At least once in your life, you’ve probably heard the saying that everyone should be kind duringChristmas. While some people don’t stray far from their usual level of kindness during this time of year, others take it to a whole new level.

Like the OP of today’s story. They got into a nasty fight with their selfish family, which led to estrangement and a huge unused budget for Christmas gifts. Yet, instead of simply keeping the money, they decided to make the holidays a tad better for 1642 strangers.

More info:Reddit

RELATED:

It’s agreed upon that during the Christmas season, we should all strive to be kind to everyone, even strangers

Person sitting with gifts by a Christmas tree, contemplating debt clearance for 1642 people using $5k intended for family gifts.

Image credits:azerbaijan_stockers / Freepik (not the actual photo)

In the summer, the author got into a nasty fight with family, which led to falling out

Person in white sweater holding an open empty wallet, symbolizing debt clearance effort using $5k.

Image credits:Karolina Grabowska / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Since they didn’t make up until Christmas, the budget that was meant for their gifts was left unused

Image credits:Conscious-Farmer6953

Instead of keeping it for themselves, the author decided to collect thousands of people’s debts

Let’s start with the fact that the OP’s family isn’t the healthiest one. We base that on the fact that the author themselves said that for a long time, there was a fight slowly brewing. Finally, in the summer, the cauldron burst and they had a falling out.

Granted, the original poster didn’t specify the reason behind all of it. And they can bevarious– from mismatched expectations and clash of values to emotional or even physical abuse. In this case, we think that for us, as strangers, simply knowing that they had a falling out is more than enough as context for this story.

The fight must have been awful enough that sincesummer, they didn’t patch things up until Christmas. So, since their contact had been cut off, the OP decided that there was no need to buy them X-mas presents.

Don’t think they are a Grinch who stole Christmas from kids in their family – all those people are grown-ups, so there was no children’s joy ruined. Maybe some adults’ joy, but knowing that they are in a fight, maybe seeing the original poster during the holidays would have been worse for them. After all, usually, estrangement happens due tonegativityin a relationship, and who wants that in their life during Christmas, right?

Calculator and papers on a desk, symbolizing clearing debt for many people.

Image credits:Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Yet, instead of simply pocketing such a large sum, the original poster decided to do a good deed instead. They bought a batch of debts from strangers to collect them.

Basically, thisprocesshappens when the original creditors lose hope of getting the owed money from the people they gave it to and sell the debt, sometimes even for the smallest amount, so that it can be paid off.

Because the OP did that, 1642 people in upstateNew Yorkwon’t have to hear from debt collection again. So, essentially, the original poster spent money on something that people will appreciate, even if they’re strangers, rather than something their family wouldn’t even care that much for.

Additionally, in a way, this charitable move ended up being an “in your face” moment for the OP’s family. Well, it would be, if they found out where the budget for theirpresentswent. They never give to charity, and are even hostile to those who they perceive as a lower status than them, so it would be a hit to them for sure.

Folks online praised the person for handling the situation the way they did. Instead of being tempted to simply save up this relatively huge sum of money this year, they decided to make someone’sholidaysa bit better, which is a thing only a kind person would do. And what is Christmas without kindness, right?

"$5000 gifts comment praising debt-clearing act for 1642 people.

Reddit comment expressing surprise about clearing the debt of 1642 people.

Positive comment praising debt clearance action, highlighting kindness and making people happy.

“Comment praising person for clearing debt of 1642 people, asking how they did it.

Text discussing donation shift from gifts to various charities.

Reddit comment reading, “What a kind thing to do!” in response to debt-clearing news.

Dollar bills beside festive decorations and a gift box, symbolizing clearing debt during holiday season.

Image credits:kotkoa / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Comment about helping people by buying their debt, expressing joy in giving aid.

Comment praising someone’s action to clear the debt of 1642 people.

Reddit comment saying “Not all heroes wear capes!” about clearing debt.

Comment praising someone for clearing debt of 1642 people, highlighting kindness.

Comment questioning debt clearance method with $5k meant for family gifts.

Text praising someone for using $5k to clear debts, called an amazing gift that changes lives.

Comment on a positive act of debt clearance, highlighting “Christmas spirit.

Thanks! Check out the results:You May LikeTo Pass The Time, Here Are 80 Best Christmas Episodes You Can WatchLarysa Perih81 Traditional Christmas Foods To Feast OnJustina Čiapaitė135 Christmas Trivia Questions To Make The Wait A Bit More FestiveLinas Simonaitis

Larysa Perih

Justina Čiapaitė

Linas Simonaitis

Occasions