Childhood Christmas Memories - Do you have one?
When you think back to when you were a child, are there special memories that you associate with Christmas time? Perhaps there was something that triggered the "countdown" to Christmas Eve and the arrival of Santa Claus? A special sweet holiday candy or ice cream? Or maybe, a tradition that made you feel like the holiday season was upon you? For me, the arrival of the Sears Christmas catalog, the Wish Book, was about as clear a signal as I needed. In fact, between my brother, sister and myself, I'm surprised there was any chance for my Mom and Dad to have a look-see. The hours we would pour over those wonderful toys, drawing a circle around the irresistible ones we were sure we just could not live without! Oh, and making the ever important list, complete with page number and toy description.
The Christmas toy list served many purposes. First, it was such a joy to look at the toys and think about them, that writing down their names and descriptions was like an extension of the whole Wish Book experience. Second, it was very helpful to be able to tell our parents all about what we wanted, and third, who wanted to possibly forget what special toy to tell Santa about?
Going to see Santa Claus
Going to see Santa Claus was a very big deal for me, and there was only ONE place that Santa would be before Christmas: Sears Roebuck & Co. department store. As far as I knew, Sears was just an extension of Santa's workshop back at the North Pole. It had to be, he was always there, year after year, just like me! With my Christmas list in hand, telling Santa Clause what I wanted was such a treat and I always felt relief when he said I was on the "Nice List", not the "Naughty List"! Remembering how magical it was, I also recall that after my "big day" to see Santa Claus, I would always ask my Mom if she thought he really knew where we lived and that question would be followed by all the "what if" questions that only a six year old could ask! Keep in mind, that was serious business to a little girl!.
What could be better than Peppermint Ice Cream?
I'm lucky to have those memories, and I cherish them dearly. The reason I started thinking about my childhood Christmas memories was that I came across something that I thought was so inventive: Websites where you can order your child personalized Santa letters! Santa Claus letters? I can just imagine that if I could have received a letter from Santa Claus himself, that would have been better than 1000 bowls of peppermint ice cream!
Personalized Santa Letters
When I saw my first "Santa Claus Letters" website, I thought, well, I could do that. I figured I could write a little note, use some clip art and print something on the computer to give to my little ones. Or if I wanted to make it really fun, I could even mail it myself to give it that little bit of "authenticity" and give the children the thrill of getting something in the mail, just for them. But once I started really looking at what is offered from some of these sites, I was bowled over! Even with the best clip art I could find and all the lace, glitter and glue I could use, the quality and variety of what some of the sites offer is more than I have time (or ability) to create!
What you can expect to find when you visit the Santa Claus Letters websites
Site 1
The first site I found caught my eye with the cute design of the Santa Letter. What allows the personalized Santa Letters to be created is the information you fill in from the short questionnaire when you place your order. Then that information is used to create the actual letter from Santa Claus to your child.
"Send a surprise personalized letter from Santa! It's easy, it's fun and will only take 5 minutes. No big decisions needed. Just answer a few questions for the Santa Claus letter to be personalized and you're done!"
Site 2
More Santa Letters * Phone Calls from Santa Claus * Package from Santa
After I did some more searching, I found that there are several other sites that offer an amazing array of inexpensive gift ideas, beyond just a letter from Santa Claus. A great bonus is that the prices are very reasonable, definitely in the range of what I have budgeted for Christmas shopping.
PERSONALIZED PACKAGE FROM SANTA
An Incredible array of keepsake gift ideas:
Options include: Personalized Letter from Santa, Custom Letter from Rudolph, Personalized Custom "Nice" Certificate, Autographed Photo of Santa Clause, Custom Blend of Reindeer Food, An Authentic Piece of Santa's Red Christmas Suit, Personal Greeting from Santa CD and finally a beautifully designed cheerful Red Gift Box with Stunning Original Art Work on the Interior!
This company has been seen in Parenting Magazine, Baby Talk, Parents, and American Baby Magazine. You can buy in confidence with their 60 day, no questions asked return policy.
Site 3
Santa's Elves have been busy thinking up these special items!
This site offers some really creative items, geared to convince even the most skeptical child (or adult) that Santa Claus is real and has actually visited your house! From the Proof of Santa Evidence Kit to the Santa Boot Print Kit, you will have fun setting up the scene for your family to enjoy discovering...and, you just might re-kindle some of your own childhood belief.
Unique, inexpensive gift ideas for children and adults who need some Christmas magic
And that's what started me thinking about all the children on my gift giving list: My own children, of course, the nieces and nephews, and even my cousins children, all who are in that wonderful, magical age of believing in Santa! With the variety of items to choose from, and the range of affordable prices, instead of worrying about going to the mall to find everyone the perfect gift (that they will forget about before my credit card bill is paid!), why not give something that is magical, special and they will remember, possibly long after they are adults? If I think about it, there are some adults I know who could do with a little dose of Santa's special attention . Hmm, a letter from Santa to adults? Who says you are ever too old to believe?
Well, I believe that sprinkling some Holiday magic into the lives of the people I know, young and old, is what I'm planning to do this year. When I started writing this piece, it was going to be a nostalgic account about Christmas memories and traditions of baby-boomers and how to pass some of those traditions along in our own families. What's nice, is that instead of just writing about how to do it, I can show you a few ways to do it! Re-awaken old memories of Santa Claus for yourself while creating new memories for your loved ones...Is anyone really ever too old to receive Santa Claus Letters or magical treasures from the North Pole? I know every Christmas Eve I make sure to check the Norad.org Santa Tracker, and every Christmas morning I awaken and wonder what Jolly Ol' St. Nick left below our tree! I may be a little bit older, but I'm forever young at heart...and yes, Charlie Brown, I believe!
To see beautiful detailed photographs of all the wonderful gifts to choose from, or, to visit the individual websites, please visit Santa Claus Lane. And when you do, don't be surprised if you find that YOU still believe, too!
It is my hope that you have enjoyed what you have read, and that maybe it has inspired you to slow down and remember your own Christmas memories. If you would like to visit the sites I refer to above, please follow this link to have access to photos, product comparisons and direct links for each website referenced. http://santa-claus-lane.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderful Christmas, and Happy New Year!
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