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"Holdout Gifts" Greetings! Over the years Santa has emphasized that Christmas should be a magical time for children from two points of view. The first is that we are reliving a tremendously important religious experience - the greatest selfless gift of love the word has ever known. The second is that by giving gifts secretly, motivated by love, we are setting an example, which can help children grow into loving, caring, generous human beings - something the world needs desperately. Anything we can do to enhance Christmas from both viewpoints should be a priority. I asked Santa if he had any suggestions. He was quick to respond ---------------------------0------------------------- During the depression years I became acutely aware of that sinking feeling a child can have when they realize they have just opened the last Christmas gift. That’s it. It’s all over. They don’t think about next year. It was for this reason Mrs. Claus and I decided to do what we could to eliminate this potential "downer." Now, on Christmas Eve, when all the gifts have been assembled for placement under, or more aptly near our tree, we set up a series of shopping bags and place one gift for each person who will be present Christmas day in each of the bags. If seven people are home for Christmas each bag will hold seven presents. These are set aside along with presents for those expected to drop in plus a number of generic presents that would be suitable for any unexpected guests. Periodically, in the course of Christmas day, a bag of gifts will magically appear. One of the grandchildren might be sent on a minor errand and find the bag while enroute. Or there might be a telephone call from one of the elves saying that there had been a mishap, a bag had fallen out of the sleigh and landed behind a bush in the back yard. When the finder carries it in they are asked to distribute the gifts and – surprise, surprise - there will be a present for everyone. As you can well imagine it’s exciting. The contents of the last bag are handled a bit differently. They are hidden in everyone’s bed. That way the last act of Christmas day is to open just one more gift. The logistics can be a little difficult and once in a while you run into a snag. One year a six-year-old grandson caught Santa in the act. A cover story was quickly devised. The child agreed to help and was sworn to secrecy. When the gifts had been distributed and the excitement began to subside little Andrew herded his Santa aside and said, "Paw Paw, want to do it again?" He had no concept of how much effort went into creating "magic" but he fully understood the pleasure derived from selfless giving. --------------------------0--------------------- As Santa took off he said he would offer another suggestion next month. I’ll pass it on. Merry Christmas! Santa’s Friend
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