T'was the night before Christmas...

"Santa" can still come...

My mum is big on Xmas. Loves giving and receiving gifts. She even buys herself some - often when she makes impulse buys saying "so and so would like this", she likes to wrap them up for Xmas - probably compensating for her childhood a bit.

I usually get my folks tickets to a show (Lion king, Wicked, Walking with Dinosaurs etc) and pre-show dinner etc, they usually get me a couple of DVD's and books. With only 3 of us, present time would be over in minutes, so we always make sure there are a few small things in there from "Santa" - they are not the main present like they were when I was a kid, but all three of us get a few stocking-stuffer type gifts from "Santa" each. As well as presents from the animals.

One year I got the Hobbit for my birthday, then the Hobbit again from Mum and Dad and the Hobbit a third time from "Santa" - because Mum forgot what she bought - twice.

So even though the belief in "Santa" may no longer be there, it is still a bit of fun and helps to draw out the xmas cheer.

Oh yes, the night before Christmas, it is so beautiful.

Well, I guess this is getting close to playing my last Santa, my 10year old is now asking questions. It is going to be a sad thought of not having to go and place the pressies under the tree anymore while she is asleep (sniff, sniff). She was asking me yesterday if I believed in Santa and before I could answer, something else popped up and it wasn't talked about again. That got me out of that one.

Hope everyone has been good for tonight.

Love to all.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"


HEY! SANTA WILL BE COMING SOON!!!!!



Love and a 'Joyeaux Noel' to all sleevers and their families!