Giving My Mentor a 3,000 Year Old Tradition for Christmas

Your face be dammed lol, see you in the spring Xyla......bring a helmet haha

You got to admire Colin there. He's not *that* concerned for his own safety, but when it comes to someone else? He won't send something dangerous.

Colin's gift being literally too dangerous to send is so on brand 😂

"And that, children, is when personal protective equipment became part of our Christmas tradition."

I am humbled and honored ❤❤❤❤ thank you!!!

How was Colins gift MORE terrifying than the fire explosion contraptions that were on screen and in our imaginations??

That practice of every owner in the lineage putting their stamp on it is really cool. You should've made your own stamp and put that on Direstas gift!

Your mothers' response "Well we sent you to Chinese school" absolutely corpsed me. Your mother is awesome!

Xyla: is an accomplished creator, pilot and inspiration to thousands of people worldwide
Xyla's mom: INSTANTLY ROASTS HER

My ears keep hearing you say Boatal Tote, which makes me smile.

I really like the fact you did not fill the routed letters to the top. Everyone one does. It adds dimension to the your art.

You could collaborate with Colin to build the ultimate rocket (or jet engine) powered canoe......

Taking the "It's the though that counts" saying to all new level here, especially from Colin.

You guys really need to get Adam Savage and Tested in on this. I think that'd be so much fun!

Love the stamp! We got to see your Mum! Cannot wait to see you try the Oar in May
Ruth & Shawn

As soon as she said that the box scared her, I immediately guessed it was from Colin, and I was right.😂

Your mom cracked me up. I really like the fact that you shared your culture AND that retain and use the language.

Colin should have built you a tunnel from your shop to your house. Maybe next year.

I came here straight from Colin's channel. I hope his real present to you turns out to be a million views, likes and subs.

Such a thoughtful gift. I liked too how Colin chose to put your safety first even after all the effort he'd put into the build. There's something really thoughtful in that too.

4:58 seeing Xyla speaking Chinese is amazing, it honestly just makes here so much cooler.

your mom is lovely and your present was very heart felt

Mom Foxlin is a doll, lots of love, and a happy peaceful holiday.

Your mom is so kind and supportive.

YOU WIN! This is the most thoughtful gift of all who participated. Outstanding. You captured the essence of the challenge. This is perfect for Jimmy. He was obviously touched by this. Great job!

I never knew this about stamping artwork. This is actually really amazing. Love the history part of it!

Came for cool building videos, stayed for botal toat.

One of the most thoughtful and creative gifts I've ever seen!

As a Chinese dad who sent his kids to Chinese school, I fully endorse your mom's reaction. 👍

You really hit the nail on the head with your gift! (sorry, pun not intended). I watched his video and it was clear he was blown away by the thoughtfulness and coolness of your gift.
Edit: have to add, I did a little research on the surname DiResta. Obviously Italian, but I found that it comes from a Milanese noble family (marchese, or marquis rank), who first settled in Milan in the 14th century. Originally the name was “Di Restais”, and the “di” part is just the Italian patronymic, equivalent to the “son” in “Johnson” or the “Bin” in “Bin Ladin”. “Restais” is probably French and means “to stay behind, remain, hold”, probably as in a stalwart defense of a land which earned them their nobility in the first place. And the main symbol of their heraldic crest is a 🦞. (well, technically a 🦐, è uno gambero rosso, a red prawn). So the red color was fitting for that I guess! Anyway I think what you did with the transcription was cooler and more of a nice interpersonal gift idea, but I was just curious about what the name actually meant/came from, and I thought I’d share.

Literal Death Machine, I'm not surprised colin went "hmm maybe I should not send that" Not trying to kill Xyla 😂🤣

I've seen most of the secret santa videos and found your gift as the most thoughtful and personal. I have to admit Colin's gift was the most quirky.
Happy New Year!

Disappointed that Collin didn’t send the death trap ….. amazing build Xyla

I've taken six years of Chinese classes, so one year my parents got me a chop seal for Christmas. The trouble is, they didn't want to spoil it, so they didn't use the Chinese name my first teacher gave me (which doesn't seem to mean much anyway). So I was very excited to receive this piece of culture, but the name translates to "Thunder Banana" (based on a Chinese dictionary). On the plus side, the seal came with a free nickname...

I bet you’d kill it at the game “Operation”😂💪🏼🔥👍🏻

7:48 Boatle Tote.... Lol couldn't find that resin anywhere! I'm mildly dyslexic and thought that was cute... Great heritage project!

Simple, beautiful, and highly personal. What a great gift!

I love your idea. I am Japanese and we put our hanko, the Japanese version of the chop on everything :)

"I would love to take your power paddle out for a ride"
Phrasing

Her mother is a very lovely lady

I always look forward to this series each year. Honestly, this is probably one of my favorite videos of all time in the series. The history and culture lesson were absolutely awesome, thank you so much for sharing!!

You definitely put your stamp of creativity on this one! And you should definitely make your own stamp!

Engagement for the engagement god! Subs for the sub throne!
Also, as someone of Chinese descent, but who was not raised in the culture at all, thank you for showcasing it.

This was cool, everything from the idea, to asking Momma Foxlin to help, to the Diresta-sized chop. Fascinating bit of culture, art, and shop work!

Boatal toat resin, a highlight 😂😂

One of the first times in history that a secret Santa gift wasn't stupid but was actually beautiful and thoughtful.

That's crazy that the vacuum trips the breaker when the CNC doesn't. 🤔
Also, I completely agree with the 'clearing of the CNC name'. While a lot of my friends look at something done on a laser or CNC as easy, because 'the machine does everything', so they don't value it as creative or worth paying for, they don't understand how much trial and error goes into it. Not to mention the designing in the software and the learning curve needed to be climbed. And that's even with bought or downloaded 'ready to go' files. Still have to get settings right for the machine

omg I'm crying "we sent you to Chinese school" 😂😂😂

It's amazing when the gift is lovely on its own, and then the story behind it makes it ten times better.
Side note- why does Colin saying he might come for a visit sounds like a threat?:D

Not knowing much about Chinese culture I had no idea what this would look like when it was finished and now I want my own. The small one, not the giant one and in Xyla style.

This like "Stamp" tradition is really freaking cool! I'm german and I never heard about it but I really love everything about it.

I like the idea that Jimmy is just all the makers' dad

open thunder tower pagoda sounds like an epic name. You should totally make a second one with that on it

It’s funny how Botal Toat spells it wrong on their containers.
Great gift Xyla.

Had to go back to 7:47 a few times to check - "Botal Toat Resin"
Thanks for making me smile on a lousy Monday Xyla 😃

I see what Colin meant when he said the present he sent could be seen as a bit kinky! lol.

Your gift is perfect and thoughtful. Too often in these secret Santa's it's a crap gift that will get tossed aside but not yours. Well done!

I liked the story about a piece of art accumulating many seals over the years of people owning the piece, very cool.

My wife is Taiwanese. That "But we sent you to Chinese school."...asian guilt trip was felt in my soul.

I've never been jealous of a sponsorship before... I am now.

Xyla, always nice to see you again!

That was such an amazing piece of art and tradition all rolled into one gift!

wow, 2 videos in 3 days? i guess it is the christmas season indeed

that’s a very thoughtful gift, and your mother is quite smart.

this is so beautiful! what a thoughtful gift. wow!

Her eyes are absolutely amazing

Well, I am glad that Colin's gift didn't kill you or burn down your workshop 😂
That stamp and cultural lesson was quite fascinating and neat!

going out for paddling in full motorcycle gear.

7:45 gotta love that botal toad resin. ❤️

Absolutely beautiful and so very thoughtful! Thank you for sharing!

Being an immigrant's son (parents came from Portugal to South Africa) I could absolutely relate to 'why you not pay attention to Chinese/Portuguese school' and hanging had a cool mother!

Making something for Jimmy is as hard as making something for Santa himself 😁

Great video Xyla, Thank you for sharing. Hope you and your loved ones have a great/safe Holiday Season ! Cheers, Tony

This is the first time I heard Foxlin speak Chinese, very standard pronunciation😃😃😃

This is such an awesome and unique gift Xyla!

Xyla I think you blew his mind with that gift. you could tell the reaction on his face was excitement. you nailed it

I love Maker Secret Santa! It may be my favorite YT holiday tradition. The chop and sign you made for Jimmy is both beautiful and meaningful. He can use it on his prints, along with his usual stencil of course. Getting a gift from Colin would be both terrifying and awesome. Looks like the terrifying part is yet to come. Time to go watch some more of these. Thanks for sharing!

Super sweet.
Jimmy is pretty awesome, as far as I can see.

My two favorite makers in the same video is like a Christmas gift to me :) ty and hope your holiday season is grand!

That chop was pretty cool. I liked the large version. That glossy red looked really great.

You made the nicest gift!! if I got something like that I would be crying my eyes out.

"If ya don't bleed for it, it ain't worth doin'." This is the most thoughtful of all the gifts in the Secret Santa Sircle this year, well done! (Although ToT's screwdrivers for Sam are a very close second.)

After watching all the vids, I think this one was hands-down the best, as it had the most thoughtful. Hard to do in a rush. Excellent work.

Loved everything about this!! 💙💙

amazing gift you made!!

I love this! Keep on making!

This is absolutely phenomenal!!! The quality of the whole project is amazing!

the red color on the big stamp was so beautiful I love it

That would be an amazing gift to get from someone!

So awesome that you can call your mom for help. The process you used to come to the idea of the present was awesome as well. So cool, thanks for sharing this with us!

You are such a beautiful soul! I love your vids! I have nothing to give you but good wishes for a great Christmas.

that big sign was a really cool design.

So many cool things about this especially getting your mom involved! Happy Holidays, Xyla.

Merry Christmas Miss Foxlin, loved the beginning where you showed the thoughtful creative process in deciding what to make for your secret santa . Your uniqueness shows thru in all your videos, thank you 🏮

Found your videos just before Christmas 2022 and binge watched all of them over the holiday weekend. The skills demonstrated combined with enthusiasm make the videos both interesting and uplifting. Thanks.

Dude! You did such an amazing job! The the final product! You killed it with this one!

This looks really nice! Wow!

Perfect mom! So cute and her energy is so good!!!

Colin? TOT? Diresta?
You've been placed among the stars. I never knew of you before the TOT video, but you absolutely deserve your spot among those heavy hitters

Such a beautiful gift! 😍