Act of Christmas kindness in Melbourne as woman pays off gifts for strangers

An anonymous woman has spread some Christmas cheer in a selfless act of kindness by paying off all purchases owing at a Melbourne toy store.

The secret Santa phoned Toyworld in Pakenham this morning and offered to pay off all lay-bys.

Owner Sandra said the mystery Christmas angel told staff she'd like to pay for all outstanding lay-bys outright, and that she wanted to help the community.

"I've had two people in already to collect their lay-bys and they're blown away to think somebody else has paid their lay-bys off, Sandra said.

One grateful recipient of the generous offer was almost speechless from the gesture.

"To do it anonymously and all that generosity .... it's helped us a lot, I'm sure it's helped heaps of families.

"I don't really have words for it. "

Sandra said the gesture had her overcome with emotion.

"I was sort of crying ... I couldn't believe it was something happening for real.

"For someone to do that and pay everybody's lay-by off like that is just amazing."

The kind act was made up of more than 60 lay-by purchases, worth a total of about $8000.

Sandra said similar acts have happened around the country over the past few weeks.

It is not the first time a 'Secret Santa' has done this in recent weeks, with a Queensland Toyworld receiving the same treatment earlier this month.