Was Santa good to you?

[JCT777]

My wife and I have had a deal for a while now in which we don't spend money on each other for Christmas or birthdays - with the exception of maybe a greeting card (due to limited finances). So all of our presents were from our family and a few close friends. We got a set of large cooking pots that we desperately needed, some very nice Christmas ornaments and also an electronic dartboard. And what we needed most of all - money! So I would have to say that "Santa" did great.

[azskyman]

I remember as the kids were growing up together, Santa had to make sure he brought the same NUMBER of gifts for each. If one got seven, then the other got seven. And, for the most part, Santa made sure he spent about the same out of his frosty little paycheck on each as well. He didn't have a Visa card with air miles back then (Rudolph could retire if Santa decided to use his air miles for Christmas!)

Now in our 50's and grandparents, Kathy and I gave each other two nice gifts and of course a card that confirmed we indeed must be getting older...but better with each passing Christmas. We were remembering that the first time we exchanged gifts was some 37 years ago...and we even remember how carefully we wrapped them! This year, I had a hard time remembering what we got anyone!

Santa did a nice job for Emma this year...not spoiling her with oodles of toys, but a few nice things. Granny and Poppysky gave her a Radio Flyer...of course they have seat belts these days. Have a picture of her in her red wagon if anyone would care to see it. Just let me know via PM or e-mail and I'll send it your way.

It was good to see Santa again this year. Last year he skipped over our house because our son and his wife were in serious marital trouble....and Emma was in Chicago.

Thought it was a great gesture that Emma's dad decorated 24 cookies this year. 23 were of Santas and wreathes and snowmen. One was all white with a sad face and blue buttons (I thought they looked like tears)

"What's that," I asked?

"This cookie is the ghost of Christmas past...last Christmas, in fact."

We then broke him into pieces, each gobbled up his body parts, and then had a toast to Christmas future.

The wine, the fire, and taking care of that ghost made for an extra nice Christmas eve dinner this year. Santa is alive and stopped in San Diego.

...and we were happy that he did.

PS...my own favorite gift. From Emma. A talking tree ornament. Press the top and it says, in her recorded voice, "Papa."