"He sees you when you're sleeping ... he knows when you're awake ... he knows if you've been bad or good ... so be good for goodness sake!"
That popular holiday song is talking about Santa Claus, of course!
Each year ... about this time ... I start thinking about how I can help Santa out. That's right. It's a family secret that I "work" for the jolly ole elf. I am one of Santa's original "letter writers".
For over 20 years, I have been penning clever little notes to children of all ages .... reminding them of the accomplishments of the past year ... and at times, reminders of the popular fads & trends as well. Each letter shares tidbits of the milestones or unique experieneces of the seasons just past ... as well as a promise that if good behavior prevails ... something special will be waiting under the tree!
I started the tradition when my daughters were very small. It has been fun ... every single year ... to see the awe & wonder on their faces when the mail arrives with a REAL letter ... with a stamp and a postmark from the North Pole ... and loving words from Santa Claus.
When Abbi was in middle school, she caught on.
In her precocious style, she confronted me with the TRUTH about "those Santa letters". An elaborate explanation of Santa's workforce followed along with the promise to "show" her the paycheck from Santa when it arrived. That cute little check ... so carefully crafted by a friend at the bank ... is part of collage of our Outer Banks years hanging in my kitchen.
I have told the story of Abbi and the paycheck from Santa several times over this past weekend. I was participating in a Holiday Sale where I was introducing new families to a unique holiday tradition --- a personal letter from Santa.
Each letter is as special as the child that receives it. Loved ones share the stories & memories and they are woven into the fabric of the letter. No two are alike ... just like no two children are alike.
Over the years, many families have collected the letters. Saving them in scrapbooks or maybe in a bundle to be read and re-read each year as the children become adults. Together, the letters become short chapters ... reminders of where your children came from as they travel down the road to where they are going!
Grown-ups like the letters, too.
There was a loving man in North Carolina who sent a letter to Santa to his wife ... faithfully ... every year for 15 years. They were middle-aged when he began the tradition. They had no children of their own ... only each other. Each year he shared little stories of their life together ... and Santa always smiled at the love that was found in their home. Last year, I received a letter from this kind man telling me that his beautiful wife would be spending Christmas in heaven from now on. He shared with me the story of the year just past ... of her strength and courage ... of his broken heart ... and how those letters each year had become a special expression of love between him & his beloved.
I had no idea ... that something so fun & whimsical to me ... could have such an impact in someone else's life!
Even though Abbi & Jessi are grown now ... they still look forward to their annual letters. It's one more way that I tell them that I love them ... year-after-year ... the little girls who are now amazing young women!
If you want to add a little magic to some special child's Christmas this year ... why not send them a personal letter from Santa! Click on the tab on this page and fill out the simple form. Or SantaWritesLetters
It only takes a few minutes ... and it's not very expensive.
Oohs... aahs ... wonder ... smiles - priceless!
http://www.dynamicpossibilities.blogspot.com/
(c) November, 2010
MaryJane - just a note to tell you I have every copy of every Santa letter you sent to Samantha. They were the highlight of Christmas when she was a little girl and are part of our family Christmas tradition. Thank you!!!
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