Elves and Secret Santas surprise travelers at airports

Flying can be really stressful this time of year, but many airports and airport vendors try to lighten things up with festive decorations, entertainment and special events.

At Philadelphia International Airport, for example, carolers are already making their rounds, Santa is making daily appearances, and “Secret Santas” are roving the terminals handing out free gifts to military personnel in uniform.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California has unveiled a “winter wonderland” featuring a forest of snow-covered Christmas trees and the area’s largest-ever gingerbread village.

During Pittsburgh International Airport’s Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 12, the non-flying public will be able to pass through security for a special shopping and dining event in the Airside Terminal.

And over the next two weeks HMSHost, a dining operator in many major airports, will be sending its team of holiday elves into five U.S. airports to surprise travelers with free gifts ranging from electronics, travel accessories, candy and holiday collectibles to Coca-Cola beverages and free nights at Four Points hotels.

“With the holiday travel season in full swing, we’re excited we are able to have our elves flown in to bring surprise gifts of gratitude and a magical holiday atmosphere to travelers,” HMSHost vice president of marketing Atousa Ghoreichi told Today in the Sky.

Look for the HMSHost Holiday Elves today at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and, between now and Dec. 18, at airports in Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando.

But don’t tell Santa I told you.

Harriet Baskas is a Seattle-based airports and aviation writer and Paste BN Travel's "At the Airport" columnist. She occasionally contributes to Ben Mutzabaugh's Today in the Sky blog. Follow her at twitter.com/hbaskas.