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Inside the Paley Center's Holiday Tradition: A Warm Tradition in Manhattan

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, December 6th 2025 at 15:33 GMT by ABC 7 New York

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Inside the Paley Center’s Holiday Tradition: A Warm Tradition in Manhattan

At 52 Broadway in the heart of Manhattan, the Paley Center for Media has long been a guardian of television and radio history. In its historic lobby, the echoes of classic shows still resonate, and every holiday season, a different tradition adds a new layer to that enduring legacy. The Paley Center’s annual holiday tradition—a heartfelt gift‑exchange and community celebration—offers a glimpse into the heart of a place that has witnessed the rise of the modern media landscape.

A Legacy of Preservation and Celebration

Founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, the legendary CBS president, the Paley Center grew from a modest collection of radio tapes into an internationally recognized museum and research institute. Its mission is “to preserve and interpret the history of television, radio, and the arts, while educating a new generation about the impact of media on society.” The Center’s collections span more than 4 million items, ranging from rare kinescopes to contemporary podcasts.

While the Paley Center is most famous for its archival work, it has also become a hub for community events. Each year, during the holiday season, the staff and volunteers gather to honor the spirit of generosity that William Paley’s legacy was built upon. The tradition is simple yet meaningful: a secret‑Santa style gift exchange combined with a “give‑back” program that donates a portion of the gifts to local non‑profits that focus on media literacy and arts education.

The Gift Exchange: A Secret‑Santa with a Twist

The Paley Center’s holiday tradition began in 2009 as a small, informal gathering of employees who wanted to spread some cheer. Since then, it has grown into a highlight of the year for the entire organization. On the evening of the event, staff and volunteers meet in the Paley Center’s main auditorium. Each participant receives a name, and the group quietly gathers their gifts in a large crate on stage.

During the exchange, the atmosphere is intimate yet vibrant. The event is led by the Center’s Executive Director, who offers a brief reflection on how media can bring people together. After each gift is given, the recipient reveals the donor’s name—this “unwrapping” process is accompanied by a live recording of a classic Paley Center audio clip, linking the present moment to the past. As gifts are passed, the room fills with laughter, nostalgia, and a sense of shared history.

The Paley Center’s secret‑Santa is not just about exchanging items. Each gift is accompanied by a small card where the giver writes a personal note about why they chose that particular item. This tradition turns the event into a living archive of personal stories, each one echoing the Center’s broader mission of storytelling.

Giving Back: Media Literacy and the Arts

Beyond the joy of gift‑giving, the Paley Center uses the holiday tradition to amplify its commitment to media literacy. A portion of the gifts is earmarked for donation to local charities that run media‑education programs. The Center’s “Give the Gift” program partners with organizations such as the New York Public Library’s Media Center and the City of New York’s Youth Media Lab.

In a recent interview with the Paley Center’s Communications Manager, she explained, “We want to use our platform not just to preserve media history, but to inspire future generations. The holiday gift exchange is a perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of media literacy in a tangible way.” The donation portion is announced during the event, and a video of the recipients sharing their stories is posted on the Paley Center’s website, encouraging viewers to learn more about media’s role in shaping communities.

A Glimpse into the Paley Center’s Holiday Space

The Paley Center’s event space is a blend of modern and classic design. The walls feature framed stills from iconic shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and Sesame Street, while the stage is set with a modest Christmas tree—its ornaments fashioned from vintage television sets and radio microphones. The centerpiece is an interactive “Timeline of Media” that guests can walk through, showcasing milestones from the first radio broadcast to the rise of streaming services.

The event is filmed and livestreamed for Paley Center members who cannot attend in person. The Paley Center’s website hosts a video archive of past holiday celebrations, allowing future generations to see how this tradition has evolved. The Paley Center’s official site, found at paleycenter.org, offers detailed information on the Center’s collections, educational programs, and the holiday tradition’s history.

The Cultural Impact of a Simple Tradition

While a secret‑Santa exchange might seem modest compared to the Paley Center’s monumental collections, the holiday tradition embodies the institution’s core values. It demonstrates how media—whether a whispered story or a full‑blown broadcast—can bring people together in meaningful ways. The tradition is an intimate reminder that media is not only a record of the past but also a vehicle for communal generosity.

The Paley Center’s holiday tradition highlights a recurring theme in William Paley’s own career: the belief that media has the power to influence society positively. By combining personal gifting with charitable giving, the Paley Center keeps this belief alive in a tangible, joyous ceremony that resonates with both staff and the wider community.

Looking Forward

As the Paley Center prepares for its next holiday celebration, anticipation is already building. The Center has announced plans to expand its “Give the Gift” program to include a scholarship fund for students pursuing media studies, thereby ensuring that the tradition will continue to impact the future of media literacy.

In the warm glow of the Paley Center’s Christmas tree, amid the hum of holiday music and the soft chatter of staff, the tradition stands as a testament to the power of storytelling. It reminds us that in a world saturated with information, the simplest gestures—such as giving a thoughtful gift—can create ripples of connection that echo through time, much like the shows that the Paley Center has safeguarded for over half a century.