MWSecretSantaAoNZ

PSA: It's Mid Winter Secret Santa Day so you may eat chocolate 🍫 at any time of the morning, afternoon or night* Unless you are allergic or don't like it, then you may abstain

Oh no, i have been off bluesky for a while, will have to watch to rejoin! secret santa is an absolutely amazing thing. even wrote about it in newsroom a while back. newsroom.co.nz/2024/01/04/v...

Today is the day! I can now reveal that (a) I cheated and opened my gift early because I'm a terrible person and (b) my punishment has been to sit on my hands and NOT REVEAL that I WON #MWSecretSantaAoNZ. I know it's not TECHNICALLY a competition but my Santa is in First Place (in my heart) 🧵

I tend to end up wrapped up in passing out little messages and checking on gifts, following up this and that, scroll scroll scrolling but I am mindful of my Santa wondering when the heck I will get around to opening The honest answer is later this PM, if things calm down a little it could be 11 ish

A big thank you to all the elves who bought people together through mid winter secret Santa. A lot of work behind the scenes. You folks are legends. And to see people so happy with gifts from a random stranger is soo cool. Thank you 🥰 #MWSecretSantaAoNZ

#MWSecretSantaAoNZ Mid Winter Secret Santa quite proudly the wokest thing you will find on the internet today Just a bunch of virtual strangers spreading aroha and kindness in a literal sense - you will not find anything better, that ain't a challenge it's simply the truth!

They Trended at Midnight opening now the morning team represent! 💘

Go midnight openers! #MWSecretSantaAoNZ

Merry Mid Winter Christmas Everyone! 🎄🎁☃️

The whole concept that across the country people are opening personalized gifts from strangers is awe inspiring. So many lovely people 💕 #MWSecretSantaAoNZ

Ooh, doop doop, doop doo doop Ooh, doop doop, doop doo doop I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where those treetops glisten and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow

I took a photo too.

A song for #MWSecretSantaAoNZ 🤭😆 Things'll go your way If you hold on for one more day Can you hold on for one more day? Things'll go your way Hold on for one more day youtu.be/uIbXvaE39wM

Give them back!

I want my giftee to like their gifts!

“Afterall u never know.’ ‘U never know what?’ ‘Just, never know, u know.’ ‘Sometimes u know,’ said Ridcully ‘I think I know quite a lot that I didn’t used to know. It’s amazing what u do end up knowing, I sometimes think I often wonder what new stuff I’ll know.’ ‘Well, u never know.’ ‘That’s a fact”

Once the clock hits midnight we are a go #MWSecretSantaAoNZ I repeat - Tomorrow is opening day. Drop a gif below for how excited you are for your present and to see your giftee's reaction. (And it's okay to be nervous, I know I am! It means you care 💜)

Cat to other cat; there is a box in here!

“AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR HOGSWATCH, SMALL HUMAN?” ― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

We call it Vicarious Santaing but you may just call it FOMO

There are two types of people: A) Those whomst are waiting up until 12:01am to open their gift as soon as possible and then post the heck outta what they got B) Those who open and post on Saturday the 7th daytime hours Both are within official hours and rules so get amongst it, it's nearly here!

Little bit of parcel strip tease?

“It’s a genuine Burleigh and Stronginthearm double-action triple-cantilever crossbow with a polished walnut stock and engraved silver facings!” ― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

Who else is really fucking excited about Opening Day 7th June? #MWSecreSantaAoNZ

“Igor’s weapon of choice was a little different. It was tipped with silver (for werewolves), hung with garlic (for vampires) and wrapped around with a strip of blanket (for bogeymen). For everyone else the fact that it was two feet of solid bog-oak usually sufficed.” ― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

NEARLY!!!

Two more sleeps to go unless you're a midnight opener. That's well past my bedtime, so I shall be opening in the morning. I know we have some people having to delay opening as well. Let your Santa know below when you might be opening your gift.

“Albert spat over the side of the sleigh. “Hah! ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice If Everyone Was Nice,’ eh?” THERE ARE WORSE BATTLE CRIES.” ― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

We're getting closer to #MWSecretSantaAoNZ How are you opening? Are you going to have a Me Date with treats and a tasty beverage? Is it a family event? Will you be playing Christmas music? How do you Open?

I usually get so caught up watching other people opening that I don't until quite late in the day. This time I am going to try to open early and give my Santa a break!

“I can’t ride that!” said Susan. WHY NOT? YOU HAVE HAD AN EDUCATION. “Enough to know that pigs don’t let people ride them!” MERE ACCUMULATION OF OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE IS NOT PROOF.” ― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

@profbanks.bsky.social Creeping on your Timeline ...

Kia ora Santa! Im travelling and won't do my opening till 9th June!!! Sooooory #MWSecretSantaAoNZ

Please be careful with your gift! We are hearing about Grinch activity in the North, South East and West!!! 4 Sleeps if you are opening on Saturday, 3 sleeps if you are staying up until 12.01am Friday night and opening then [Put Your Hands Up In The Air, Opening Time Is Nearly Here]

One of the most adorable and heartwarming things about Aotearoa socials is #MWSecretSantaAoNZ. Ngā mihi to all the elves that make it happen. Yay for spreading joy! 3 days 17 hours ish to go if you are going to stay up and watch the clock tick over!

“Did you check the list?” YES. TWICE. ARE YOU SURE THAT’S ENOUGH?” ― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather