11.15.2013

AMIGO SECRETO

A Western Christmas tradition in which members of a group or community are randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift. Often practiced in workplaces or amongst large families, participation in it is usually voluntary. It offers a way for many people to give and receive a gift at low cost, since the alternative gift tradition is for each person to buy gifts for every other person. In this way, the Secret Santa tradition also encourages gift exchange groups whose members are not close enough to participate in the alternative tradition of giving presents to everyone else.
Australia:       Secret Santa, Kris Kringle or Chris Kindle 
Austria:          Wichteln or Engerl und Bengerl.
Brazil:            Amigo secreto or amigo oculto (secret friend)
Canada:        Secret Santa or Kris Kringle
Germany:      Wichteln or Engerl und Bengerl
Ireland:          Kris Kringle or Chris Kindle (derivado do austríaco "Christkindl", ie, "Christ Child") i
Philippines:    Secret Santa or Kris Kringle  (where it is also known as Monito-monita);  Three Kings.
Spain:            Amigo invisible (invisible friend)
Switzerland:   Wichteln or Engerl und Bengerl
UK:                Secret Santa / Father Christmas
USA:             Secret Santa (The term Secret Santa can refer to the practice itself, or any of the people participating)
                      Southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey: Pollyanna