We gathered seven moments from the Echo archives of people having the best days thanks to kind-hearted friends and relatives.
Some of them got extra special birthday gifts, in 1985 and 2014. Others had surprise visitors in 1972 and 2003, and one USA couple even got a Wearside wedding reception they were not expecting in 2008.
Intrigued? Read on.
5. A rocking good surprise from Dave
Dave Stewart surprised Sunderland shoppers by performing songs from his new album in the Market Square in 1990. | se
6. Happy times with the huskies
These Sunderland youngsters were waiting for Santa to arrive at The Bridges in 2003. They got an extra special surprise when four real-life huskies came along. | se
7. Here comes the USA bride - to a surprise Mackem party
Kip and Jennifer Esgard, from Oregon, were in the North East to watch Sunderland play in 2008. They were given a surprise wedding reception and Sunderland fan Gary Lamb helped them celebrate. | se
8. Simply the best birthday surprise
Marilyn Miller got the best surprise 60th birthday present from husband Steve in 2014. It was a birthday card showing a photo of them at Roker Park in 1976. Marilyn won £5 that day for being the Face in the Crowd. | se