A much loved Christmas tradition is called Secret Santa or more commonly known as Kris Kringle. Kris Kringle is a variation of the name Santa Claus and originated in Germany. Secret Santa is a western tradition originated and popular in the United States. There are also variations in the spelling of the name, for example in England and Ireland it is spelled as ‘Chris Kindle’. While in Australia and Canada, both Secret Santa and Kris Kringle are commonly used for this tradition.

Kris Kringle is derived from the traditional German gift called Christkindle, which means baby Jesus. The Christkind tradition began in the 16th century in Europe. It was a time when the Protestant Martin Luther used his power to discourage the figure of Saint Nicholas as a gift bearer. He thought that it was more appropriate that the infant of Bethlehem, the baby Jesus, be represented as the bearer of gifts. Christkind was transformed in variations from a child angel with wings to a white robe, a crown with a teenage angel dressed in gold. Christkind secretly collects the letters children leave on the windowsill on Christmas Eve, and in return leaves a present instead.

Santa Claus was brought to America by Dutch settlers from Pennsylvania. In the mid-1820s they called him Kris Kringle or Belsnickle from the German ‘Pelz-nickle’ which means ‘Nicholas in Furs’ referring to Saint Nicholas who was transformed into Santa Claus.

In Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the tradition is called Engerl und Bengerl or Wichteln. In Brazil and in most places in Latin America it is practiced under the name ‘Secret Friend’, which means secret friend, while in Spain it is called ‘Invisible Friend’, which means invisible friend.

However, whatever its name is, it is a fun tradition that is often practiced in workplaces, community groups, and large family gatherings. The name of each participant is written on a piece of paper and placed in a box or hat and mixed. Then each person pulls out a sheet of paper and that is the person for whom they must anonymously purchase a gift to deliver at the designated Christmas event. The gift is then placed under the Christmas tree or on an assigned table with the name of the person it is for and nothing else. It’s a great way for family and friends and larger groups of people to share in the festive fun of gift-giving with minimal expense.

Variations of ‘Secret Santa’ include each person who writes under their name a short list of gift ideas that they would like within the budget limit allocated for the purchase of gifts. It is common to have a limit on the amount that can be spent on gifts. Sometimes the gift giver will reveal himself by handing the present directly to the person when everyone is gathered so everyone knows his identity. Sometimes the extra money saved from this practice is collected and given to the group or workplace chosen by the charity.