Have you ever wished there was someone like the tooth fairy for adults? Not a little magical creature who exchanges baby teeth for a quarter, but someone who mysteriously leaves something a little special for grownups from time to time? That’s exactly what some people are doing by becoming “wine fairies” who leave a bottle of wine and other fun treats on strangers’ doorsteps.
How do you become a wine fairy or the recipient of her gifts? Just join one of the many local groups that are helping people raise their glasses to a bit of joy during the pandemic.
One of the largest groups of wine fairies in the U.S. is the Sisterhood of the Traveling Wine Carolinas. Founder Cara Rindell is the founder of the Facebook group, which now has more than 53,000 members and continues to grow. She started the group as a way to connect with friends and neighbors during the start of the coronavirus shelter-in-place order.
“Honestly, it’s been amazing. It has improved my own mental health tremendously and I selfishly created it to see happiness, and to divert my attention from everything,” Rindell told WBTV3.
The concept is simple. Anyone who is 21 or over can hop onto Facebook and sign up to be part of the group. Then, if you’ve ever done a Secret Santa or similar gift exchange, you know the drill: Leave your name, address and drink of choice. It doesn’t have to be wine, even if the name implies that. You’ll also get assigned a person to surprise, and that’s it.
Other groups have popped up around North America, from Colorado to Canada to New Jersey.
Tracy Murley started a group in Canton, Michigan, that has grown from 30 to 3,000. “I always believed in giving, and seeing my community do this, it’s breathtaking,” she told “Good Morning America.”
Twitter user Avery Johnson of Edmonton, Alberta, showed off the goodies left by her wine fairy, which included a nice bottle of wine, some flowers and even some candy!
My community (Allard & area) has a Facebook group called the Wine Fairies where the women are leaving random gifts on the door steps of our neighbours. I got this tonight. Can’t wait to leave my gift for a stranger! #yeg pic.twitter.com/jfgBiGScAS
— Avery Johnson (@johnsonave) May 6, 2020
In the Carolinas, Rindell wants to expand the Sisterhood to beyond women and wine. She hopes to find ways to include everyone in the gift-giving and community-connecting phenomenon.
“It is called the Sisterhood of the Traveling Wine, but the group is co-ed and it isn’t just about wine,” she said. “We want to eventually include children all the way up to grandparents.”
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
