There is nothing like the magic of Santa.

I remember as a little girl I would lie in bed and try to listen to him landing on the roof. The thought of hearing the hoofs from all the reindeer and bells from the sleigh made me so excited. I’d lie there for what felt like forever, just waiting. But that feeling of “forever” at six or seven years old was only about ten or fifteen minutes, then I would drift off to sleep and dream about sugar plums.

Christmas morning, I would wake up, and Santa had been there. Our homemade stockings with my brother Luke’s and my names on them were filled. Gifts were under the tree, and the only things left of evidence were cookie crumbs that Santa had left and an empty glass that once had milk in it.

I hadn’t heard the sleigh bells. I didn’t hear the reindeer or Santa saying, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!” But he came, just like every year. He never let me down.

Christmas always felt so magical as a child. They were some of our best Christmases. But then ya know what? We had children, and that brought back all the magic. We BELIEVE in this family. Santa comes to our house every year. The kids still leave milk and cookies, and we have carrots (if I have them) out for Rudy and his fellow buddies, Dancer and Prancer, and the rest of the gang.

When I decorate right around Thanksgiving, I have a special little table I do each year that sits in our living room. Right now, it sits near our fireplace and right by our Christmas tree. On the table sits a little plate and cup. The white plate has red edging on it with a picture of Santa that reads HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS, and three (fake) gingerbread man cookies sit on the plate. The small cup has a picture of Santa on one side and says Merry Christmas on the other side. In that cup hangs a (fake) candy cane. A flickering candle settles next to this plate with a cross-stitch picture made by a very dear friend of mine, Glee Spring, that says Believe with a sprig of greens below it. Are you picturing this so far?

On the other side of the plates lay two letters. These letters were made by a friend I met on Facebook who makes really neat, homemade, primitive things. They are made out of fabric, and she stamps on them. Each letter in the upper corner reads TYLER and the other one reads KENZY. They each have a Santa delivery stamp and are both addressed:

TO SANTA
NORTH POLE

Before I had kids, I had this lady make ones for my momma and surprised her for Christmas. They had my brother’s and my names on them. She had tears that Christmas when she opened them. As soon as I had kids, I ordered them, too. They are so special. Near these letters lay a key for Santa. We found it in the dirt in our yard years ago. It’s shaped like a Christmas wreath—so cool! It’s my Christmas treasure.

Last but not least, a tiny little Christmas mouse stands about an inch and a half tall next to the flickering candle. He is wearing a little Santa hat and holding a stocking in his hand with a sign that reads BE MERRY. This table brings me so much joy every year. I will never not have my Santa table. It keeps the magic alive each season, knowing that Santa will be coming soon.

I love the joy and smiles of kids this time of year. I know exactly how they are feeling, and I am just full of anticipation! My joy now comes through watching them. It is so exciting!

Never stop believing. I haven’t. Have you?  You are never too old to look up to the sky on Christmas Eve. I always remind you of that around this time of year. So, you better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout I’m telling you why! Santa Claus is coming to town!!

Find red and green fruits and make a fruit salad.
Ideas:
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Apples
• Kiwi
• Cherries
• Watermelon

I just added a little sugar to my fruit and put it in clear plastic cups so you can see the red and green colors. I then wrapped an empty square clothing box in red and green paper and placed my fruit cups on the wrapped box to add volume to my bar top. I even placed the cups on top of the box in the shape of a Christmas tree.