‘Elf’ who delivered Christmas gifts to strangers reveals herself as local mum

[Rob Thompson]

‘Elf’ who delivered Christmas gifts to strangers reveals herself as local mum

Source - Metro News

By - Jordan King

Date - 25-12-2021

Although Christmas is a wonderful time no matter how old you are, it is definitely especially so for children.

After all, what could be more exciting than living in a world where Santa Claus and elves still exist?

Well, one kind-hearted woman made magically receiving a gift a reality for everyone this year – including adults.

Tanya Utting, 37, left hundreds of anonymous presents outside homes in her village Elmswell, Suffolk, this year.

 

People have been trying to figure out who she is for almost a whole month and now, Tanya has decided to reveal her identity.

The mum spent the last few weeks sneaking out after 10pm to deliver flowers, potted plants, bulbs and chocolate.

The idea came to Tanya after she heard about some nearby elderly residents struggling with anti-social behaviour. But eventually, her kindness landed on everyone’s doorstep.

Tanya decided to reveal herself in time for Christmas (Picture: East Anglia News Service)
The Tesco worker said: ‘I chose houses at random and they would get a gift. I started at the beginning of the village and worked my way through every street.

‘I moved on to chocolate as treats for children, and a couple of my friends who were in on it would let me know which houses had children so I could visit them.

‘I just wanted to brighten people up, especially elderly residents. I wanted to make them feel special.’

The whole time, Tanya managed to keep everything a secret – with the help of her seven-year-old daughter Tilly who ‘just stood there completely poker-faced and did not let on anything’.

Tanya’s generous acts caused quite a stir in her village, leaving people to wonder who the ‘Elmswell Elf’ was.

She had to try hard to ‘keep her mouth shut’ as people posted and chatted about who the mysterious gift-giver was all over.

Her jig was almost ruined when someone’s security camera filmed Tanya leaving a present outside their house.

But Tanya was wearing her bobble hat and no one recognised her – although she did have to stop wearing the hat on the school run afterwards.

Tanya was even interviewed on  ITV’s This Morning programme – albeit with her voice disguised and her back to the camera.

The last delivery was made on Thursday – just in time for Tanya to settle in and enjoy her own Christmas with her family.

She said: ‘It was amazing to read all the feedback on the village Facebook page. People felt so touched that they had received a gift and didn’t know where it had come from.

‘I decided to out myself in time for Christmas, and I hope to deliver gifts again next year, although it will no longer be in secret.’

[Rob Thompson]

Wow, a real Santa's Elf  

[Santa SteveKl]

Another great share, Thanks Rob!