“Three phrases that sum up Christmas are:

Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to Men,
and
Batteries not Included.”

– Author Unknown

Christmas is a magical time and, growing up, as far as I was concerned, Santa Claus was a magician. How else to explain the way he managed to carry a two-wheeled bicycle with training wheels or a half-dozen Suzy Homemaker appliances in his sack – let alone down the chimney!

I now know he had help…from the hundreds of thousands of elves and surrogate Santas around the world. These assistants carried out his orders to make sure all his gifts arrived in the right houses in the right times and in perfect working order.

Of course, Christmas is not all about the gifts, and presents aren’t the only things given, shared, or enjoyed on Christmas Day. But when you’re five or six years old and it’s Christmas morning, sometimes all you can think about is running into the living room to see what Santa had left under the tree.

And okay, sometimes perfection was unattainable or Santa had to send a raincheck. But that didn’t make Christmas any less magical. It just prolonged the pleasure of the holiday – or at least, made that year a little more memorable.

I hope you have many memorable moments this holiday season!

All my best,

Barbara