How We Keep the Santa Magic Alive

Our daughters are now 13 and 20, but neither one has ever asked us if we are Santa Claus. From the time they were very young, we tried to do magical things to keep the spirit of St. Nick alive.

We always told our girls that Santa Claus brings some of the Christmas presents UNTIL you stop believing in him and then the parents have to bring the presents. That is why some homes have parents bringing the gifts instead of Santa Claus! And when you stop believing, you get underwear (This was told to us by the REAL Santa).

Santa always wraps his presents in paper that mom and dad don't have in the basement. Santa always tracks in snow in and around the fireplace leading to the Christmas tree (baking soda and dad's boots). Daddy always grumbles about the mess the "old man" made! The girls love this and it is always good for the giggles!

Santa always eats some of the cookie and milk we left out and the carrots were always gnawed. He leaves some crumbs scattered around the plate (which Mom would never allow).

Santa often left other indicators that he was at our home. He papered over the door leading into the tree, left sleigh tracks in the front lawn when there was snow one Christmas Eve, writes a note, tapes a crepe paper "web" over the bedroom door so the kids have to "break through" before they can get out of their room, and once he even left his hat behind (we left it out the next year and he left a thank you note).

The Christmas elf also visits our home beginning on the 13th and leaves a small token each of the 12 days of Christmas to help with the suspense leading up to the big day (once he left us tickets to see a play and he always leaves new pjs on the morning of Christmas eve). He also always leaves thank you notes and a new Christmas ornament (theme specific to something meaningful that year) one of the days.

He leaves other items like candy treats, socks, and now that the girls are older, makeup, gift certificates, etc. I stock up on these kinds of things right after Christmas at the sales and throughout the year.

We invite the Christmas elf to come when we have finished decorating the Christmas tree by turning off all the lights except the tree and chant Shimbaree-Shimbarah (left over from when our oldest loved Barney!)

We always make sure the girls know the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus, by continuing to regularly attend our worship and other church events, we give generously to those in need, support our Angel tree and ring the Salvation Army bell once during the season. We attend other holiday events which keep our focus on the "real' meaning of Christmas - not just Santa Claus and receiving gifts.

Merry Christmas to all!

By Diana from Prospect, KY