{"id":25326,"date":"2019-12-25T12:13:10","date_gmt":"2019-12-25T17:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25326"},"modified":"2025-12-25T11:47:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T16:47:54","slug":"the-secret-santas-by-lizabeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25326","title":{"rendered":"The Secret Santas (by Lizabeth)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza<\/strong><\/span>
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<\/strong><\/span>
\n* Day 13 *<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Summary: The Cartwrights’ Secret Santa tradition origin and evolution, as told from each son’s perspective.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G
\nWord Count:\u00a0 3,150<\/p>\n

The Secret Santas<\/b><\/p>\n

December 1835 \u2014 Adam<\/strong><\/p>\n

The family of three were spending the winter in St. Joseph, or St. Joe, as some folks called it. They would stay until spring when it would be safer to travel with a wagon train. They had two rooms in what Adam knew was a fancy boarding house. The rooms were connected by a door that was cracked open a bit when he slept during the day. Mama said it was so she could hear him better if he needed her.<\/p>\n

Once again, he\u2019d gotten sick. This time, though, his mama was there to see he was ill before he even knew it. She had insisted he go to bed and brought him drinks that soothed his throat.<\/p>\n

Just having her stay with him all day so that he didn\u2019t have to be alone in the boarding house was the best medicine he could have. Of course, she also gave him her Swedish remedy, and he happily took it. It tasted better than the doctor\u2019s. Adam was sure it worked better, too. After all, she told him it was made with her secret ingredient\u2026 love.<\/p>\n

Mama hummed most of the day. When she wasn\u2019t humming, she\u2019d play his mother\u2019s music box. It was warm and comfortable in the trundle bed, and he floated in and out of sleep with happy dreams of Mama wiping his brow or feeding him.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Adam was sitting up in bed, awake most of the day. Mama still wanted him to stay in bed another day. And he quietly obeyed.<\/p>\n

She surprised him by bringing the rocking chair next to his bed after supper. \u201cLet me rock you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it is! You\u2019re not too big for me to hold you. Even if you were, I would still hold you in my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam climbed out of bed, and Inger helped him settle on her lap. She covered him with a comforter so he wouldn\u2019t get a chill. Pa came in and sat on the other side of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know that Santa is different in different lands?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he is. In the village where I grew up, he was called Tomte. He\u2019s a gnome who travels with a goat and sled. In most places in Sweden, he would knock on doors and be invited inside. In my village, though, he would knock and leave his presents on the porch or outside the door. No one ever knew who he was. The children were told not to peek for fear he would leave our village and go elsewhere where no one would bother him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike Santa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJa. So, what do you want Santa to bring you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. He won\u2019t come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger looked at him in confusion, and then looked at Ben. He had a sheepish look on his face, and she\u00a0raised an eyebrow. She gently asked Adam, \u201cHe\u2019s never visited you at Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little boy sadly shook his head. \u201cPa says he can\u2019t find our wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Well, I heard you have to believe in him for him to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did that. It didn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a moment, Ben spoke softly, \u201cAdam, I think this year Santa will come. Is there something you\u2019d like him to bring?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Anything he can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The silence lingered until Inger broke it, \u201cLet\u2019s leave the decision to Santa, then. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be happy with his choice.\u201d She then rocked him and sang several lullabies. His eyes became heavy, and before she finished the third song he was sound asleep. Ben lifted him from her lap. Together they gently tucked him in before retreating to the other room.<\/p>\n

Once the door was closed, Inger turned on her husband, \u201cDo you want to explain why didn\u2019t Santa come?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hung his head. \u201cI\u2019d rather not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger stood glaring at her husband, both fists on her hips, and he found the silence unnerving. He didn\u2019t think he\u2019d ever seen her so angry. Finally, he relented and continued, \u201cWell, at first he was too little to know about Santa. And last year money was tight. I didn\u2019t even know he knew about Santa until months later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you think a shiny penny, a piece of candy or a toy would be too much?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think he knew about Santa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already said that. And now you do. You\u2019d better find something to make up for Santa not coming before. It doesn\u2019t have to be anything flashy, but it does have to be something we can take in the wagon when we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you telling my how to raise my<\/em> son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am telling you how we<\/em> should raise our<\/em> son. He\u2019s a little boy. He has no toys. It\u2019s important for a child to believe in someone like Santa. Don\u2019t you think that helps them believe in what the Bible teaches?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJumpin\u2019 Jehosophat, Inger, I\u2019m doing the best I can!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that. But you are no longer alone. So what are we going to get our son?\u201d<\/p>\n

That year, one very happy little boy had not one but two shiny pennies, a bag of butterscotch candies, a primer and a leather ball from Santa. He thought the best present was the tumbling block quilt his new mama had made especially for him. It was the first time anyone had made anything for him. He knew that he and Pa were now rich, since they had Inger. Adam bundled up in his quilt when he got sick, and it made him feel better to be surrounded by his mama\u2019s love.<\/p>\n

In December 1840 when Hoss got sick and Ben was in New Orleans, Adam gave his little brother the quilt Inger had made.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

December 1841 \u2014 Hoss<\/strong><\/p>\n

It had been a difficult year in some ways, and a very good year in others. The ranch was flourishing. The Cartwrights had food without having to depend upon hunting and fishing. Marie had joined the family. It had been difficult for Adam to welcome her, although by the end of the year he was quietly accepting her.<\/p>\n

Adam was still in charge of seeing that Hoss stayed out of trouble when they went to town. The mercantile at Eagle Station was a potential disaster for a little boy who didn\u2019t know his own strength. And because of his size, adults who didn\u2019t know thought Hoss was an older child. It was Adam\u2019s job to make sure Hoss stayed away from breakables and kept watch on his younger brother.<\/p>\n

On this trip, Hoss and Adam talked to the Bell children who had recently moved to the area. Innocently, Hoss asked them what they hoped Santa would bring. They told him Santa never came to their house. His eyes got big and filled with tears as he realized what that meant. The boys were separated when Mrs. Bell collected her children, and Marie came over to tell her boys they could each pick out a piece of candy.<\/p>\n

All the way home Hoss was quiet. When he was alone, he asked Adam to write his letter to Santa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Santa,<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a good boy this year. And we have a lot of good things. Thank you for sending Mama with Pa. She\u2019s exactly what I wanted for both Christmas and my birthday.<\/em><\/p>\n

You know the Bell children who just moved here? They say you\u2019re not coming to their house. Since you already gave us Mama this year, would you give them my gifts? Adam says you can give them his gifts, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Love,<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After Marie tucked Hoss into bed, Adam pulled out the letter and handed it to Pa. He read it, then shared it with Marie.<\/p>\n

Once they\u2019d both finished, Adam asked, \u201cCan we be the Tomte for the Bells? I have some pennies saved that could be used for candy. I made a toy for Hoss, and think I can finish two more for the Bell boys before Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Marie asked what the Tomte was, Adam and Ben explained what Inger had said. Marie loved the idea of a Secret Santa, and so they made some plans. Hoss would get his wish, although he\u2019d also still get his gifts.<\/p>\n

There was a toy for each child. Marie made a rag doll with a dress and nightie for each girl. Adam finished his toys for the boys. Ben shot a turkey for the family on Christmas Eve, and there was a box from their cellar of canned goods and staples.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben took the gifts to the Bell\u2019s house. Adam stayed hidden from view in the wagon, but he could see his father deliver the gifts, knock on the door and run back to the wagon. Mr. Bell answered the door with his rifle, but quickly saw the gifts and took them inside. Before shutting the door, he yelled a hearty, \u201cThank you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam didn\u2019t see the Bell children until spring when they were still talking about Santa and his gifts. Hoss had been told that his letter was sent to Santa and that he wasn\u2019t to tell anyone about it or it would ruin Santa\u2019s surprise. He took it very seriously and never told anyone.<\/p>\n

December 1859 \u2014 Joe<\/strong><\/p>\n

At seventeen, Joe was excited to finally be included in the family\u2019s Secret Santa plans. He\u2019d known about it for several years and that it was a secret. Rather than blurt out that he knew the truth, he kept it to himself until his father and brothers decided to include him.<\/p>\n

He felt he had to do that to prove to them and to himself that he could keep a secret just as well or better than them. He was learning to hold his tongue when it came to important matters including secrets.<\/p>\n

This year he learned a couple of secrets from his father. First was that Adam had not had a visit from Santa until Inger joined the family. Thanks to her, Santa came every year after that. As a little boy, Joe\u2019d assumed Santa came every year. When he learned how Santa hadn\u2019t come when Adam was very young, he wondered how that had affected his oldest brother. Initially he found it inconceivable that anyone in his family would not have been visited by Santa. When he saw Adam avert his gaze when it was mentioned, Joe uncharacteristically held his tongue instead of making a snide comment.<\/p>\n

And he learned the story of the first Secret Santa Christmas. He also learned that Adam had given Hoss the quilt Inger had made for him. And when Joe asked, his pa had confessed that the antique tile quilt his own mama had made was originally Adam\u2019s. And it began to dawn on Joe just how much his oldest brother did indeed love him and Hoss.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mission this year was to find out if the families they were helping needed anything specific. Adam would be headed to San Francisco next week and could pick up any items that might arouse suspicion in Virginia City. This year confirmed Joe\u2019s own suspicion that this Christmas project was one reason why Adam always went to the city in early December.<\/p>\n

It warmed Joe\u2019s heart to realize that his family helped children every year. And he was pleased that his mother was an important part of the first Secret Santa.<\/p>\n

Joe knew his brothers teased him about doing their chores on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What they didn\u2019t know was that he\u2019d started it, not to hurry their opening of presents as they assumed, but rather to help them get some extra sleep before and after their deliveries.<\/p>\n

Yes, he thought again, he could keep a secret. And this one was definitely worth keeping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

December 1873 \u2014 Jamie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jamie was deep in thought while doing his chores alone in the barn. He felt blessed to be part of this family. Every time he thought about the loss of Hoss, it still hurt. Pa had been right, though, that it hurt less with time. He forced himself to think of the good times and not focus on what was lost.<\/p>\n

In the aftermath of Hoss and Alice\u2019s deaths, Adam had returned. He had slipped seemingly effortlessly into the oldest brother role, which Joe had willingly abdicated. That made Joe the middle brother once again, which he seemed to be enjoying thoroughly. He could tease both brothers and was beginning to be the Joe they\u2019d known before.<\/p>\n

As Jamie moved to clean the next stall, a deep baritone voice interrupted his thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant some help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. I ain\u2019t gonna turn down help. It makes the job go faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the burden lighter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. How did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

The side of Adam\u2019s mouth twisted in a small smile, \u201cLots of experience doing chores alone and with help.\u201d And then he winked.<\/p>\n

Since his arrival, Adam had been helping Joe overcome not only desert ordeal but also their shared grief at losing Hoss, and Joe\u2019s losses of Alice and their unborn baby. Hop Sing had been right that Adam was the only one who could somehow reach Joe and help him heal. Oh, Jamie had no doubt that had Hoss lived, he would have done as good or better job. After all, Pa and Joe had both said that it was Hoss who had helped Adam both after his own ordeal in the desert and after losing Laura and Peggy Dayton to their cousin Will.<\/p>\n

It was time to think about Christmas and gifts. Jamie had little experience with giving before he became a Cartwright. The concept of Santa finding his family had been only a distant memory to him. Santa had stopped coming after his mother died.<\/p>\n

The two brothers worked side by side in silent companionship. Jamie was amazed at how quickly Adam had become not only his brother but someone accessible that he could lean on, whether for advice or just someone to listen. It wasn\u2019t the same as Hoss, but Jamie still cherished their relationship.<\/p>\n

When they reached the last stall at almost the same time, they shared a chuckle. Jamie immediately volunteered to do it. After Adam cleaned and put away his tools, he began to check the tack. Jamie finished the stall and dumped the wheelbarrow, and then cleaned his own tools before putting them away.<\/p>\n

Since it looked like his oldest brother was open to a conversation, Jamie decided to ask about the origin of the family\u2019s Secret Santa tradition. Hoss had planned to tell him last year, and it seemed fitting to ask his oldest brother who Hoss had said started it. Before he could ask his question, Adam spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what, check the tack?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, read my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed. \u201cOh that. Lots of practice with younger brothers. So, I take it you do have something you want to talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Hoss promised to tell me about the Secret Santa tradition. The first one. Although he said he might need Pa\u2019s help since he was a little boy when it happened. He said his memory was sketchy about that year. Will you tell me the story?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. You ready for a break? We could go in the house and get a warm drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

They walked in companionable silence to the ranch house. The silence was something else Jamie appreciated about Adam. He didn\u2019t have to fill every minute with conversation or chatter. Actually, when Jamie thought about it, his oldest brother rarely spoke any unnecessary words. After hanging up their hats and coats, Adam went into the kitchen. He spoke briefly with Hop Sing and then came out with two cups of warm apple cider. Each had a cinnamon stick sticking out of it.<\/p>\n

He handed one to Jamie, who settled himself on the settee while Adam sat in the blue chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Adam! How did you get the cinnamon sticks?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think it helped that I brought extras from my latest trip to San Francisco. I told Hop Sing what we were going to talk about, and he said it was a celebration of growing up that you were finally learning the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both sipped their cider and then held the mugs in their hands. Their warmth was a comfort after working all morning in the barn. The weather had turned brisk, and Jamie wondered if it might snow. The sky looked that way, but he was never as good at predicting the weather as Hoss had been. A silent tear tracked down his cheek as he thought about never seeing his biggest brother again. He quickly turned and brushed it away, hoping Adam wouldn\u2019t see. If he did, he didn\u2019t let on.<\/p>\n

The combination of the warm fire and spiced apple cider helped Jamie relax. He hadn\u2019t realized how tense he\u2019d been, worrying about what was the right time and way to approach Adam.<\/p>\n

His oldest brother was silent with a far off gaze as he searched his memories. After a few moments, he began his story with Hoss wanting to help the Bell children. He explained how Santa hadn\u2019t come before Inger, and what she said about the Tomte.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince then, it\u2019s become a tradition at Christmas for us to give anonymous gifts and share our bounty with those less fortunate. This year you can help decide about gifts and make the deliveries. We have to be quiet and sneaky, which is why Joe never did it until he was older than you. He did help with the gifts and often had great suggestions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe had the sneaky part down. It was holding back his giggles that was too challenging for him to make deliveries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eye twinkled and then both of them chuckled. Jamie thought about everything Adam had said.<\/p>\n

After a few moments he remarked, \u201cAnd all that started from Hoss when he was a very little boy wanting to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one way of looking at it. Without Inger and her story\u2014whether true or not\u2014Pa and I would never have thought about it. It actually was a way for us, first Pa and me, and later Hoss to honor Inger and her memory at Christmas. Then after Marie was gone, we also did it to honor her. And this year, we\u2019ll all do it to honor Hoss and all our mothers\u2019 memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely want to help. What do I do first?\u201d<\/p>\n

They discussed what they\u2019d need to do. Ben, Joe and Hop Sing wanted to be part of it. Candy and Griff also wanted to help.<\/p>\n

No outsider ever discovered the Secret Santas\u2019 identities. Or if they did, they kept the secret.<\/p>\n

Often during deliveries the Secret Santas thought they heard Hoss\u2019 hearty laugh and Inger and Marie\u2019s joyous ones. And perhaps they did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Link to 2019 Advent Calendar – December 14:<\/p>\n

The Tipping Point by Patina<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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Summary: The Cartwrights’ Secret Santa tradition origin and evolution, as told from each son’s perspective.<\/p>\n

Rating: G
\nWord Count: 3,150<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10601,"featured_media":25241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1008,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-25326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":713,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/advent.jpg?fit=480%2C413&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40556,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40556","url_meta":{"origin":25326,"position":0},"title":"Be a Friend (by Sierras)","author":"Sierras","date":"December 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Can a gingerbread man help Little Joe make a new friend? Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words: 560 Written for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Joe Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Joe Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1007"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Christmas_angel_229x350.jpg?fit=229%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":61190,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61190","url_meta":{"origin":25326,"position":1},"title":"In Loving Memory (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The longing of Christmas past memories. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (100 words) Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46774,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46774","url_meta":{"origin":25326,"position":2},"title":"On the Way West (by wx4rmk)","author":"wx4rmk","date":"December 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Though many people choose to write a story for the Advent Calendar, members are free to choose how they wish to respond to their prompt. Drawn for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar.","rel":"","context":"In "Prequel"","block_context":{"text":"Prequel","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=30"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35279,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35279","url_meta":{"origin":25326,"position":3},"title":"Family Treasures (by Sierras)","author":"Sierras","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben and his young sons have received a box from Inger's brother Gunnar right before Christmas. What could be inside? 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