12/25/17, “Twas the Night before Christmas…”
“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were all hung by the chimney with care…..”
As I write this, it is 3 am on Christmas eve, and not a creature is stirring, not even my 3 Chihuahuas, who are snoring softly, waiting for me to come to bed. I just finished filling the Christmas stockings of my many children and their significant others, and writing them all letters from Santa, which I’ve done since they were children and still do—-congratulating them for what good people they are, and what they’ve done well all year. (Santa is very pleased with them!! And me too).
Our Christmas is all about traditions. We go to a church service at 5 pm, which is how our Christmas eve begins. It’s a children’s service, which they still enjoy, where we went every year in their childhood, and all the familiar Christmas carols are sung. Then we come home, hang out for a while, and dress for dinner. We have a formal dinner, with the table set nicely, and a good meal. Afterwards, we play a game, and after dinner the siblings exchange gifts. I give them mine the next morning (which was when they used to open the presents from Santa). We enjoy our rituals and familiar customs, and it’s a joy to spend it with my kids. I’m very grateful that they all come home for Christmas. And one of my daughters turns the tables on me every year, and fills a stocking for me and leaves it on my bed, which I open with delight before I go to bed: This year, two beautiful embroidered handkerchiefs, two little porcelain dishes with sayings I love on them: one of them says “The best is yet to be”, and 2 books I can’t wait to read, some cookies, chocolates and chocolate covered pretzels—-and a letter from Santa to me, urging me to be ‘naughtier’ next year!!! Now there’s a fun invitation!!!
And at the end of it all, before I go to bed, I am writing to you. I hope that your Christmas is unfolding gently and lovingly, that it met your expectations and fulfilled your hopes and dreams. Above all, I hope it was peaceful and that you shared it with people you love, and weren’t alone. You are in my thoughts, and I wish you again a very, very happy Christmas. And in the chaos of Christmas tomorrow, I will be thinking of you too. I hope it is a wonderful day!!!
Merry Christmas!! love, Danielle
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Such sweet message from you, Danielle, thank you! Not everyone is lucky to have a big family near (or any family) and it’s nice to share a heartwarming moment 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Danielle! Wishing you all good things in 2018, and my sister and I thank you for the many happy hours of reading this year. Cheers! `Pam
Hi Danielle,
I hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas and that you have a happy holiday season, and a New Year’s filled with joy. And I admire your energy! If I were up writing letters from Santa and blogging at 3:00 a.m., I wouldn’t be able to function on Christmas Day.
Best wishes for 2018,
Elaine
Today is 12/31/2017..Its my wife’s birthday… of all the things we could have done and gone today she wanted to stay home, in our warm cozy house and watch your movies/books at home with all her kids. Not one of them are on their cell phones, not one of them is on twitter (except for me, b/c im looking for one of your other books/movies) but we are glued to your creativity on the screen. the kids are raised with CGI and special effects technology advances. Never have I seen them so glued to your shows. Thank you for your imagination.. Thank you for bringing us together . They are 22/14/9 (our kids) we may never get this opportunity again.