Secret Santa

Santa has found it challenging at times to find helpers. My daughter was my accomplice a few times. My granddaughter served as wingwoman once. That was memorable. Store employees have lent a hand occasionally. But an employee snitched on me once and a manager caught me in the produce section and tried to call a reporter. 

A couple of years ago, as I ambled through Walmart scouting for a helper, past me walked an elf. I stopped, did a double take, pondered a moment then set off in pursuit. I had not been hallucinating. There she was, wearing a green tunic, frilly green tutu, red and white tights, pointy green elf shoes and an elf hat. Too good to be true. Turned out she was a patient rep at a local medical center.

She agreed to serve as my girl Friday and off we set searching for shoppers buying toys. Walmart shoppers can always use a little extra cash, but parents shopping for toys at Christmas, that’s special. Even more than buying people’s Yuletide groceries. Once slipped money to a cashier to pay for her next customer’s order. The lady tried to refuse but the cashier told her it was a done deal, so she said fine, then I’ll pay for the person behind me. 

I spied a little from around the nearest endcap, saw the jaws drop, saw the elf get the hugs, saw the occasional tears. That’s a story that will be told and a memory that will stick: “I was shopping for toys at Christmas and an elf came up and handed me money.”

Funds depleted, I engaged in a little PDA with my henchwoman and we made plans to repeat Operation Elf the following Christmas.