Families and friends all over the world exchange anonymous gifts each Christmas season through Secret Santa. The beloved festive gift exchange stems from Mr. Ted Horn’s selfless act. Since 1971 Secret Santa has grown in popularity, becoming a classic Christmas tradition, according to, according to wsj.com.
Secret Santa goes by many different names throughout the world. For example, in different countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, they call the tradition Kris Kringle, meaning Christ Child. The Germans call it Witcheln, meaning goblin or elf, according to bustle.com. Despite the different names, the tradition centers around a gift-giving figure. In the United States (US), however, that figure is Santa Claus, whereas in Germany, they believe it is an elf or goblin, according to dw.com
The US origins of Secret Santa come from the small town of Houston, Mississippi. In 1971, a homeless man named Mr. Larry Stewart wandered into town and made a stop at the Dixie Diner in town. He sat down and ordered the largest breakfast on the menu but his plan was to walk out before the meal arrived. Mr. Horn, the owner of the diner, sensed what was about to happen and subtly offered the stranger $20 to pay for the meal, according to cbsnews.com.
Mr. Stewart then vowed that if he ever became fortunate enough, would return this favor. Eventually Mr. Stewart made a fortune in cable, according to cbsnews.com. Because of his new found fortune Mr. Stewart could fulfill his earlier promise. Each December, he would walk the streets of Mississippi handing out $100 bills to those who needed it. Over the span of 26 years, Mr. Stewart gave away 1.3 million dollars to strangers, according to The New York Times.
In 2006, Mr. Stewart revealed himself as the Secret Santa in an attempt to use his celebrity to prompt people to take random kindness seriously, according to The New York Times. Mr. Stewart died in January 2007, but his mission to spread kindness year round and especially in the Christmas season continues to live on through his impact on the world. Mr. Stewart’s close friends now acts as the current “Secret Santa” and have managed to give away $800,000 in the past decade.
Mr. Stewart’s goal of spreading kindness in the Christmas season lives on in this tradition. Currently Secret Santa is a popular Christmas tradition played between friends and family. Family and friends exchange gifts from an anonymous person that they know will brighten the recipients day, but many also spread kindness, like Mr. Stewart and Mr. Ted Horn.
Featured Image by Catherine Ononye ’27
