Reddit user receives cow from Bill Gates in Secret Santa

Bill Gates holds the cow and note he sent to a Reddit user. Credit: Reddit / NY1227

A Reddit user has received a cow from Microsoft chairman Bill Gates as part of the site's Secret Santa gift exchange.

The billionaire purchased a $500 (£305) cow from Heifer International - a charity focussed on ending poverty and hunger - which will be donated to a family in need.

Mr Gates bought the gift on behalf of Reddit user NY1227, also known as Rachel, after he had been paired with her.

In a note placed in the package, the Microsoft boss joked that although he had purchased the animal, Rachel would "not have to build a barn."

The donation was also accompanied with a stuffed cow toy and a National Geographic travel book in the package.

Thanking the Microsoft boss for her gifts, Rachel wrote a thank you note on Reddit, which said:

Rachel poses with her National Geographic travel book. Credit: Reddit / NY1227

Rachel also said that she did not initially realise that the gift was from Mr Gates and wrote of her shock when she discovered who the present was from.

However, Reddit user NY1227 did apologise for one item on her Secret Santa wishlist, writing: "Sorry for the Apple iPad on my wishlist, that was really awkward."

What is Reddit's Secret Santa gift exchange?

  • The online gift exchange started in 2009 and, according to the site, "connects internet stranger-friends around the world with one another."

  • In 2012, 44,805 people from 130 different countries took part in Reddit's Secret Santa.

  • The site has a matching day, which tells users who they have to buy for.

  • The buyer can then look at the person's Reddit profile and purchase a gift that matches their interests.

  • Users are then encouraged to post pictures of their presents "so we can all celebrate together."