Santa’s Summer Home

Whenever my children see a department store Santa, they eye him up and down, check his beard for authenticity, listen carefully to his HoHoHo’s, then declare, “That’s not the real Santa.”
Because we know what the real Santa looks like:  he summers in our neighborhood.

During Santa’s off-season he can be found driving around our neighborhood and town in his convertible red Beetle.  He keeps his beard year round (of course) and wears red every day.  Every  single day.  At Halloween he and Mrs. Claus walk around the neighborhood and gently remind the kids that Christmas is around the corner and he’s watching them.

Santa is very aware that the neighborhood children know he’s there, and he doesn't disappoint.

We are also lucky that Santa takes time out of his busy holiday schedule to come home and visit with the kids who know him and love him best.  My friend Janet hosts this evening, and the line to see Santa extends out her front door, through her living room to the guest of honor, and out into the garage where  she has cookies and hot cocoa waiting for us.

Santa listens to everyone’s requests, accepts their letters, reminds them to be good little boys and girls, and hands out ornaments (handmade by Mrs. Claus) and candy canes.

Here’s our hostess, Janet, posing in front of the Big Guy.

Janet tells me that this year, Santa has a Caribbean cruise planned for January.  I think he deserves it, for sure.