In the aftermath of Christmas, the meaning of the holiday season often seems to get lost in the wake of the rush of sales and preparations for the New Year.

But three incidents in the past week show the honesty and giving spirit inherent in Bermuda - even after Christmas Day itself has passed.

Mystery still surrounds the first incident, when the thoughtful deed of an anonymous Santa's helper ensured faith in Bermuda's Christmas Spirit for Kirk Kitson and his family.

Riding into town one day just before Christmas, a present labelled `To Mama from Kirkdale' blew out of Mr. Kitson's bike basket.

"I was quite devastated by the loss as my wife had taken a lot of trouble to buy the present," said Mr. Kitson. "I retraced my entire ride without success."

Mr. Kitson reported the loss to the Police Department, although without any hope of finding the gift.

"However, two days later, I received a call from friends to say they had heard on the radio that the package had been found and was at the reception desk of the Bank of Bermuda.

"That meant some honest soul had found it in the street and turned it into the bank, which then advertised the finding on the radio and also sent out e-mails to corporate customers about it."

When asked if his mother had liked the present - a cashmere sweater - Mr. Kitson replied: "She was delighted, she was thrilled.

"Three cheers to the Bank of Bermuda and also to the Good Samaritan who turned the package in. If this person should read this, please contact me as I would like to meet you and take you out to lunch."

Even if he never meets the mysterious do-gooder, says Mr. Kitson, he wants people to know about the incident.

"It will generate good will between people," he said, "which is appropriate for this time of year - especially seeing as there is all too much bad will out there in the world right now."

The second incident is as straightforward an example of Bermuda honesty as you can get.

On the evening of December 26, Boxing Day, Sandy's man Matthew Rech arrived home with distressing news for his parents - his wallet had been lost.

Although the family reported the incident to the bank and the Police, said Matthew's mother Betty, they believed that the effort to recover the wallet was "fruitless".

"However, on Saturday, December 28, on a blustery cold late afternoon, we had a surprise visit from two very honest, friendly and kind folks who had found my son's wallet," she said.

"The lady had found the wallet outside her gate, was so concerned and worried she went to the Somerset Pharmacy to enquire if they recognised Matthew's photo from his license. The lady at the Pharmacy knew Matthew and explained to the couple where we lived."

The Rechs had been surprised that the couple, Grace Resendes and Michael Ingham, had not taken the wallet straight to the Police station.

"But she said no, I wanted to make sure the wallet was returned by me personally.

"We want to say a huge thank you and we appreciate (their) honesty and going through the trouble to find out who Matthew was, "said the Rechs, who also wanted to thank the lady at Somerset Pharmacy.

"They make us realise there are still honest and caring people in this world."

The third incident is shrouded in mystery.

Police were called to a Spice Hill Road, Warwick property on Sunday afternoon after a resident discovered two gifts that did not belong to them.

The gifts appeared as though they belonged to children, and had the names `Annon' and `Rachal' on them.

Despite Christmas being over, Police and the resident of the Warwick home are anxious to deliver the gifts to Annon and Rachal. They are asking for anyone with any information which may be helpful to please contact P.c. Eddie Smith at the Somerset Police Station on 234-1010.