$100K Win Thanks To Stocking Stuffer Lotto Ticket Gift

LAUREL, MD — A family tradition of gifting lottery tickets as stocking stuffers from a dad to his adult children ended up netting a Maryland woman $100,000.

Previously, their stocking stuffers were scratch-off tickets, but this year, their dad bought them Holiday Raffle tickets. The day after Christmas the woman packed her gifts, her raffle ticket, clothes and headed off to South Africa for a special trip.

Weeks after the winning numbers had been announced, the family members reminded each other to check their tickets. While her siblings had checked theirs, she hadn't yet. When she finally did, she couldn't believe her eyes.

“To my surprise, it read ‘winner,’” she told Maryland Lottery officials. “I thought it wasn’t real because it looked fake, I honestly thought it was a prank. But it was real. I was so happy.”

As for her $100,000 windfall, the winner said she has thoughtfully planned what she’ll do with every dollar. First, she will pay off her remaining student loans. Next, she intends to invest a substantial portion to build for her future. She also plans to set aside funds to help support her family should they ever need financial relief.

Looking ahead, she hopes her father continues the cherished Christmas tradition perhaps with another winning ticket tucked into her stocking. If not, she says she’ll continue to play when she “feels lucky.”