#  A Holiday Miracle: I Am Apparently “Valued” by Everyone I’ve Ever Clicked On

     Details    Jim Hampton   ![logo](https://www.citywatchla.com//templates/ja_teline_v/images/logo.png)         December 25 2025      [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Dec-2025/103d.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/stories/Dec-2025/103d.jpg?width=848&height=510)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/32009-a-holiday-miracle-i-am-apparently-valued-by-everyone-ive-ever-clicked-on)

  [VOICES](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices)   - [  Previous Article **Mayor Bass, Lamenting High Latino Border Patrol Recruits Might Be Racist** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32016:mayor-bass-lamenting-high-latino-border-patrol-recruits-might-be-racist&catid=375)
- [  Next Article **Trumpty Dumpty Sat On a Wall** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32005:trumpty-dumpty-sat-on-a-wall&catid=375)

  ###### Typography

- [](# "Smaller Font")  ****Smaller** **Small** **Medium** **Big** **Bigger****  [](# "Bigger Font")
- [](# "Previous Font Style")  ****Default** **Helvetica** **Segoe** **Georgia** **Times****  [](# "Next Font Style")

- [ Reading Mode](# "Reading Mode")

> <a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
>
>  [Comments](#disqus_thread)

 HOLIDAY GREETINGS - This holiday season, something extraordinary happened: businesses from every corner of my life—past, present, and possibly imaginary—rose up in perfect digital harmony to wish me Happy Holidays.

Not friends. Not family. Businesses.

My inbox became a festive parade of subject lines insisting that this year was “*special,” “magical,*” and—most importantly—*“not like other years.”* According to at least 143 companies, this was the exact moment they felt compelled to reach out and express how deeply they care about me.

Some of these businesses I recognize. Others appear to have been formed sometime between my last dentist visit and the signing of the Magna Carta.

One email opened with, “*As a valued customer…”*

Valued!

I haven’t purchased anything from them since the Bush administration—but clearly, they’ve been thinking about me nonstop.

Another wrote, *“We’ve been on a journey together.”*
This surprised me, because I don’t recall hiking, bonding, or even making eye contact with them. But who am I to deny shared history?

Several companies thanked me for my “continued loyalty,” which is impressive considering I unsubscribed from them three times already. One even said, *“We couldn’t do this without you.”*
You sell printer ink. I bought one cartridge in 2016. Let’s all take a breath.

The holiday warmth really peaked with phrases like:

·  *“From our family to yours” (We have never met.)*

*· “Wishing you peace, joy, and exclusive savings” (Ah yes, the Three Wise Men.)*

*· “A gift just for you!” (Spoiler: it was 10% off, expiring in six hours.)*

Some emails were deeply reflective, assuring me they were *“pausing to give thanks.”*
They paused just long enough to attach a 14-image product carousel and a reminder that shipping cutoffs are tonight.

I also appreciated the emotional vulnerability. One brand admitted, *“This year has been challenging.”*
Yes. For all of us. Especially for the sock subscription service that emails me daily.

By December 24, I had been wished Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joyous Everything, Sparkly Season’s Greetings, and—my personal favorite—*“Warm Winter Vibes.”* A bold choice.

Still, I must say: I am grateful. Grateful to know that if I ever feel unloved, unseen, or forgotten, I can open my inbox and be reminded that a cloud-based workflow platform believes in me.

So thank you, dear businesses. Thank you for the cheer, the emojis, the heartfelt fonts, and the gentle reminder that somewhere out there, an algorithm cares.

And if you truly want to make my holidays bright next year?

One email.
No subject line.
Just the words: *“No action required.”*

***(Jim Hampton** is the Publisher and Editor of CityWatchLA.com. With over 40 years of experience in radio broadcasting, marketing, and content creation, Jim helped launch CityWatch online with founding editor Ken Draper more than two decades ago. He continues to guide the platform’s mission to provide independent news and opinion on Los Angeles government, policy, and civic life.)*

  - [  Previous Article **Mayor Bass, Lamenting High Latino Border Patrol Recruits Might Be Racist** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32016:mayor-bass-lamenting-high-latino-border-patrol-recruits-might-be-racist&catid=375)
- [  Next Article **Trumpty Dumpty Sat On a Wall** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32005:trumpty-dumpty-sat-on-a-wall&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>