In all honesty a Secret Santa is a bit of a pain in the arse. You are more or less guaranteed to get stuff that is bordering on useless, you know the sort of thing, body/bath/shower gel or socks/hat/gloves etc.Sometimes it would just be easier if you turned round and said ‘why don’t you just give me the money instead?’ Then at least, well you could get yourself something you wanted or maybe you could put it to better use by paying your bills.
In an idea designed to be fun and make sure that everyone is included in holiday celebrations it often falls flat on its face and sadly reveals what our work colleagues actually think about us. Therefore you can end up not feeling included, not feeling in a very fun mood and having lost the spirit of Christmas or lost touch with the Winter Solstice.
Prepare to have your ice cold Narnian Witch’s heart melt by these tales of generosity and kindness. In some areas in the USA people are having their layaway plans for Christmas toys paid off by a Secret Santa. For example CNN reported that in Detroit one ‘Santa’ donated $2000 to pay of debts of 14 people.
Kmart has a layaway plan that runs all year round, not just at the holiday season so people who aren’t flush with money can save up for larger items which will be held at the shop until the bill is paid off.
Chicago Sun-Times reports that Santa’s little Elves have been visiting Naperville Kmart where 12 layaway balances were paid off just yesterday. This has even encouraged some of the staff to go and pay off a layaway too.
Think that is all I have to say about Secret Santas then?
Well no it isn’t, get the tissues at the ready for this next instance of Christmas goodwill.
In Indiana, Edna Deppe the assistant manager of Kmart told the story of a lady who paid the layaway bill of the worn out looking man standing in front of her with 3 kids and a bill.
He stood and looked at her then the assistant manager, Edna says, “He asked if it was a joke. I told him it wasn't, and that she was going to pay for him. And he just busted out in tears."
The woman in her mid 40s wasn’t by any shape or form finished, she continued on her spending spree and paid off even more layaway plans, as many as 50. Then, as a parting gift she paid for 2 trolley loads of toys for a woman at the till. The lady did not say who she was, only that her husband had just died and she wasn’t going to be able to spend the money, so it was only right that it brought happiness to others. 'Remember Ben’ is all she said.
Ok, I know I could be cynical and suggest that it is a Kmart publicity stunt but at the end of the day, does it really matter, because at least there are people somewhere who care enough to make a difference to the lives of other people.
