It’s all hustle and bustle as we’re getting ready for the holidays. At work, we’ve had our annual Christmas party. There’s even a holiday decorating contest between the departments. We’re all eagerly awaiting our bonuses.
At home, we’ve gone to the tree lighting here in town and put up a few decorations around the house. We took a walk around the neighborhood to see the houses all lit up. We’ve been planning our holiday menu, and soon I’ll begin my cookie baking.
I wanted to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. Soon you’ll be opening gifts from family and friends, and even Santa might slip a little something under your tree. I wanted to give you all a little something for the holidays. Your gift this year is this fun little Christmas story I’ve written. I hope you enjoy it.
🎁UNWRAP the STORY🎁
🎄🎅🤶🎄
When Santa’s in Town
The colorful lights twinkled and sparkled against the white backdrop. The snow had been falling for days. It was the light and fluffy kind that piled up high but didn’t ice up the roadways.
The windows of the little shops along Main Street were decorated for the holidays. Shoppers ran to and fro searching for the perfect gifts. Excitement danced through the air.
Strollers were parked along the sidewalk. Parents chatted quietly while holding tightly to their children’s hands. Toddlers tugged trying to yank free. Somewhere in the line, a baby started crying.
Santa was seated on a beautiful oak chair with green velvet cushions. His red velvet suit was antique enough to have belonged to the real Saint Nick. His full white beard hung nearly to his belly and appeared to be real. His ample belly shook when he laughed just like in the old storybooks.
There was a tree perfectly off-center behind Santa’s right shoulder. It was strung with garland and lights. Ornaments made by local elementary students hung from its branches. There were empty boxes wrapped in bright, colorful paper and tied with shiny ribbons underneath.
Children who were free from a parent’s controlling grip ran wild, weaving in and out of the crowd. They giggled and shouted. They ignored their parents who called them back to order amid empty threats of not seeing Santa if they didn’t get back in line.
“Peter?” someone called. “Peter? Get over here, Peter. It’s almost your turn.”
“Charlotte?” another shouted. “Where are you, girl? You’re gonna miss you’re only chance to talk to Santa this year. Charlotte? Are ya hearing me, girl?”
“I’m here, Mommy.”
A little girl with a pony tail came bounding up. She pushed her way through the crowd. Right behind her was a freckle-faced boy with a flushed face. He walked passed the girl and her mother and took his place beside his father and younger brother.
The line moved forward again. Another person shouted for their child, and another child popped up out of nowhere and returned to their guardian’s side. Siblings shoved and pushed each other.
“Momma and Daddy said you ain’t gettin nuthin but coal fer Christmas cuz yer always so bad.”
“Nuh uh. Santa knows I been tryin real hard this year. He’s gonna gimme sumthin. Just you wait n see.”
Push. Shove. Punch. Their mother grabbed them each by an ear.
“Maybe I’ll just tell Santa to skip our house this year.”
“You wouldn’t!” gasped one brother.
“You can’t do that!” The other brother was certain.
“I can and I will if you don’t stand here quietly and keep your hands to yourself.”
They stuffed their hands in their pockets and stood like perfect gentlemen. The line moved forward again. Another baby cried. Another parent shouted.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa greeted another child. “And who do we have here?”
The child was a girl of about two. She wore a red and green plaid smock dress over a white blouse. Plaid ribbons secured her dark hair in piggy tails that hung in little curly cues. She had on patent leather shoes.
Her face scrunched up and turned an angry shade of red. She let out a wail so loud that a hush fell over the crowd as everyone turned to look. She clung to her aunt’s hand and tried to duck behind her.
“It’s okay, Sweety.” Her aunt reassured her. “We just wanted to get a picture of you with Santa to give to Grammy.”
The girl cried louder. Her aunt apologized over and over again as she took the candy cane from the elf. She picked up her niece and swung her around to settle onto a hip.
The girl sniffled and laid her head on her shoulder. The long wait had tired her out. She was snoring before the next kid climbed into Santa’s lap.
The line moved along steadily. Kids shared their wish lists with Santa. Some shouted loudly while others whispered quietly into his ear. Parents snapped pictures, and a photographer offered professional shots for ten dollars a piece.
“It’s time for Cocoa and Cookies with Santa,” the elf announced as she put up the velvet rope. “Mrs. Claus and the elves have been hard at work baking and decorating the auditorium. Santa hopes to see all of you there.”
Tables lined the auditorium in neat rows. The seats were packed. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were seated up front facing the crowd.
Volunteers dressed as elves served hot cocoa and plates of cookies to everyone. Children chattered on excitedly about their visit with Santa and all the presents he’d promised to bring them. Parents leaned back in their chairs, exhausted. Grandparents smiled contentedly as they watched over their families.
A Christmas story to read with the family
We’ve Seen Santa is a colorfully illustrated Christmas book. This rhyming story of a couple of siblings trying to catch Santa will delight and entertain the whole family.
Order We’ve Seen Santa
ShldBWriting 