Santa's Workshop

By Rebecca the Bookseller and Elf

Everyone has their own traditions. One of my favorites is the way I start the holiday season: Santa's Workshop. I'll bet that even if you don't know what I'm talking about first hand, you may have been the recipient of a classic Santa's Workshop gift.

Do you, for example, own a tape measure or tire pressure gage that has the word "Best" (as in Dad/Mom/Aunt/Uncle/Grandparent) on it? Have you ever received a set of matching earrings and necklace adorned with your 'real birthstone' or an angel? Do you have a tiny set of screwdrivers or make up brushes that came in a lovely plastic carrying case? Then you, my friend, may have already participated in Santa's Workshop.

Parochial schools are famous for these - although I know of some small public elementary schools that are still doing them, despite the War on Christmas (man, I miss Stephen Colbert, don't you?) - and don't start with me, I'm kidding about the WoC. So Santa's Workshop involves a bunch of parents setting up displays of inexpensive gifts, then helping the kids pick out their presents and finally wrapping them. It's a riot.

My favorites are the little ones who come in with $20 (you can buy a lot at Santa's Workshop for that) and a list of family members to buy for. The first thing they do is head straight for the pet toys. After they spend at least $10 on their dog or cat, they move on to the rest of the family. I am not kidding here. We consistently have to restock the pet gifts before anything else, including this year's very popular deer coasters with realistic antler holder.

As the kids get older, their priorities change. The 8th graders do very little real shopping. Instead, they play with the "Greatest Grandpa Ever" tape measures, or open the little velvet jewelry boxes and exclaim: "He went to Jared!" then laugh hysterically. They do buy the small footballs, which are nearly always confiscated when they start throwing them around the cafeteria. Thats' s a no-no. Last year, we had to put away these long pencils with gelatinous bugs attached to the end because the kids figured out how to stick them on themselves in various places, then when they tried to get them off, there was some skin loss. Kind of like the tongue on the flagpole trick, except without the extreme temperatures. Good, good times.

But it's the 2nd- 4th graders who are the absolute best. They are so careful and ernest about their shopping. They have their lists, and their gift tags, and they compare gift choices as if they are the most important things in the world. Which, they are. Which is why it's so great. Sure, you'll have a kid here or there who picks out the biggest thing for himself first ("Mom said if I have money left over, I can get something, so I'm just saving time.") That's the exception, though. When a kid picks out a ring that says "Mom" on a heart and it has a diamond accent, it's like helping them pick out a tiara at Cartier. The thing is absolutely beautiful.

And we all wear our fine jewelry proudly. In fact, some Moms will wear it the next day. I saw little Enrico's parents in the parking lot the morning after his class did their shopping and assured them that they were getting some wonderful gifts. They both grinned and said "We know. He couldn't wait and we had to open them last night." Then Dad showed me his "World's Greatest Dad" keychain and Mom showed off her new angel necklace - "It even has my birthstone!", and Enrico was beaming like he was the luckiest kid in the world.

So when the commercial side of the holidays gets to me, and I'm totally stressed out because there are a zillion things to do, and I think if I hear one more version of the dogs singing Jingle Bells, I may take the bridge, I think of my little shoppers and their fabulous presents. It always makes me smile.

Either that, or I get out some aggression throwing snowballs at other elves: Elf Snowball Fight

If you'd like to make somebody smile, you can send a card to a recovering soldier. I've gotten several e-mails telling people to send cards to "Any Recovering Soldier" at Walter Reed hospital. But I've also gotten e-mails saying that due to security concerns, anything not specifically addressed won't be delivered. Unfortunately, the latter is true. This was so troubling to so many people that last week, the Red Cross came up with a solution. If you mail your cards and greetings here:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 149
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Then volunteers at the Red Cross will sort them for shipping to various military hospitals. You need to mail everything so it arrives by December 27th. For more information, check out this link: Walter Reed Information on Sending Cards

We all support our troops - regardless of how we feel about the War or the people who got us there, or keep us there. These men and women are doing their jobs, just like the rest of us, except they are getting shot at. Which means thousands of them come home wounded, many times permanently. As anyone who has been in the hospital knows, it's a bad enough place to be on a good day, but to be there over the holidays is even worse. Taking a minute to send a card is easy, and it can really make a difference.

If you have another way of sharing a smile - or something bigger - during this season of giving, please share it with us. We all have our own charities and causes to support, but are always open to new suggestions.

And here is something to make you smile while you're reading the comments: Santa's Singing Reindeer

Comments

[Laura (in PA)]

Oh! I have some!

My daughter went to Catholic school for Kindergarten and First Grade (then we moved), and she started college this year. I still drink out of my "My Mother Is Special" mug, and although I no longer wear it, I still have my (very) gold necklace with "Mom" and a large red stone hanging in my jewelry box.

I loved how she was SO proud when she gave those presents.

Awesome. Thanks, Rebecca. :)

[Nancy Martin]

I also love the I (heart) Mom jewelry! And tote bags! Mugs! Coasters! Mouse pads!

My husband received a construction paper Bluebird of Happiness on a string, which hung on his bedside lamp for a decade. It finally began to look a little worn, so he put it into the drawer of the bedside table. We get out out now & then to admire.

I also have a collection of baby teeth, so we're total dweebs around here.

[ramona]

I have a collection of baby teeth, too, plus all of the notes the Tooth Fairy wrote. They're in our safety deposit box, along with my son's letter from J. K. Rowling.

I tried that Snowball fight game. Man, do I suck. Here's something that is less competitive:

http://ecard.ashland.edu/index.php?ecardYear=2004adm

[Me, Margie]

Hi. It's me, Margie.

I have a whole shelf of "Best Aunt" stuff. It's all out where I can see it - love it! Thank heaven for my cousin Rocco, who comes over and cleans it all once a month. That stuff is a pain in the ass to dust.

In my family, we all wear our 'best' jewelry on Christmas Eve (you gotta wear gloves - you don't want to get those rings wet, just so you know).

This year, we are going to the Children's Mass on Christmas Eve before dinner - lots of little Mancinis in the choir. It's early, which is good, because once we start on the seven fishes and the grappa, Church is no place for my Uncles. Just saying.

Which reminds me - I need to make book on whether Fr. Dominic will say to my Uncle Sal: "See you at Easter, Sal." Last year, we made over $400 for the Church food pantry. The holidays really bring out the best in everyone, huh?

[Maryann Mercer]

My favorite present is homemade...Catherine got to make a clay pot in art class in third grade, complete with clay flowers and a lid. The teacher actually had them fired and it's still sitting on my desk, holding an assortment of things. I still have the Best Mom statue she gave me too :o) And her report cards.
Whenever the kids in the neighborhood come around with their sausage/cheese and other gift brochures, I buy at least one thing non-edible. Great stocking stuffers. No Santa's Workshops here, but still a neat way to help kids celebrate!
Happy Friday all!

[Rebecca the Bookseller]

Good morning all.

Love the favorite presents - but the teeth? Hmmmm.

Ramona - that is a a beautiful link - thanks for sharing. The snowball fight game is hard - I just kept hitting Will Farrell for the low points, but he's tough to miss. Did you hit Santa? Funny.

Margie - thanks for the update/warning. Don't know where your parish is, but I'll be sure to give it a wide berth if I find out. Are there, uh, more like you in your family?

[Harley]

I want that Mom jewelry.

Okay, sending off a card to a soldier. Great PSA, Rebecca!

[Elaine Viets]

This is the only Christmas Shopping story I enjoy.
Elaine

[William Simon]

Got to go with Elaine on this one! Classic, classic stuff...:)

[Kerry, The Martial Tart]

Thanks, Rebecca, for reminding us of the moments that count. One of my favorites is unwrapping all of the ornaments my daughter made in elementary school. Ramona, that's a lovely card -- thanks!

[ramona]

Glad you liked the Ashland card, Kerry and Rebecca. I must admit, my inner Scrooge came out during the beautiful music and wondered if that black bird that flew across was going to poop on the snowman.

[Rocco]

Ciao Bellas!

It's the high holidays at salons everywhere - so I'm just popping in for a second to say hi and yes, I could decorate a whole tree with my "Best Uncle" ornaments - may of which are hand made and therefore priceless. I still even have the Shrinky Dink ornaments we made as kids. Margie made the Snoopy ones and I did Barbie. Our cousin Marco was so jealous he tried to run them over with his bike, but they didn't even crack. They should pave the turnpike with that stuff.

Merry, merry, and if you haven't yet made your salon appointments, don't bitch when the schedule is full already.

And we'll be sending cards from the Salon to our soldiers. Too bad the instructions say no glitter or confetti - they really make things more festive.

[ArkansasCyndi]

This came across my email box yesterday. I think it does a great job "explaining" Santa
---------
I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous, cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten- dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs.Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all us kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's .... for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge.

"All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95.

===============================

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.

[Pam aka SisterZip]

Cyndi,

That was beautiful!

Margie,

I am sitting here (supposedly doing work...ha!) with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face remembering all of the ornaments and tacky jewelry that my daughter gave me over the years (and yes, I still have it all). I have ornaments from each of her first 5 years of elementary school. My favorite, however, is one she made in kindergarten. The kids traced their foot and took pipecleaners and glitter and all kinds of stuff to make a reindeer ornament. My wonderful daughter painted on a red nose and drew a frown on her reindeer. When her teacher asked her why Rudolph was frowning, my daughter said, "He is sad because all of the other reindeer are teasing him."

I don't know how I got so lucky!

[Buzz]

This gets me in the spirit of the season, Rebecca.

[Debby]

Rebecca, thank you so much for this reminder of what is truely important during the holiday season.

This year, I am making presents with my niece and nephew for them to give to the loved ones. Not even their mommy or daddy knows what we are making. No amount of prying by friends of theirs has made them crack. I had the concept and $, they have the ideas and are doing the execution of the ideas. :)

BTW, thank you for the address for the Red Cross. Our wounded marine has been too busy of late to distribute cards as he has been 3/6...jokingly referring to the fact that he has been on tv with Robin Roberts et al for Bob Woodworth event.

Debby

[beachfla]

Thanks, Rebecca, for being the voice of the season! Oops, my green and red plastic Santa's Workshop bracelet is banging on my keyboard...

[Kerry, The Martial Tart]

Cyndi, that's beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

[Mary Storyteller]

Pam, I love your daughter!
Thanks, y'all, for uplifting stories.

[Katherine C.]

I LOVED Santa's Workshop when I was little. My sisters never really got to use it because we moved when I was in 4th grade and our new Catholic school didn't do it, but I can still remember the joys of wandering through Santa's Workshop at St. Hilary's in Washington, PA (not there anymore). Dad still has (and uses — I make sure of it) the (admitedly, rather ugly, and it's slanted — don't know why) World's Greatest Dad coffee mug I bought him in 2nd grade. I remember being so proud that I had picked it out all by myself. Sadly, I have the memory of an 80-year-old woman and can't remember what I got Mom — I think a ring, but not sure.

[CilleyGirl]

My first thought on reading this was whether deer really need coasters.