Every year, somewhere between the last meeting and the office party, a little piece of paper with a name on it changes hands. Kris Kringle season has begun!

I have had some lovely ones. One year I unwrapped a bottle of wine from Margaret River in Western Australia, my favourite wine region in the country. Whoever drew my name had clearly been listening, and it made my day. Another year I received a beautiful pair of earrings… except I don't have pierced ears! And my favourite of all: my five-year-old once came home with a cocktail mixing kit. We are still laughing about that one.

So where did Kris Kringle come from?

The name started life in German-speaking Europe as Christkind, or Christkindl, the "Christ child" who brings gifts at Christmas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. German families carried the tradition to America, and by the 1840s English speakers in Philadelphia had turned Christkindl into "Kris Kringle". Over time Kris Kringle simply became another name for Santa Claus (think of the kindly Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street). Here in Australia, and in Ireland and the Philippines too, the name now belongs to the secret gift swap we all know.

How the rest of the world does it

• Sweden: Julklapp, meaning "Christmas knock". Traditionally a gift was left anonymously on a friend's doorstep, often with a little riddle to help them guess who it was from.
• Spain, Portugal and Latin America: amigo secreto or amigo invisible, the "secret" or "invisible friend". In Brazil it can run all December, with small gifts left along the way until the big reveal.
• Germany: Wichteln, from Wichtel, a little gnome or sprite who quietly does good deeds.
• The Philippines: Monito-Monita, their own name for the secret gift swap.
• The Netherlands, Belgium and Poland often tie their gift swaps to Saint Nicholas on 5–6 December rather than Christmas Day.
• The United States: White Elephant or Yankee Swap, where you can "steal" someone else's gift. Friendships have been tested!

Whatever we call it, the idea is the same: a small gift, a big smile, and the fun of guessing who it was from.

Your turn

What is the most interesting Kris Kringle gift you have ever received? Share it in the comments below. I would love to hear it!

Drawn a name this year? Our Kris Kringle gifts under $25 are small treasures with a story, from South African beadwork to Japanese plates and Australian-made earrings like the toy Santas above. (Just check first whether your person has pierced ears!) Buying for a few people? Our gift sets ship free.

Merry Christmas!
Christmas Wanderer