Missing Reddit Gifts? You don't have to wait for it to come back.
I've been seeing the recent posts about bringing Reddit Gifts back, and I completely understand why people miss it. For many of us, it was about more than receiving a package. It was about discovering someone's interests, putting time and thought into a gift for a complete stranger, and getting that little reminder that people out there care enough to make someone else's day.
But here's the thing: we don't have to wait for Reddit to bring it back. We can support an alternative that's already doing what we miss.
Givin Gifts has been running since 2021, created to keep the spirit of Reddit Gifts alive after its closure. It's an independent platform, not an official Reddit revival, but the core idea remains the same: sign up for an exchange, get matched with someone, learn about their interests, send a thoughtful gift, and make someone's day.
Here's what you can find there:
- Official exchanges throughout the year. From seasonal events and holidays to anime, books, movies, hobbies, snacks, collectibles, and plenty of other themes, there's more to gift-giving than just Christmas.
- User-created exchanges. Want an exchange dedicated to a particular fandom, hobby, or random idea? Users can create their own exchanges, bringing people together around shared interests and ideas. This helps keep the community creative rather than relying on a single annual event.
- A dedicated matching system. Givin Gifts offers matching options designed to help participants find suitable matches, including experience-based matching preferences.
- Premium membership. Optional premium features are available for people who want to get more involved, including the ability to create their own exchanges. You can also participate in eligible exchanges without paying for premium.
- A community beyond the website. You can meet other gifters, discuss exchanges, ask questions, and get help through r/givingifts and the Givin Gifts Discord server.
Is it exactly the same as Reddit Gifts? No. The community is smaller, and the experience won't be identical. But that's precisely why getting more people involved matters.
If we want a thriving gift exchange community, we have to help build one.
Signing petitions and talking about how much we miss Reddit Gifts is understandable, but neither of those things sends a gift to someone who could use a little happiness. Every new participant helps grow the community, brings new interests and ideas to exchanges, and gives someone else the opportunity to experience the joy of thoughtful gift-giving.
Reddit Gifts became special because people participated and made it special. That same spirit can exist somewhere else, too, if we're willing to give it a chance.
So, rather than waiting indefinitely for Reddit to change its mind, why not support the people who have spent years keeping this tradition alive?
Give Givin Gifts a try:
- Website: https://givin.gifts
- Current official exchanges: https://givin.gifts/exchanges#official
- Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/givingifts/
- Discord: https://discord.gg/AM3ZtuGPv
Reddit Gifts was a wonderful tradition. We can keep that tradition alive by participating, supporting the community, and helping it grow, instead of just wishing the old platform would return.