For the past five years, Steve Finnado has anonymously given monetary gifts to Third World countries at Christmas. His generosity has earned him the nickname 'Mr. Christmas," and he has every intention of keeping his identity secret. But when plucky reporter Susan Wooden appears in his living room, Steve knows the gig is finally up.

Susan demands to know his story, and Steve reluctantly agrees, knowing that if he does not give a true account of his life, his motivations will be misrepresented in the press. Beginning with his memories of his sixteenth birthday party at his grandparents'...