The Story of Secret Santa: History & How to Play | Christmas 2024

The Story of Secret Santa: History & How to Play | Christmas 2024

New Delhi: December is the month of joy. December, the year-end, brings a lot of hope for the people. Christmas is around the corner, and it is not only about trees and decorations; it is all about fun and being together. There are many traditions associated with Christmas, and one of them is “Secret Santa”.

“Secret Santa” is a game in which people anonymously gift each other gifts, and it is shown as an act of love and joy. But do you know where the concept of Secret Santa came from and where it is celebrated? Let’s find out in this article.

The Fascinating History of Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a popular Christmas gift exchange game among friends, family, and colleagues. In this game, people swap gifts without revealing who gave them, leading to a guessing game. There are different myths related to Secret Santa. Let us have a look at them.

The idea of Secret Santa comes from a philanthropist named Larry Dean Stewart. He had a difficult life and was homeless in 1971. One day, he entered a diner in Houston, Mississippi, ordering a large breakfast. He couldn’t pay for the meal and considered leaving without paying. However, the diner owner, Ted Horn, noticed him and gave Larry $20, saying, “I think you may have dropped this.” This act of kindness inspired Larry. He promised that if his situation improved, he would help others. Eventually, Larry became wealthy and became the first Secret Santa. Each Christmas, he went out on the streets and gave away hundreds of $100 bills to random people.

The other is that Secret Santa began as a Western tradition and has since spread worldwide. In this game, each person is assigned someone to whom they secretly give a gift. The goal is to bring joy through anonymous gifts. This tradition is known by different names in other countries, like ‘Kris Kringel’ in Ireland and ‘Kris Kringle’ in Canada and Australia. The main rule is to keep your identity secret while gifting.

How does Secret Santa work?

All participants will be matched with random recipients. The easiest way to do this is to use a Secret Santa online generator tool. Participants should share their wish lists to help with gift buying.

It is important to set a budget that works for everyone. The main rule is to keep your identity as someone’s Secret Santa a secret.

After all the gifts are exchanged and opened, recipients must guess who their secret Santa is.

 This article explores the intriguing origins of Secret Santa, tracing its evolution from a heartwarming act of kindness to a globally celebrated Christmas tradition. Learn more about Secret Santa and its origin and how to organise your own successful Secret Santa exchange.   knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge