WestJet's 2019 Christmas "Miracle" Highlights Real Acts of Giving And Receiving

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A hologram Blue Santa surprised visitors to the WestJet Christmas tent (Credit: WestJet.com)

Every holiday season, Canada's WestJet airlines finds a unique way to bring Christmas cheer to hundreds of unsuspecting families. Past "miracles" have included surprising weary travelers with iPods, fulfilling extravagant Christmas wishes from passengers aboard two late-night flights, and reuniting loved ones living in different countries for the holidays. In 2019, the company decided to let customers determine if they wanted to keep the generous gift being offered to them or donate it to a family in need.

WestJet's 2019 Christmas "miracle" event took place earlier this month inside a massive blue Santa hat-shaped tent set up in a busy holiday market in Toronto, Canada. Upon entering, visitors found a winter wonderland complete with free hot cocoa, a giant snow globe, snow, and Christmas trees. As families were exploring, a blue Santa hologram suddenly appeared on the horizon. After greeting each of them by name, he encouraged them to pick one of the several gift boxes placed under the trees.

The blue Santa hologram was accompanied by Ebeniza Scrooge, who encouraged visitors to keep the gifts (Credit: WestJet.con)

As soon as the visitor picked a box, its contents — which ranged from two round trip tickets to Europe to a weeklong beach vacation — were displayed on the screen. Santa then asked the excited recipients if they wished to keep the gifts or donate them to families at the Ronald McDonald House. As visitors pondered over their decision, an animated Ebeniza Scrooge (the lone descendant of Ebenezer Scrooge, according to WestJet) hologram popped up to try to convince them to keep their gift.

Visitors who decided to donate their presents had another surprise in store for them — an invite to spend a day with the children and their families at the local Ronald McDonald House. The special Christmas celebration included, among other things, a generous, real-life blue Santa who insisted they keep the presents he gave them.

Gift donors enjoyed a special Christmas celebration at the local Ronald McDonald House (Credit: WestJet.com)

Just like in previous years, the company shared a tear-jerking video from the events on YouTube on December 9, 2019. As Richard Bartrem, WestJet vice-president, Marketing Communications, succinctly said, “The conversation around giving and receiving is a powerful one, and this year’s video finds inspiration in both sides of the story. The authentic reactions and emotions made possible through these acts make this year’s Christmas Miracle truly heartwarming."

Resources: westjet.com,globalnewswire.com

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146 Comments
  • giraffe5
    giraffe512 months
    that is amazing!!!!!!
    • keiko
      keikoalmost 3 years
      i would do that i can,t belive I'm crying
      • mico14
        mico14about 3 years
        #OperationChristmaschild
        • carriblogs
          carriblogsabout 3 years
          Omg SO Sweet!!!!!!!🥇 first place for kindness!
          • merkatmichaella
            merkatmichaellaover 3 years
            That is so sweet, I would donate it too, because I think that sick children need that money more than me. I was basically crying, happy crying when I saw everyone in there donate the money. If you agree that people are sweet and nice follow me and also if you would donate too follow me please. Thank you.
            • wolfomg72738
              wolfomg72738almost 4 years
              I was sobbing so hard when I watched this so sweet and so kind merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANK YOU SANTA
              • nugget_master20
                nugget_master20almost 4 years
                Its was awsome it was so sweet i almost cried😍🤩😍🤩
                • pinkissus
                  pinkissusalmost 4 years
                  this is so sweet and kind
                  • bunny_son
                    bunny_sonalmost 4 years
                    i love it so much
                    • coolkid77
                      coolkid77almost 4 years
                      so wholesome. i cried.