I remember a horrid Christmas Eve when my brother and I were little kids, anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival. It was a freezing cold night and the old oil furnace konked out … again! We kept plenty of wood and the fireplace in working order for just such emergencies.
That night though, Dad’s attempts to light a fire in the fireplace were met with screams of protests and tears from his sons. How was Santa ever come down the chimney with a fire burning in the fireplace? No, no, Dad! We’d rather be freezing than keep Santa out!!
Some quick thinking and smooth talking on Dad’s part, somewhat assuaged our fears. But I can remember laying awake, much later in the night, after Dad had fixed the furnace and the fire had gone out in the fireplace, worrying about poor Santa.
I’m glad that in my ethnic culture there is no such belief and that our children didn’t have those first, great disappointments in life when “they found out the truth”… plus they didn’t grow up to be gullible adults to fall for all that hype.
In our family—the get together— because everyone can have the same day off work, is what we look toward.
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
April, Santa knows when you’re awake if you keep on looking out for him.
Enter.Name.Here almost 3 years ago
A watched pot never boils and a watched Santa never shows.
wjones almost 3 years ago
He does not come until you are sleeping.
AllishaDawn almost 3 years ago
Looks like someone is sleeping in the den tonight.
KA7DRE Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I hope Santa has his asbestos suit on !
howtheduck almost 3 years ago
I wonder if the book title “A Surprise for Santa” is based on the classic children’s book “Santa’s Surprise”.
Susan00100 almost 3 years ago
Velvet?? I thought Santa’s bag was burlap!!
saylorgirl almost 3 years ago
Aww, the innocence of children is priceless.
proclusstudent almost 3 years ago
@saylorgirl
Unfortunately it’s far too oft for sale.
More Coffee Please! Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Man, it sure was wonderful believing!
rshive almost 3 years ago
We don’t really know the name of whoever invented the fireplace damper, do we?
Chris almost 3 years ago
that’s cute. :]
Johnnyrico almost 3 years ago
I like the story of Krampus better!
Bob Blumenfeld almost 3 years ago
To me, the look of wonder on little April’s face is better than any joke on this one.
Bill Löhr Premium Member almost 3 years ago
No one ever talks of the trail of sooty footprints left on the carpet from the chimney to the tree.
tcumming almost 3 years ago
No stockings hung on chimney
pheets almost 3 years ago
To see the joy of anticipation in a little one’s first cognizant Christmas….. A gift in itself : )
Chansonreve almost 3 years ago
Imagine Nick trying to explain to his dry cleaner every year…
Tyge almost 3 years ago
It’s magic, April! 8^ )
WCraft Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Just as a watched pot never boils, a watched chimney never produces a Santa Claus. FYI
kab2rb almost 3 years ago
Merry Christmas Eve FBOFW fans.
Linguist almost 3 years ago
I remember a horrid Christmas Eve when my brother and I were little kids, anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival. It was a freezing cold night and the old oil furnace konked out … again! We kept plenty of wood and the fireplace in working order for just such emergencies.
That night though, Dad’s attempts to light a fire in the fireplace were met with screams of protests and tears from his sons. How was Santa ever come down the chimney with a fire burning in the fireplace? No, no, Dad! We’d rather be freezing than keep Santa out!!
Some quick thinking and smooth talking on Dad’s part, somewhat assuaged our fears. But I can remember laying awake, much later in the night, after Dad had fixed the furnace and the fire had gone out in the fireplace, worrying about poor Santa.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I think that story is great and all, but I think it is especially meaningful if you hear it in a house with a real chimney.
donwestonmysteries almost 3 years ago
The world of wonder in the young innocents.
paranormal almost 3 years ago
April isn’t going to let them light the fire place til after Christmas…
littlejohn Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Every one have a very Merry Christmas!
Tha Nollaig Chridheil aig a h-uile duine!
Quisque ipsum Nativitatem Domini habent!
Όλοι να έχουν πολύ καλά Χριστούγεννα!
¡Cada uno tiene una muy feliz Navidad!
mindjob almost 3 years ago
How does Santa get into apartments?
Train 1911 almost 3 years ago
Cute
kaycstamper almost 3 years ago
I hope there’s no fire in it while she’s peering up it!
1JennyJenkins almost 3 years ago
I’m glad that in my ethnic culture there is no such belief and that our children didn’t have those first, great disappointments in life when “they found out the truth”… plus they didn’t grow up to be gullible adults to fall for all that hype.
In our family—the get together— because everyone can have the same day off work, is what we look toward.
j.l.farmer almost 3 years ago
this is the first that i have heard of the book / story. will have to look for it online!
Boltsfan2029 almost 3 years ago
Living in Florida, we had no chimney and learned from our parents that they always left the garage doors unlocked for Santa. :)
Teto85 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
All part of the magic of Xmas, Little Ape.
namelocdet almost 3 years ago
Sometimes… I wish I was still a little kid. :-)
rfeinberg almost 3 years ago
Oh, how “ADORABLE” (…. * gag * )