ST. CLOUD, Fla. – Many people enjoy unwrapping presents at Christmas, but a group of St. Cloud business owners has taken gift giving to another level, quietly transforming into the city’s unofficial Secret Santas.
By day, they run local shops and restaurants. By night, they’re hiding small surprises behind Christmas trees, near city hall, and throughout downtown St. Cloud — turning the city into a holiday treasure hunt.
10th Street Deli and Produce, located in downtown St. Cloud, is one of the businesses participating in the effort to spread seasonal cheer. Owner Adam Wagner said the initiative began a few years ago with hidden gift cards and has since grown into a community tradition.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE)| PINIT! Share your photos]
“We basically just pick random areas in town, and we try and hide it,” Wagner said. “We ask that somebody, when they find it, to take a picture of it and post it on social media that they found it.”
The idea is simple: families and residents out enjoying the holiday season may stumble upon a hidden gift, which could be a gift card or another small token from a local business. In return, organizers hope people will share their finds online, extending the joy and encouraging others to explore the city.
“Just kind of a hide-and-seek,” Wagner explained. “You know, just a fun family tradition that we like to do around this time of year.”
Beyond the fun of the search, Wagner said the goal is to give back to the community that supports their businesses all year long.
“We try to make it happy for everybody as much as we can,” he said.
As the tradition continues to grow, organizers hope more businesses will join in, ensuring that the spirit of giving remains at the heart of St. Cloud’s holiday season.