Secret Santa Christmas Parties

by Matti Mattila

Do you have a secret pal?  In December, at annual Christmas parties, people place their names in a hat or bag, and each participant picks a random name and becomes that person’s secret pal for the entire year.  During the year, the secret pal leaves small gifts or encouraging words for the person whom they picked in December.  They even do small acts of kindness for their person during the year. 

Hiding their identity for a year makes getting to the annual Christmas Party even more exciting because identities are revealed.    At the Christmas Party, secret pals become Secret Santa’s as they bring their final gift.  When participants wear Santa hats to the party, their Secret Santa role is solidified. 

Despite the festive food and merriment all around, everyone anxiously awaits finding out who has been giving them gifts and cards for twelve months.  Then the time arrives and the party host announces, “It’s time to exchange gifts with your Secret Santa.”  Gifts are exchanged and people gasp, “You were my secret pal?!”  Others brag, “I knew it was you all along.”    Friends, relatives, or co-workers laugh, hug, and thank one another for the thoughtfulness and kindness shown all year.

Then someone announces, “It’s time to pull names for next year,” and the fun begins again.

July 27th, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Holiday Parties | (0)