Secret Santa has become a ritual over time, where people give gifts to one another…without letting them know, anonymously. It is a Western Christmas or Saint Nicholas tradition, which began to be known as Secret Santa in the United States and the United Kingdom. The members of a group are assigned a person at random, to whom they give presents. The gift giver’s identity is kept a secret till the end.

Or simply a stranger leaves something at a desk, chair, table or anywhere around in a space where someone can have it. Or at the side of someone who is in the need of it, that too without him knowing it.

Let’s see how the tradition gained recognition through the years-

Ted’s random act of kindness which gave birth to a philanthropist

It is believed that the custom of Secret Santa began in 1971. A man in Houston, Mississippi had lost his job. With no money and a starving stomach, he went inside a dining place, Dixie Diner. After ordering the biggest meal from the menu, he planned to leave before the bill came.

The chief owner, Ted Horn could understand all this. He handed a 20$ note to the stranger and told, “You must have dropped this.” This tiny kind gesture was well remembered by the stranger. He vowed to pay back for the 20$ bill. The stranger was none other than Larry Stewart, the Secret Santa of Kansas City.

After some years during Christmas of 1979, when Larry was at a drive-in restaurant. He saw a carhop, who hadn’t put on a jacket and handed her a 20$ note. She was in tears, with trembling lips the woman said, “Sir, you have no idea what this means to me.”  Larry was moved by this and began ‘a journey of giving’.

Larry started by handing money to the needy, which was usually hundred dollar bills. He believed in giving cash as it was something people do not have to “beg for, get in line for or apply for.”

Larry Stewart, the Secret Santa and philanthropist

Larry Stewart gained wealth and fortune from Cable television and phone services in Kansas City. Apart from the cash he distributed among the needy, Stewart also donated money to community charities in Kansas and Bruce, Mississippi. He even sent help to other metropolitan areas, also visited New York after September 11, 2001 and when Hurricane Katrina devastated Mississippi.

The identity of Larry Stewart wasn’t known until 2006 when he got diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. After the illness, Stewart began to ‘train’ other Secret Santa. During the 2006 holiday season, they were scheduled to give $65000. The legacy of Larry Stewart is continued even after his death as a tradition which is now spread all over the world. Larry’s act was even supported by some well-known people including Oprah Winfrey, George Brett and Buck O’ Neil.

The tradition is known with different names at different places- Kris Kringle in Ireland, Canada and Australia, Wichteln and Kris Kindle in Austria, Monito Monita in the Phillipines, Angelito in the Dominican Republic and Amigo Secreto in Brazil.

These names are derived from the gift bringers known traditionally, the Santa Claus in America, St Nicholas in Poland, Christkindl in Austria, Three kings in Phillipines and Amigo Occult in Brazil.

Carrying forward the tradition

The Secret Santa tradition is now celebrated in schools, colleges, among families and even at workplaces. The culture connects people together, creates harmony and also increases productivity at workspaces. In India too, the tradition is adopted by companies to initiate bonding among the employees.

Giving presents is a small gesture of love and care. It is about kindness towards those who are in need. That’s why the practice is encouraged and carried forward all over the world. So, be someone’s Secret Santa this Christmas and spread some love!