A British family has been left feeling deeply unsettled and is now "watching their backs" after receiving a bizarre and anonymous Christmas gift from a neighbour, an event that has cast a shadow over their festive season and made them question the safety of their own community.
A Disturbing Discovery on Christmas Morning
The strange episode began in the early hours of Christmas Day, when the homeowner's mother discovered an envelope that had been pushed through their door. The front of the envelope bore the message "Merry Christmas Neighbour", but it was immediately clear this was no ordinary card. The greeting had been painstakingly assembled using individual letters cut out from a magazine, a detail the family found "extremely creepy".
Inside, the contents were unexpectedly generous yet profoundly troubling. The family found a gift card worth $100 (approximately £74) redeemable at several local grocery stores, alongside an Amazon gift voucher valued at $75 (around £55). Instead of sparking joy, the anonymous delivery worth a total of £129 triggered alarm and suspicion.
The Creepy Details That Caused Maximum Alarm
Several factors combined to transform a seemingly generous act into a source of genuine fear. The method of delivery was particularly chilling. The family had been awake until late on Christmas Eve, with the homeowner not going to sleep until around 12.30am. The receipt enclosed with the gift cards showed they were purchased at 6.57pm that evening, meaning the drop-off occurred in the dead of night, a time the homeowner described as "creepy".
Adding to the unease were unusual images on the back of the envelope depicting pigeons eating popcorn, leaving the recipients to wonder about a potential hidden meaning. In a post on Reddit seeking advice, the homeowner explained their mother was "really freaked out" and that the situation was "incredibly bizarre".
Community Advice and Heightened Security
With no clear idea who sent the gift, despite narrowing it down to three possible neighbours, the family turned to the online community. The response from fellow Reddit users was swift and serious, urging immediate action to ensure their safety.
The key pieces of advice from users, including former law enforcement, were:
- Installing a video doorbell or security camera to monitor their property.
- Documenting the incident with the police to establish a formal record, which could be crucial if further incidents occur.
- Ensuring all doors and windows are securely locked, with one user noting that increased police patrols can deter individuals with bad intentions.
One particularly stark warning read: "Get a camera. Nobody puts this much effort in and only does it once. There will probably be another letter." This sentiment underscores the prevailing fear that the gift may not be an isolated act, but rather the start of something more sinister.
The event has fundamentally altered the family's sense of security within their own home and neighbourhood. What should have been a time of festive goodwill has instead become a period of vigilance and anxiety, proving that sometimes, the most unsettling presents come without a name.
