PALM BAY, Fla. – Two Palm Bay sisters decided to spend their Saturday night spreading the Christmas spirit.
- Two sisters set up a Secret Santa scavenger hunt in Palm Bay
- They bought gifts and hid them around town
- Clues to find the gifts were posted to social media
Faith Carlsen and Charity Cassidy were enjoying a quiet night with family until Carlsen had an idea. Instead of game night, they should involve the whole town in a Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt.
At 7:45 p.m., the two went Christmas shopping, buying gifts for people they don't know. The sisters then spent the next few hours hiding gifts all over Palm Bay. They posted clues on where to find the gifts on social media.
What the sisters didn't expect is that their gesture would create a ripple effect for people wanting to find the gifts and other wanting to leave gifts of their own.
Carlsen said she saw other cities do the same thing in the past and she wanted to do it her hometown.
The scavenger hunt is not only about spreading joy, but also teaching their kids that the holidays are not just for receiving gifts, it's also for giving.
"I brought my four children and my sister to help," Carlsen said.
Cassidy says this city-wide game is going to be an annual tradition, and is excited to see posts from people who were able to find the gifts.
"We dropped the gift off and took the picture," she said. "It's exciting and fun and the kids loved it."
The family will be hiding more toys tonight and Monday. To see the clues for the gifts, you need to be part of "Palm Bay Social" Facebook group or be lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time.