Gifts for Strangers 2011

[@WuBr94]

This is such a nice gesture. We recently had a speaker come in to my school to talk about bullying and related matter. We always talked about the value of a smile, a pat on the back, a hug, etc. Small gestures with huge results. Not to sound morbid, especially before the holidays, but a man jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge when nobody smiled at him on his walk there (he walked quite a distance from his apartment). I know you guys realize this already, and it warms my heart. Happy holidays!

[@ImprovInToronto]

Everyone brought their owns presents, so people used their own money. And because people all chose their own gifts, they varied from mixed CD's to favourite books to pieces of art.

[@megafuncoco]

I was there with my children and the feelings that they got from giving to others was priceless. We will definitley be there again next year! xo

[@bluecheckeredhat]

My friends and I were in the Annex playing board games at Snakes and Lattes and two people came in and gave us gifts. It totally made our day, and we'll all be participating next year. What a wonderful idea.

[@badrabbit0077]

It's groups like yours that make the world better and revives my faith in humanity. It's the little things like springing into song or dance in the middle of nowhere just to brighten up the day of a group of strangers who happen to be around to see it, and for those of us who watch. Thank you, this definitely brightened up my day. Happy Holidays.

[@denidzo]

It was amazing to take part in this again this year! Drove two hours, froze, but it was so worth it. Congrats again to Improv in Toronto for helping people smile :)

[@hustlamaan]

this is beautifull..makeing strangers smile and happy.

[@PureLoser101]

Oh my god this is so amazing and beautiful and I liked how everyone played their part. Such amazing things shall never be forgotten :)

[@richardvvideos]

My friend and I gave small things like candles, chocolate, earmuffs and thin winter gloves. We had also ended up with a gift certificate to a restaurant downtown; so we wrapped it up and gave it to a young family who was seated for dinner there. It's fun to get creative with each gift's handwritten note that's from one stranger to another!

[@o0Theresa0o]

This actually made me cry. So beautiful! I want to participate!!

[@animestop95]

I wish i was so rich i could do stuff like this every year i mean if i could i would buy enough gifts for over 1000 people just so i could see them smile when the unexpected good gesture comes before them...idk if alot of you people have ever given stuff to people randomly with good intentions just to see their smiling faces but i assure you it's amazing

[@Grishaatwar]

This should be done everywhere. Epic people should unite around the globe !

[@TallEvilOne]

This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen

[@movingforward2015]

Good Job :) Very proud of all of you - giving back to a community can make all the difference

[@DrRealz]

Just by reading the intro, I knew I would love that video and that's why I pressed the like button. Keep your great job guys. One love from Montreal.

[@MrRawritsAlex]

It was heartwarming to see a video like this :). I'm positive you guys made some people happy in the video.

[@Lootie141]

this is magical i would love this to be a tradition and everyone gives to eachother!!

[@ajcarter16]

i love this so much! its so cool what you guys do! love from the states!

[@HdramaTran]

Love you guys!

[@Shaylob]

This puts a smile on my face.

[@Killzslayz]

all of you are amazing

[@ImprovInToronto]

@Gourgandise I agree up to a point. There are plenty of great and important initiatives giving to the homeless and needy in communities. But Gifts for Strangers is about spreading kindness to EVERYONE. Because it isn't always obvious who could use a little kindness and love in their life.

[@alildumb]

you guys give me hope for the world

[@EpicRandomify]

I just thinking about this video today and wondering when it would be up :) I love seeing this video knowing that there are still people who care about others :)

[@d2b4eva]

*cries SO beautiful!!

[@f3wbs]

Thx guys. THIS is the true meaning of being a Canadian

[@ImprovInToronto]

@kidpower2 It happened in Mississauga this year! And the organizers are planning on doing it again next year!

[@xOliviaXDx]

This is so great, you guys are amazing. Keep it up!!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@theking3002 Big question, totally understand where you're coming from. The reason we give to everyone is because it isn't always obvious who is in need of a hug or smile in their life, or in this case a gift from a stranger. With that said we encourage participants to target whoever they like. And many people do give gifts specifically to the needy or homeless.

[@Chimpan-Z007]

thats soooooo thankfull i got a asome present thank u improve toronto!!!

[@datkiddswaqq]

best thing i seen, i'm so going to do this in California this year!

[@Spiritgirl13]

Heartwarming, absolutely amazing!

[@boxeman95]

You must feel so good running around the city giving gifts to random people. Wow.

[@BIGA1231987]

beautiful...

[@sumbuyde1]

oh why i'm crying to this

[@ImprovInToronto]

@GreatYamatanoOrochi Gifts for Strangers was run in 23 cities last year! So definitely! If no one is running it, I'd encourage you to take up the torch! :)

[@keeshaja]

i love this!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@Lootie141 It is! We'll be running it again next year, and we're hoping for even more cities to join us! Thanks for the kind words, and happy holidays!

[@GreatYamatanoOrochi]

wow, i havent watched 3 videos overall, yet i subscribed, this is so awesome :D i hope something like this can be done in my town too x)

[@SangTenuk]

i love all your idea's!!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@wonju911 I guess I should actually answer the question, haha. TECHNICALLY, we're called Improv in Toronto. But we like them both!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@Kaldosh We agree, it isn't about gifts. In my opinion its about sharing kindness, which is what we're trying to do.

[@chrisjvleung]

This makes me proud to be from Toronto!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@TheresasTravels Awesome job! Make sure to post it as a video response!

[@armani1326]

I am in currently in Bucharest, Romania for college and I didn't see this happen? :O I would have joined in!

[@therealcaz]

dude! this made my cry!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@Grishaatwar It is! We ran it in 23 cities last year, and hopefully even more this December!

[@MartyStrom]

I love that you guys are doing this..but come on your giving gifts at lease say Merry Christmas. Hahaha

[@wonju911]

Loved the video and what you were doing out there. You made some people really happy. I hope you guys have a Merry Christmas/Hanukkah/Other. (Side note: Do you pronounce it like improvin Toronto, or Improv in Toronto?

[@ImprovInToronto]

@wonju911 That is our grand mystery haha, both apply to what we do! And Happy Holidays to you too! Thanks for taking the time to comment :)

[@Cvollmar2011]

Jesus would be proud of those people. Giving is better than receiving!

[@ginadafox]

@ImprovInToronto awesome, that is such a true statement, there are some people who look totally "normal" yet have serious mental issues such as depression, loss of loved ones. everyone has a story and I love this!!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@o0Theresa0o Next year! Hopefully it will be running in even more cities!

[@Lecca22]

amazing!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@godmode9 It isn't about the gifts, so much as the act of giving. We're spreading joy and kindness. And I'd argue everyone can use more of that in their life.

[@thebruce0]

So... we should not give anything to anyone unless they have less than us? Who's to say none of those people are -also- giving of their time and money to third world nations, and starving kids in Africa? Instead of being quick to judge, realize that giving and caring about -anyone-, any time, anywhere, is only a Good Thing.

[@ImprovInToronto]

One of my favourite parts about this event is the diversity of the people attending. I've met people of every major religion, along with plenty of different ethnicities. As hiphopgangsterz said, I would hope an idea like this transcends classifications like race/colour/gender/etc.

[@AngelusDlion]

Christmas cheer, yer doin it rite. Seriously, I'm a bit misty eyed.

[@ImprovInToronto]

@Chineseboypride There weren't any events in San Diego this past year. But I'd encourage you to take up the torch, and help run on in your city!

[@Juliahockey101]

thats so thoughtful! i'm moving to toronto in a few years, so hopefully I can join this cause! :D

[@greek0rapper0ak0mc]

I cried

[@jesserobles]

Happy Holidays :')

[@SkeetHRV]

Great job guys! Keep it up!

[@318FOXFIRE]

. what kind of gifts did you give out. this is something that i would love to do, but me and my friends were having trouble thinking of what kind of gifts to give out.

[@Misheequa]

Woah 2 Australians came? Jeez dedication. I like it! GO AUSTRALIA!

[@megafuncoco]

@TheCrazedvideos a lot of us did say Merry Christmas... I know I did. it was fun!

[@Bberryz]

haah AWSOME! i have a group of friends who are actualyl doing this this xmas eve!! :)

[@YouGot4Shotted]

Toronto! WOO HOOO!!

[@Gobln15]

the 5 people that dislike this are sad just sad

[@DianeAarts]

thanks so much for the new pencilcase, kind strangers :)

[@akaMyThought]

Very nice

[@TheHadesShade]

What kind of presents did you gave? And where did you get the money to buy all those presents?!

[@faerylimp]

I would love to do stuff like this. It seems fun.

[@akatsukifan01]

what kinds of things do you guys wrap since you give them to both adults and children?

[@RavynCrescent]

How can we go about setting this up in our cities? I would love to do this!

[@omegaxxxxx]

@greek0rapper0ak0mc It brought a tear to my eye, friend. Don't be ashamed of your emotions towards kindness.

[@megafuncoco]

@msmomo11 they were coming out of the opera so she had on a short coctail dress. cold that day...

[@booglegoog]

perhaps, a glimmer of hope for humanity?

[@TheTierraval]

Wait a second... at 0:46 ...that backpack.... LOOK OUT!!! THAT GUY IS A NINJA!!!!

[@Kar3n4u]

D: I wanted to join this event so badly~ Too bad I had a dinner that night D: NEXT YEAR!

[@o0Theresa0o]

@ImprovInToronto Not good enough. I am going out tomorrow and giving out around 75 gifts (that's all we could get with such short notice)!! I will be recording it and posting it up soon!

[@MisaMisuMajide]

:) Haha i wanna move to toronto soo bad :) im going to go to university there maybe the city where i live sucks! It seems sooo nice there!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@P51Gaming Not this past year, but we'd love for you guys to join in on the next one! Check out the website linked in the description!

[@Greatounet]

Nice !

[@Chineseboypride]

do you do these in San Diego by any chance?

[@ImprovInToronto]

Details have been posted on the gifts for strangers website! It's linked in the description!

[@dahosta1]

kid:hey what is this mister :O Giver:shhh its a bomb... :)

[@voldemortrules101]

Oh Wow- Do you take teens? If my mom lets me, I'd love to do this next year.... ESPECIALLY if I get to sing X-Mas songs.... = D

[@iHaloCinematography]

Nice People + Happy Piano Song = Trending Video?

[@Conundric]

Only 6 out of the 23 cities were in the US, while Canada has 10 cities. Canadians so nice.

[@o0Theresa0o]

@toothfareie Why do they NEED to say Merry Christmas? It isn't ONLY Christmas time... Jewish people are celebrating Chanukah, some people celebrate the winter solstice, St. Stephen's Day, Bodhi Day, Ashura, Kwanzaa, etc. Happy Holidays includes ALL of those celebrations, INCLUDING Christmas. Saying Merry Christmas excludes everyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. It's just kinder to say Happy Holidays and it isn't about "offending" anyone... it's about including everyone.

[@dblandgore]

at last some real Christmas spirits

[@bluecheckeredhat]

@akatsukifan01 My friends and I were given two mixed CDs, two used books, and an assortment of chocolates and knick knacks, pencil cases and things. They seemed to know more or less what was in them, so I'm thinking they probably would know which ones are for children so they don't give an adult a colouring book or whatever.

[@Vhix]

FIRST CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT Great job guys, and nice appropriate quote at the start

[@vonUNS]

did u had do to this at xmas time? that ruin tha thing somehow it makes it all religous ;( but anyway nice action!!!

[@ImprovInToronto]

@318FOXFIRE All sorts of things, we leave it open to the individual participant. But we make some suggestions on our website, linked in the description of the video :)

[@GreatYamatanoOrochi]

@ImprovInToronto ofc, i got bunch of classmates that will definitely stand with me ^^

[@Storage1129]

What did you get, Billy? Anthrax!!!

[@badrabbit0077]

@AwesomeMiddleVidz No need to be rude. Not sure why you felt the need to reply to me in this manner.

[@KasuouhArt]

aaw :D you guys are awesome :D