This Christmas, numerous Pokemon fans around the world are planning to spread holiday cheer to new players everywhere through Surprise Trade in “Operation Delibird”.

“Operation Delibird” is something of an annual tradition for Pokemon fans, named after the famous “Santa Claus bird” Pokemon from Gold/Silver. Every year around Christmas time, players would use Wonder Trade (AKA Surprise Trade) to trade rare or interesting Pokemon to other players as a “Christmas Gift”.

The idea is that since many people might be getting a Pokemon game for Christmas, these new players would be very happy to receive a rare or interesting Pokemon from the Wonder Trade/Surprise Trade.

This is a sentiment shared by many Pokemon fans participating in the event this year with Pokemon Sword And Shield, as shared in this article by Eurogamer:

I hope the pokemon fanbase does the thing again where we breed a ton of starters and version exclusives and send them out as mystery trades on Christmas and Dec 26, because you KNOW a bunch of kids get the game for Christmas

— Diana Soreil (silencedrowns on every site) (@silencedrowns) November 19, 2019

Soreil: “I love knowing that whoever gets something special just had their day made a little brighter. The world is a trash fire lately, and while I can’t do anything major to help, cheering someone up by flooding Surprise Trade with 300 Mimikyus is something small and easy I can actually do.”

Bennet: “The old adage, ‘It’s better to give than it is to receive’ has always rung true to me; especially this time of year. There will be thousands of kids (and adults alike) worldwide who will be getting this game or even their first Switch for Christmas. I hope some of the Pokemon I’ll be sending out will make someone’s new journey a great experience.”

Kal: “Honestly the only reaction I want is for them to be happy.”

If you own Pokemon Sword And Shield, you can take part in this event yourself by breeding your starter, version exclusives, or any other interesting Pokemon, then Surprise Trading them away through the Y-Comm menu.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.