At this festive time of year, one’s thoughts turn to a great historical figure who led humanity out of the darkness and into the light. I’m talking, of course, about whoever invented the idea of the Secret Santa. This person rejuvenated Christmas for me; they reconnected me with the joy of giving, specifically the joy of only having to give things to one person instead of about 20. For my money – which this year is capped at $100 – Secret Santa is the greatest Christmas breakthrough since the invention of wrapping paper.

I say this because I’m old enough to remember what Christmas was like before the Secret Santa era. It was in serious danger of starting to suck. Whoever said it’s better to give than receive must have let their spouse handle the bulk of their Christmas shopping. I doubt they ever found themselves in a crowded megastore on Christmas Eve, holding a sweaty checklist with more names on it than a rugby team-sheet.

The Secret Santa model is about reciprocity, not altruism.Credit: Getty Images

Giving was never part of the equation when you were a kid, of course. For the first decade or so of your life, you ran a massive Christmas surplus. Gifts were things you received, and that was it. All you had to do at Christmas was show up, and presents would fly at you from all sides.

Then came the day when your parents announced that you were old enough to start giving presents too. At that moment, a dark shadow descended on the concept of the Christmas present.

Then, before you knew it,........

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