The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHRISTMAS CUSTOM--BEFORE CHRISTMAS

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT SOMEONE PUTS ALL
THE NAMES OF EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY IN A
HAT. THEN EACH PERSON PICKS A NAME. NOW
FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS THIS PERSON IS
"KRIS KRINGLE" TO THE PERSON HE PICKED.
DURING ADVENT YOU DO NICE THINGS AND GIVE
LITTLE GIFTS, I.E., MAKING THEIR BED FOR
THEM, GIVING THEM CANDY. BUT THIS IS ALWAYS
DONE ANONIMOUSLY. THEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WE HAVE A PARTY AND YOU GIVE ONE LAST PRESENT
TO YOUR PERSON, WHO YOU HAVE BEEN HELPING AND
REVEAL THAT YOU'RE HIS "KRIS.."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Date learned: NOT GIVEN