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'Magic of Christmas': Anonymous man pays off all laybys at department store


For many families, layby is how the holidays happen – particularly for those who don’t have the funds to purchase an item outright, or lack the credit to buy it immediately.

It’s those, of all people, who will appreciate this recent act of kindness most of all.

An anonymous person paid off all the layby items at a Walmart store in Vermont, US, according to local media. With just five weeks to go until Christmas, it was likely a blessing for many families.

A customer, Julie Gates, was picking up a package at the store on Thursday when she overheard the secret Santa asking if he could pay for someone’s items.

“I don’t even think if I can find the words to say,” she told the outlet. “He came up to the man in front of me and said, ‘Either I am going to pay for it now or I am going to pay for it later.’”

Shoppers returned to find they owed nothing on the items they were paying for on layby. Image: Getty
Shoppers returned to find they owed nothing on the items they were paying for on layby. Image: Getty

He then turned to Ms Gates and said: “Why don’t you run and get what you want now and come back here.” She was sceptical, but she did as he said and when she returned, he was still there.

The man had paid for Gates and everyone else in line. Gates estimated that the people in front of her had eight or nine-hundred dollars’ worth of layby items.

“This can’t be, who can afford to pay for everyone’s layby? And he said ‘Santa Claus can,’” Gates recalled.

But his kind gesture wasn’t just for the people in line. On Saturday, the layby storage room was filled from the floor to the ceiling with items – and now they’re all paid off.

Walmart refused to say just how much the generous shopper paid off. Image: Getty
Walmart refused to say just how much the generous shopper paid off. Image: Getty

Tammy Desautels was one of the individuals who had her items paid off. “It was kind of surreal when they said no balance due,” she said. “Then it was really a reality.”

Walmart is unable to disclose how much the man spent, but his kindness goes beyond gifts. For Ms Desautels, it’s one less thing to worry about.

For many families, the extra money will mean heat through the cold months, food or other necessities without giving up a magical Christmas.

“Really have a feeling that there is hope for mankind or whatever. There’s still good people out there,” Ms Desautels said.

“I get goosebumps thinking that — that is the true magic of Christmas, that’s the Christmas spirit walking among us,” Ms Gates added.