A few weeks ago, I received a message from a woman in Texas named Becci. Her words carried warmth, love, and the kind of perspective that stays with you.
She began with a little background about her son:
“My son, Scott, got a serious head injury in a car accident when he was 18. Now, he lives in a home with five other men who also have challenges. He shares a room, a closet, and a dresser with another person, so there’s not much space for gifts. He doesn’t need clothes, they provide toiletries, and they don’t allow much snack food. Finding the right gift is really hard.”
For years, Becci had worked around these limitations with creativity. She would give Scott a box of “experiences” — things he could enjoy throughout the year. A trip to the movies, an outing to the zoo, maybe a ticket to a local event. But this year, she had already done that. So she was stuck. What else could she give her son that would mean something?
And then, it hit her.
“I can’t give a million dollars like your Secret Santa, but I can still spread some kindness through my son. Scott has a kind and loving heart and is a blessing to everyone who knows him. This year, his gift is giving back. I gave him some $20 bills, cards to write in, and supplies to make his own. With a little help from me, he’ll choose who to donate to and spread joy, just as he has been blessed.”
The beauty of her idea wasn’t just in the gift itself, but in the way it empowered Scott — giving him the chance to make decisions, to choose people in need, and to be the giver instead of just the recipient.
A few weeks later, Becci sent me an update.
“Scott, our very own Secret Santa here in Pflugerville, has finished his giving. He delivered diapers and baby wipes to a mom who needed help taking care of her baby. He donated birthday cake bundles to a local food bank in honor of a friend’s grandson who loved birthdays but sadly passed away. He gave toys to a Bulldog rescue.”
Becci laughed as she recalled the shopping trip.
“Scott had so much fun deciding who to help, what to give, and even shopping — though shopping for baby wipes with him took five hours! But this has been so inspiring that we’ve decided to make it a holiday tradition.”
The ripple effect had already begun.
Becci signed up to volunteer at the local food bank. Her daughter began making birthday cake bundles for children in need. Friends heard about it and wanted to join in. And all of it started with one simple idea — to give Scott the gift of giving.
Who knows how far this wave of kindness will reach?
No matter where we are, what we have, or what limitations life places on us, there’s always a way to be a light. Scott reminded us that anyone can be a Secret Santa, not just in December, but all year long.
And sometimes, the greatest gifts aren’t the ones we open — they’re the ones we give.
