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"The Magic in Traditions!"
Only 11 days left until Christmas! But only 10 days left for shopping, cooking, baking, decorating & wrapping… And then…the BIG GUY comes…
Santa is a staple at our home. My husband, Ted, has a soft spot in his heart for the jolly guy. But then who doesn’t? How can you not love the magic that Santa brings to the Christmas holiday.
Being one of Santa’s helpers is a family tradition that has been passed down on my husband’s side from his dad. Every year Santa shines up his boots and buckle, combs out his beard, stuffs himself into his bright red suit, fills his bag with toys and candy, and shows up at our home to the delight of all!
This is how the tradition goes…
We have an annual Christmas Eve party where we invite family and friends to come and spend the evening enjoying food, laughter, and a little “Christmas cheer”! The parties have become legendary, as all the children know that Santa takes time, out of his busy schedule of delivering toys, to stop by and wish us a Merry Christmas that evening!
When guests arrive at the party I am already in my Mrs. Santa outfit. The kids expect it and think it is pretty cool that I have a hotline to Santa! They ask me a million and one times, “when is Santa going to be here?” My husband just goes about fixing cocktails and entertaining our guest, secretly aware that the time is quickly approaching when he will have to make his exit.
Santa usually makes his way to our home around 6:30 PM. And all the kids know it!
They peer out the window non-stop waiting for his arrival.
Then shortly after 6:00 PM, while everyone is making merry and the kids are distracted, my husband and I sneak downstairs where our garage has been turned into a Santa makeover room.
And there we begin the process of transforming my husband into the brightest, friendliest, bigger than life Santa you have ever seen!
His costume is amazing! I remember when he had decided to take on the tradition he said he wanted to buy the best costume he could find so it would last and look like the real Santa should. The suite is a deep red, thick, velvet fabric that makes my husband look about 50 lbs. heavier. By the time he gets on the boots, beard, hair and hat, he also looks about a foot taller.
Once the gloves are on his hands, and the little round spectacles are positioned at the end of his nose, my husband’s makeover is complete.
I look at him in awe and have to admit, he really does look like the real Santa!
Once the transformation is through, “Santa” sneaks outside, goes around the side of the neighbor’s driveway and prepares to make his approach.
Meanwhile I go back upstairs to the party and loudly announce, “Hey kids, I think I heard Santa’s sleigh. I can hear the bells jingling”!
The kids all scream with delight!
I then ask everyone to quiet down to see if we can hear him, which is a lot to ask of 10 sugar infused children and 30+ frolicking adults.
Everyone is “shushing” each other hoping to hear Santa’s bells, while the kids scurry to the living room window to catch a glimpse of him.
Sure enough, we hear his jingle bells and the excitement mounts!
Then from the window, he is spotted!
Up the driveway Santa comes as the kids rush downstairs and outside to greet him on the front porch.
Santa belly laughs, rings his bell, and in his Norwegian accent bellows out, “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!”
The kids are ecstatic with wonder and amazement. The adults are beaming with enjoyment, (even though they know who’s in the big red suite.)
And for a few minutes, time stands still as everyone becomes a child again.
To the kids delight Santa comes upstairs. He has a few minutes to spend with us before heading out to deliver more toys.
We have a seat in front of the tree ready, and Santa sits down and begins to talk.
He tells the group of his adventures so far that night and some of the places he has been.
As the kids listen intently, Santa asks if we would like to hear him read his favorite story…”The Night Before Christmas”.
The kids quickly shuffle to a place on the floor at Santa’s feet as he pulls the big picture book out of his toy sack and begins the tale… “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
And with those words everyone is captivated as the familiar story is read.
As Santa reads he shows the children pictures with every turn of the page, of magical reindeer and snowflake filled skies.
The story ends, Santa closes the book, and everyone is in anticipation of what’s next.
He then says, “Who’s going to sit on Santa’s lap first”, and begins to call the children by name.
One by one, typically starting with the youngest first, the children take turns sitting on his lap, receiving Santa’s undivided attention.
Santa asks them what they want for Christmas, and if they have been good? “Only good boys and girls receive presents at Christmas.”
Every one of the children exclaims they have been good, (to the surprise of their parents.)
Santa tells them he will do his best to get what they want, but that they need to continue to be good, mind their parents, and be a good helper all year long.
He then pulls out of his sack a toy and a candy cane, and gives it to the child.
Several pictures are snapped and then it’s the next child’s turn.
The scene is truly magical!
When all the children, both young and old, have had their time with Santa, and all of the pictures have been taken and toys given out, Santa says he must be on his way, but he will be back next year.
Everyone follows him to the door, and once again while ringing his bell, he bellows out, “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” And away Santa goes…gone for another year.
But the magic that Santa brought doesn’t go! It stays, as the kids bustle around, reminiscing in wonderment about the visitor they just had. Adults and children alike are enchanted and blessed by the whole event.
Within a few minutes my husband sneaks back up to the party, dressed once again in his “ugly” Christmas sweater, chattering right along with the kids on what an anomaly it is that Santa would make a special visit to see them. With all the commotion his lack of being present during Santa’s visit goes undetected.
The party festivities then resume; everyone having just a little more spring in their step and twinkle in their eye.
And that is how every Christmas Eve goes at the Bakke house...
Aren’t Christmas traditions wonderful?!
They give us that sense of stability, familiarity, and belonging. They provide cherished moments for future generations to embrace, and remembrances to hold onto long after our loved ones have passed away.
They bring friends and family together for one night a year, making memories that last a lifetime.
Santa’s annual Christmas Eve visit is a tradition that my husband carried on after his dad passed away several years ago. My husband loves being Santa and learned “his craft” from his Dad, who was Santa for our kids when they were young.
This year as we put a Christmas Tree on my father-in-law’s grave at the cemetery, as we do every year, we will stand there for a few minutes and recall how the holidays used to be when he was with us, and how he delighted in being Santa as much as my husband does. The memory of him is still so vivid, as if it were yesterday.
I am thankful that my father-in-law made such an impression on my husband. And now, almost 20 years since his passing, my husband continues the tradition of Santa, year after year, making each Christmas Eve a magical experience for everyone.
I bought my husband a Christmas sign a few years ago.
It reads…
The four stages of life;
You believe in Santa
You don’t believe in Santa
You are Santa
You look like Santa!
I’m happy to be in the 3rd and 4th “stages of life” with my husband, keeping to traditions and making Christmas magic. And just maybe, after my husband and I are enjoying eternity in heaven, celebrating Christmas Eve with my father-in-law in the presence of the Lord; someone will pick up the red suit to carry on the tradition of making hearts merry and bright - reanimating the jolly old elf named Santa.
Santa is a staple at our home. My husband, Ted, has a soft spot in his heart for the jolly guy. But then who doesn’t? How can you not love the magic that Santa brings to the Christmas holiday.
Being one of Santa’s helpers is a family tradition that has been passed down on my husband’s side from his dad. Every year Santa shines up his boots and buckle, combs out his beard, stuffs himself into his bright red suit, fills his bag with toys and candy, and shows up at our home to the delight of all!
This is how the tradition goes…
We have an annual Christmas Eve party where we invite family and friends to come and spend the evening enjoying food, laughter, and a little “Christmas cheer”! The parties have become legendary, as all the children know that Santa takes time, out of his busy schedule of delivering toys, to stop by and wish us a Merry Christmas that evening!
When guests arrive at the party I am already in my Mrs. Santa outfit. The kids expect it and think it is pretty cool that I have a hotline to Santa! They ask me a million and one times, “when is Santa going to be here?” My husband just goes about fixing cocktails and entertaining our guest, secretly aware that the time is quickly approaching when he will have to make his exit.
Santa usually makes his way to our home around 6:30 PM. And all the kids know it!
They peer out the window non-stop waiting for his arrival.
Then shortly after 6:00 PM, while everyone is making merry and the kids are distracted, my husband and I sneak downstairs where our garage has been turned into a Santa makeover room.
And there we begin the process of transforming my husband into the brightest, friendliest, bigger than life Santa you have ever seen!
His costume is amazing! I remember when he had decided to take on the tradition he said he wanted to buy the best costume he could find so it would last and look like the real Santa should. The suite is a deep red, thick, velvet fabric that makes my husband look about 50 lbs. heavier. By the time he gets on the boots, beard, hair and hat, he also looks about a foot taller.
Once the gloves are on his hands, and the little round spectacles are positioned at the end of his nose, my husband’s makeover is complete.
I look at him in awe and have to admit, he really does look like the real Santa!
Once the transformation is through, “Santa” sneaks outside, goes around the side of the neighbor’s driveway and prepares to make his approach.
Meanwhile I go back upstairs to the party and loudly announce, “Hey kids, I think I heard Santa’s sleigh. I can hear the bells jingling”!
The kids all scream with delight!
I then ask everyone to quiet down to see if we can hear him, which is a lot to ask of 10 sugar infused children and 30+ frolicking adults.
Everyone is “shushing” each other hoping to hear Santa’s bells, while the kids scurry to the living room window to catch a glimpse of him.
Sure enough, we hear his jingle bells and the excitement mounts!
Then from the window, he is spotted!
Up the driveway Santa comes as the kids rush downstairs and outside to greet him on the front porch.
Santa belly laughs, rings his bell, and in his Norwegian accent bellows out, “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!”
The kids are ecstatic with wonder and amazement. The adults are beaming with enjoyment, (even though they know who’s in the big red suite.)
And for a few minutes, time stands still as everyone becomes a child again.
To the kids delight Santa comes upstairs. He has a few minutes to spend with us before heading out to deliver more toys.
We have a seat in front of the tree ready, and Santa sits down and begins to talk.
He tells the group of his adventures so far that night and some of the places he has been.
As the kids listen intently, Santa asks if we would like to hear him read his favorite story…”The Night Before Christmas”.
The kids quickly shuffle to a place on the floor at Santa’s feet as he pulls the big picture book out of his toy sack and begins the tale… “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
And with those words everyone is captivated as the familiar story is read.
As Santa reads he shows the children pictures with every turn of the page, of magical reindeer and snowflake filled skies.
The story ends, Santa closes the book, and everyone is in anticipation of what’s next.
He then says, “Who’s going to sit on Santa’s lap first”, and begins to call the children by name.
One by one, typically starting with the youngest first, the children take turns sitting on his lap, receiving Santa’s undivided attention.
Santa asks them what they want for Christmas, and if they have been good? “Only good boys and girls receive presents at Christmas.”
Every one of the children exclaims they have been good, (to the surprise of their parents.)
Santa tells them he will do his best to get what they want, but that they need to continue to be good, mind their parents, and be a good helper all year long.
He then pulls out of his sack a toy and a candy cane, and gives it to the child.
Several pictures are snapped and then it’s the next child’s turn.
The scene is truly magical!
When all the children, both young and old, have had their time with Santa, and all of the pictures have been taken and toys given out, Santa says he must be on his way, but he will be back next year.
Everyone follows him to the door, and once again while ringing his bell, he bellows out, “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” And away Santa goes…gone for another year.
But the magic that Santa brought doesn’t go! It stays, as the kids bustle around, reminiscing in wonderment about the visitor they just had. Adults and children alike are enchanted and blessed by the whole event.
Within a few minutes my husband sneaks back up to the party, dressed once again in his “ugly” Christmas sweater, chattering right along with the kids on what an anomaly it is that Santa would make a special visit to see them. With all the commotion his lack of being present during Santa’s visit goes undetected.
The party festivities then resume; everyone having just a little more spring in their step and twinkle in their eye.
And that is how every Christmas Eve goes at the Bakke house...
Aren’t Christmas traditions wonderful?!
They give us that sense of stability, familiarity, and belonging. They provide cherished moments for future generations to embrace, and remembrances to hold onto long after our loved ones have passed away.
They bring friends and family together for one night a year, making memories that last a lifetime.
Santa’s annual Christmas Eve visit is a tradition that my husband carried on after his dad passed away several years ago. My husband loves being Santa and learned “his craft” from his Dad, who was Santa for our kids when they were young.
This year as we put a Christmas Tree on my father-in-law’s grave at the cemetery, as we do every year, we will stand there for a few minutes and recall how the holidays used to be when he was with us, and how he delighted in being Santa as much as my husband does. The memory of him is still so vivid, as if it were yesterday.
I am thankful that my father-in-law made such an impression on my husband. And now, almost 20 years since his passing, my husband continues the tradition of Santa, year after year, making each Christmas Eve a magical experience for everyone.
I bought my husband a Christmas sign a few years ago.
It reads…
The four stages of life;
You believe in Santa
You don’t believe in Santa
You are Santa
You look like Santa!
I’m happy to be in the 3rd and 4th “stages of life” with my husband, keeping to traditions and making Christmas magic. And just maybe, after my husband and I are enjoying eternity in heaven, celebrating Christmas Eve with my father-in-law in the presence of the Lord; someone will pick up the red suit to carry on the tradition of making hearts merry and bright - reanimating the jolly old elf named Santa.
‘Up on the housetop reindeer paws. Out jumps good old Santa Claus. Down through the chimney with lots of toys. All for little ones Christmas joys!”
