Another Christmas has come and gone. About this time, my Dad is
hanging up his Santa suit.
Oh, I didn’t tell you? My Dad spent part of the holiday season
being one of Santa’s helpers.
Another Christmas has come and gone. About this time, my Dad is hanging up his Santa suit.
Oh, I didn’t tell you? My Dad spent part of the holiday season being one of Santa’s helpers.
As everyone knows, Santa can’t be everywhere at once. And when the jolly Big Guy couldn’t make it to a party earlier this month, my Dad stepped into Santa’s shoes – literally.
Now if you knew my Dad, he wouldn’t strike you as being cut from the same cloth as Santa.
Since he has stepped up his exercise regime, his belly doesn’t shake like a bowl full of jelly. And while he has his jovial moments, he can’t compete with Santa.
And when we were little, if our stocking stuffers were left up to him, I’m sure we would have received a lump of coal on more than one occasion.
But he does have a white beard. This is very important to curious children who like to give Santa’s whiskers a tug now and then.
Most importantly, my Dad’s heart is as big as Santa’s. And when he heard that Las Madres needed a Santa for their children’s party, he gladly accepted the challenge.
He did pretty well. His ho-ho-ho’s were hearty and plentiful. And his eyes twinkled when he asked each child for their Christmas wish.
I’m not sure if our 11-month-old daughter, Emma, was fooled. That was the first time she sat on Santa’s lap without shrieking in fear.
Nevertheless, he enjoyed his Santa stint so much he thinks he may have found a job for his retirement years.
I know what you’re thinking. Who does he think he is posing as the jolly old elf? Don’t worry my Dad’s up to it.
Just wait until you see the Santa suit he’s planning to buy on the Internet. It looks like the genuine article, or so I’ve heard. And besides someone has to help keep a roof over my parents’ heads.
As a favor, he has asked me to conduct a little market research to find out if folks would pay for an appearance from Santa, a.k.a. Emma’s Grandpa. If you’re in the market for a Santa, I would sure appreciate it if you would take the time to answer a few questions. OK, here goes:
1) What’s a visit from Santa worth to you?
2) Would you be willing to reimburse Santa for mileage and dry cleaning bills?
3) Could you offer Santa some refreshments after a few hundred ho-ho-ho’s?
If you were to hire him, my Dad would have a few teensy conditions. They include, in no particular order:
1) He won’t go down your chimney, no matter how clean it is.
2) The reindeer will not be making guest appearances.
3) Visits from elves and Mrs. Santa cost extra. (Someone has to run the home front).
4) He must be paid on a cash basis only.
Finally, he asks that each client sign a clause releasing him from any liability in the event that their child does not receive the toy that he or she asks for.
Thank you very much for your feedback. I’ll forward all of your responses to my Dad. Who knows, maybe he has found a job for his golden years.
In the meantime, when Christmas arrives again next year, I know my Dad will be happy to step into Santa’s shoes once again. Heck, maybe even an elf or two will swoop down for a visit, too.
