Saturday, May 5, 2012
10 Reasons Santa's Broke This Year
1. Santa Spends More Than He Makes
Santa's paychecks are nothing to sneeze at, but he stays focused on his next raise. (Yes, of course Santa gets a raise each year!) He has no idea what it costs him to live the Santa life. He doesn't track his earnings nor his spending. Santa's got to provide for his reindeer, his horse and his North Pole home - just like the rest of us.
2. Santa Has No Emergency Account
Santa's transportation tends to break down right in the middle of major blizzards. Only last week, he had to whip out his credit card to pay for sleigh-towing. When Santa finally made it to the repair shop, he again had pay for the sleigh repair with credit. Just last year, he nearly had frost bite after his brand new sleigh had broken down.
3. Santa Lives Paycheck to Paycheck
Santa cashes his paycheck at the North Pole Bank, but most of the money gets spent before it makes its way to his checkbook. If it makes it there, most of the money is already owed to the credit card company. Santa has no other money set aside.
4. Santa Doesn't Enjoy Balancing His Checkbook
Santa forgets to balance the checkbook. He spends money, but is never sure what he has available to spend. Santa doesn't know how to build in some fun to help him enjoy working in his checkbook.
5. Santa Spends His Raises and Bonuses
Santa got a nice raise back in January, following his Bonus check in December (bonus based on number of chimneys completed for the year). He thought he'd have plenty of money this year. But Santa likes nice, updated equipment at all times. He bought brand new gear for all his reindeer, even though last year's would have done the job.
6. Santa Eats Most of His Meals Out
Since Santa's job requires that he spend a large amount of time traveling, Santa tends to eat out way too much. He also has to feed his reindeer each time he sits down to eat. The tips alone are enough to keep him in the poorhouse.
7. Santa Lives on the Edge
Santa keeps himself so busy that he can't sit down and plan his life. He hasn't set up a plan to build extra money into his checkbook, nor has he made a decision to actually save any of his money. Even setting up automatic deposit would be helpful. Another emergency could wipe him out. (No more Santa?)
8. Santa is Not Preparing for the Future
Santa, jolly fellow that he is, has no money set aside to work for him. He may end up working until his hair is much whiter (or gone). It's pretty much a given that Santa will need to replace that sleigh and maybe even some of the reindeer over the years. Because most of his money now goes to pay off credit cards, Santa just can't picture tucking away any money.
9. Santa Spends Too Much on R & R
Even Santa needs a little rest and relaxation after all that hard work. If he runs out of cash, he charges it. (No, I promised not to tell what Santa does for R & R. He does know who's been naughty or nice ...)
10. Santa Can't Stay Motivated
Santa gives himself a good lecture from time to time. He knows he should be doing better, but he just can't get any traction. Saving his money seems like an overwhelming obstacle. Santa hasn't discovered there are tricks out there to make saving money a fun thing, something he can look forward to doing.
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No Virgina, There Is No Santa Claus
Ask any large group of kids, or even adults for that matter, what the most recognizable symbol of Xmas is, and a few will probably say Xmas trees/wreaths of holly; a few might say snowmen; or boxes with Xmas wrappings and ribbons. One or two might even say Christ - that oh so warm and fuzzy baby Jesus manger scene displayed in shopping centres from coast to coast (which is fictional nonsense but that's another topic). But by far and away, the vast majority will nominate "Santa Clause" (with or without elves, reindeer, and sleigh).
Nearly every child on Planet Earth is exposed to the Christmas icon commonly labelled Santa Claus. The image of Santa is everywhere. On Xmas cards, on wrapping paper, on billboards, in the movies, physically present on the street corner, in the department store, represented in song lyrics and titles, and in pictorials in just about every place and reach that commercialism can stick a Santa image on.
Maybe in one sense therefore no one has to tell a child that Santa exists. The child will just assume the positive based on the images and the evidence. Of course ultimately false impressions and expectations are those that child will have to come to terms with sooner or later. Until that sad day eventuates...
So, what can parents do but go with the flow and tell their little darling brats (sorry, their kids - brats are other family's kids), "yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". Of course parents may have an incentive - it's a carrot and stick method, something to get their brat (oops, little darling) to tow their line. "You do as I say or Santa won't do his thing for you come Xmas Eve!" But whatever happened to the ethical concept of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Just about every year we read about or personally see/hear public figures do an 'oops' and blurt out to anyone within range that "no Virginia, there is no Santa Claus", and end up in a lot of hot water, and more often as not, humiliated and forced to retract their statement. Why should they, for after all they just stated the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So, you get a pat on the back if you lie and tow the Santa line; you get the middle finger if you tell it like it is. Something's screwy - back to front - somewhere.
Surely parents would not expect society, public figures, authority figures, to lie to their little brats (oops, little darlings). Surely parents would not wish for their little darlings to be told lies by their teachers when starting out at kindergarten or elementary school. Yet when it comes to Santa, telling lies as opposed to the truth, well that's the exception to the otherwise ethical rule.
Now parents will rationalise that sooner or later their darling little brat (sorry, little Jane or Johnny) will have that eureka moment when the light bulb lights and the kid finally and rationally using pure logic figures it all out all by himself/herself - no, there isn't a Santa Claus anymore than there is a mythical figure flying around with a big S displayed on his cape and chest. Or, maybe the penny drops when the presents from Santa are socks and underwear, not toys! Maybe it's when a friend/classmate (or other higher authority) with a superiority complex ridicules your kid and tells him (or her) the real Santa Claus facts-of-life.
Assuming kids can figure it all out themselves, how do kids figure it all out?
The Physics of it all: You can't really expect a kid of three to have the maths abilities to figure out that Santa is a physical impossibility, and thus in the same category as the mythology surrounding Superman - An interesting fiction, but fiction nonetheless. But, by the time a kid hits elementary school, they should be so able.
Let's do a quickie analysis. Let's confine Santa's Xmas Eve deliveries to just Down Under Australia (Oz), but allow him the full dusk (Xmas Eve) to dawn (Xmas Day) time span, which, allowing for time zone differences in high summer Oz, amounts to roughly 12 hours. Now say there are 21 million inhabitants in Oz at 3 per household. That's 7 million households. But say only 1 in 14 has young children or a child that requires a Santa stopover. That's 500,000 required visits/deliveries by Santa in 12 hours. At a rate of say 1 second per delivery, Santa needs 500,000 seconds to get the job done. Alas, 12 hours equates to 720 minutes which is 43,200 seconds. Santa is short roughly some 450,000 seconds. Santa needs to step up the pace and deliver at a rate of one expectant Oz household every 1/10th of a second. Of course you are already aware that one delivery per second is impossible and therefore one visit every 10th of a second is an order of magnitude even more impossible - where's Superman when you need him! Now throw in the rest of Planet Earth and Santa starts to violate some very fundamental aerodynamic principles. Santa has to travel so fast that not only will his sonic booms keep the entire population of Planet Earth awake; the speeds required would generate so much atmospheric friction that Santa would burn up like a 'shooting star'.
Now it doesn't take all that long for a kid to preform some sort of analysis like this - it can be done dozens of ways. Perhaps the kid asks himself how long would it take Santa to deliver gifts to all the kids in his elementary school, while partaking of the milk and cookies left out for Santa at each house? Say the school has 200 students and it takes Santa five minutes per to deliver gifts under the tree, fill the stockings and polish off the snack. That's 1000 minutes - way more than 12 hours worth. And any child of elementary school age knows that there are many, many other elementary schools even just within his immediate surroundings. Once heading down that logical pathway, the kid has to conclude that something's screwy somewhere.
Will the kid now ask why did mommy and daddy (and all of society) lie to me? Will the kid confront them with a "please explain"? Then again maybe he will just say, "WTF, I got freebies out of this nonsense. It was good pickings while it lasted!"
The Morals/Ethics: What does the concept of Santa teach kids? Greed! Freebies! Those free lunches are real. Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets at no cost to Lola.
Of course this concept of additional 'gifts' from Santa, the pressure placed on those who actually have to buy those gifts, raises moral questions. That pressure from society places some financially challenged parents under obviously additional but really quite unnecessary financial pressure to provide that extra 'gift(s)' from Santa. If you don't, the message is you're not a good and loving parent by not doing your bit to keep the mythology going.
Do kids ultimate suffer because they are originally told by trusted associates (public figures, their parents) that there is a Santa Claus? I mean they also obtain physical evidence via sitting on Santa's knee in the local department store (and department store Santa's should be getting double their remuneration considering what they have to put up with - all those brats (sorry, little darlings). I wouldn't do it for all the (fill in the blank) in (fill in the blank). Other physical evidence comes of course via the present(s) under the Xmas tree - "to brat (sorry, Jane or Johnny), love Santa". But then they ultimately get the downer when they find they've been had, made a fool of hook, line and Santa sinker. Well, kids seem to undergo that rite of passage without grabbing the nearest sharp tool and gutting mom, dad and the department store Santa to boot. I mean by the time they figure out the Santa myth, they have also figured out that parents, friends, higher authority, life, the universe and everything can't be trusted to throw them a straight fastball. It's all curveballs and knuckleballs and spit balls. Trust no one over the age of ten!
But should they be fibbed to in the first place, be it by society, Madison Avenue and dear old mom and dad? No matter which way you slice and dice it, it's a breach of trust. Kids believe what adults tell them. If adults blatantly lie to them and tell them, "yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" when there's not, what sort of message does that convey to them once past their "I love Santa" years?
So, IMHO, if any public figure, in any medium whatsoever, who screams out the message that "no Virginia, there is no Santa Claus", then they are doing the world and all the brats (sorry, little darlings) therein, a public favour. It's all about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And it should commence from when your little darling (a brat to everyone else) is newly hatched; starting at Day One. Anything else is again ultimately a breach of trust.
No Santa? Just deal with it - the truth shall set you free of at least one impossible thing to believe in before breakfast!
But isn't it all just harmless childhood fun - part of growing up? Don't we all recover from the trauma of either that admission from someone in the know, or via that eureka moment when we figure it out all by ourselves? Well, if you can justify telling falsehoods to children as something harmless, okay. If you can justify installing a sense of greed in children that there is such a thing as a 'free lunch' since the child can't reciprocate by giving Santa a gift in return, okay. If you can justify all the additional resources Planet Earth has to yield up just for all those extra 'gifts' from Santa, okay. If you can justify that additional ecological footprint, okay. If you can justify it just because you can afford it as a parent, okay (but there might not be a correlation between what the kid wants and wants and wants and wants some more of and what you can afford). If you can justify lining the bottomless pockets of the retail sector with additional profits, that's okay too.
It's not going to happen of course, but IMHO the whole concept of Santa just needs to fade away, and the sooner the better. The concept of Santa contributes nothing positive either to a family's Xmas or to society as a whole, apart I guess from the extra mileage the retail trade milk from all those extra 'gifts from Santa' that find their way under the Xmas tree.
Science librarian; retired.
The Secret Santa
She was decorating her Christmas tree. The smile on her innocent face was worth watching. She picked up every little festoon with care and wrapped the tree with love. She was excited about Christmas. It was not only Christmas but her 8th birthday too. The excitement was about the secret that her granny promised to reveal. It was some secret about Santa. Last Christmas her granny promised that she would reveal the secret on her 8th birthday. She was just about to finish when her little sister Clara called out to her, "Nancy come soon, Granny is here". Nancy left the tree half bedecked and rushed to her sister. Grand Ma is here, yay!!yay!!yay!!yay!! she sang on her marathon towards the door. Nancy loved her granny. The 2 reasons why she loved Christmas were her beloved Santa Claus and her darling Granny, Mary.
Grand Ma hugged Nancy and Clara and tears rolled down her cheeks. She was meeting her lovely grandchildren after a year. Both kids held their granny by her hand and welcomed her in. The excitement of the secret was evident in her bright sparkling eyes. "I remember my promise", Granny smiled and told Nancy. Nancy was waiting for this day. The wait was long, very long but she knew it was worth. "Kids, granny has travelled a long way and needs rest. Let her take a nap" said Amy, Nancy's mother. The kids left the room and got back in to the tree and its decoration. But Nancy was lost in the thought of the secret, that granny will reveal before the midnight mass.
The tree was up and ready and Clara was excited to hang her stocking to it. She wanted a toy train for Christmas and she knew Santa will drop it in there. She hung the stocking to the tree and looked at Nancy, "what do you want for Christmas?" Clara interrogated."I will tell you once I get it", replied Nancy showing no interest in Clara or her little stocking. She kept on scribbling something on a piece of paper. "Nancy, are you there? Granny called out to her. Nancy rushed towards the voice. "Yes Granny, I am here. The Christmas tree is also ready and so am I for the secret", Nancy replied hurriedly.
Granny took Nancy to the porch and both of them sat on a small wooden plank nearby. Nancy, granny began. Today I will answer your question that you asked over the dinner during last Christmas. You wanted to know, who is Santa Claus? Where does he come from? Where does he go? Why he never meets us? Right? Nancy replied yes with a nod. She believed her Granny knew the secret about her beloved Santa Claus. Granny continued," You are a Santa Claus". Me???? Nancy exclaimed." Yes my child, you are Santa and so am I. Even your mother is a Santa and so is your father". Grand ma stopped for a while, she knew Nancy's tiny little brain will take some time to process this newly fed information. Is Clara a Santa too Granny? Nancy curiously asked. Yes she is, answered Granny.
Nancy stood on the plank and looked up. She couldn't believe she was "the Santa Claus" and there were not one but many in her home too. Granny, she began, "I don't have a long beard and neither can I fly. Where is my sledge? I have no gifts to give. And believe me both mom and dad cannot be Santa Claus too, they stay with me all night when Santa Claus comes and drops the presents in the Christmas tree".
Granny held little Nancy in her arms and said" oh my innocent little Santa, I will explain how. Do you know what the most important duty of a Santa Claus is? Nancy was confused and nodded a NO. It was getting complicated for her. I will tell you, said Granny and she began" Santa Claus brings gifts for all of us. He brings joy and smiles to our faces. He fulfills our wishes but he never waits for us to thank him. He comes, gives the present and leaves. This teaches us 3 most important things in life. One, always be the reason for everyone's happiness, two, try and help people in their need and three don't expect people to thank you for anything that you do for them. Be humble and share joy with everyone. If you do this, you will be a Santa Claus and will be loved by all". Does that mean, we should not thank Santa Claus for the gifts? No my child, you should not forget to thank your Santa Claus. When you thank him, you actually thank God for the gift and this way you can express your love for your secret Santa and the Almighty God too.
Nancy tried hard to understand this and articulated all that her little mind could identify with, "Granny that means Mom and dad are my Secret Santa? Because they always make me happy, bring me gifts, they fulfill my wishes and sometimes even though I forget to thank them, they still love me". "You are right my child", agreed Granny. "Parents are our best Santa Claus, they bring us up and even though we forget to thank them, they never stop loving us. Similarly, we also have to inculcate the qualities of Santa Claus and become like him. God has made one Secret Santa for everyone, because he loves us. You could also be someone's Secret Santa, this Christmas". Before Granny could complete, the little kid questioned, how? Granny wanted Nancy to bring her piggy bank. Nancy obediently brought it and informed Granny that she has been saving money for a toy, which she is going to buy for Christmas this year.
Granny thought for a while and said, Nancy what if you don't buy the toy for Christmas?" "I want to buy it; I have been saving for it" cried little Nancy. Granny knew it was difficult to persuade the kid. She thought for a while and asked Nancy who was her best friend at school. Marc, replied Nancy with a sad voice. "And why do you like him?" Granny asked with an intention to know more. I like him because he plays with me and is very kind to me. He helps me complete my homework and also teaches me how to ride a bicycle. But you know Granny he wears very old shoes, they are a little torn. Children at school laugh at him. Mom says his family is poor. His father lost his job and his mother cannot buy him shoes". Nancy explained and granny listened with all the patience. When Nancy finished, granny asked Nancy, "Do you really like him?" Yes nodded Nancy. Granny put across another question; "Do you feel bad when children laugh at him?" Nancy nodded yes again. Granny brought the 3rd question; "do you want to be his Santa Claus?" Nancy jumped and said, yes Granny.
The little kid understood what her Granny was trying to say. But Granny she said in a soft tone" I don't have enough money to buy him shoes. Shoes are costly. Will you lend me money to become a Santa Claus? Granny felt proud of her thoughtful grand-daughter and nodded in agreement. "Let's go and buy the shoes for Marc". She said "But who will take it to Marc? I don't want Marc to thank me, I am his secret Santa. I want him to be happy but I don't want to him to know this". Granny smiled and looked at Nancy; she knew her little grand daughter was a noble soul. This must be the reason that she shared her birthday with God's only son, Jesus. "Don't worry child, your secret Santa will do it for you". Granny tried explaining the little angel.
Nancy and granny bought a lovely pair of shoes for Marc. Nancy felt happy that she had become a secret Santa to her best friend. It was time for mid-night mass and the family got ready to go to church. After the mass was over granny met the priest at church and handed over the present to him. She narrated the entire story to him and said, "This is a gift from Marc's secret Santa, for Marc. I request you to give it to Marc. Please do not tell him anything about Nancy". The priest was surprised and said, "Blessed is your granddaughter and blessed is your family to have her. I will give it to Marc and believe me Nancy is god's beloved child." Granny smiled at this and left.
The celebrations for Christmas began and the place was filled with colors of joy, laughter and warmth. The next morning Nancy woke up and found a gift next to her with a note which read, Your Santa is proud of you and I hope you will continue to be the secret Santa for all those in need, always. I have delivered your gift to Marc. God bless you my child. Merry Christmas and a very happy birthday Nancy!! Her little eyes sparkled with joy and she opened the gift. To her surprise she found the same toy that she wanted to buy for Christmas." Grand Ma, look what my Santa gave me". Grand Ma was baking the cake and she knew what Nancy was talking about. After all she was her darling Granddaughter's Secret Santa. "Granny, I got the toy. My Santa knew and brought it for me. Thank you Santa Claus and I love you". She jumped with joy. Nancy ran around the house with her toy and so did little Clara, her Santa bought a toy train for her.
The same evening Nancy was celebrating her 8th birthday and all her friends joined in her in the merriment. Her dear friend Marc was also a part of the fun. He wished Nancy a very happy birthday and said with a grin on his face, "You know Nancy, last night my Santa gifted me new shoes" and he pointed towards his shoes. Nancy looked at her granny who stood behind her and both of them smiled.
Merry Christmas!!
Khushboo Singh is a post graduate in Business management and is a full time Human Resources Manager. She is based in Bangalore India and is working with a US based Technical Documentation company. She is passionate about writing on things that make her think more than normal. She loves travelling, reading, cooking,pottery, clay modelling, chatting,dancing,gardening and spending time with her loved ones which includes her plants and flowers. She loves to have a walk on the beach and believes you don't need a special occasion to be happy. Her faith in God is immovable. Believes in love and love!!
Santa Claus Letters, Calls and Other Gifts - Who is the Best Place to Order From?
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!
Poor Old Santa Claus
Poor old Santa Claus. Sometimes he gets a bad rap. People say he doesn't represent Christmas well. People say he doesn't set a good example for Christians celebrating December 25. And people say--gasp!--that he doesn't even exist. Plus, there are some folks out there who are trying to confuse just who Santa is. Is he really Saint Nicolas? Or is he some imposter, some big elf from the North Pole who wants to take credit for everything that Saint Nick has done and stands for.
Scary stuff, right? Well, if you are getting too upset by these anti-Santa ideas, perhaps you should stop reading this article now. It only gets worse the deeper you get into these anti-Santa theories.
Are you still with us? Good, because to preserve our image of Santa Claus--our jolly old man--we need to know why people are out to get him. Then, and only then, can we stop them from trashing the good name of the man in the red suit.
First off, these anti-Santa folks admit that Santa has some really great qualities. He's always cheerful and happy. He always has fun games and gifts to give, and he is always generous (unless you were naughty, of course). But here is where these anti-Santa people stop with the compliments. You see, they say that Santa, with all his goodness, is only for children and not for grownups.
Worse yet, they say that Santa is only around these days to make money for giant Eastern shopping syndicates. He's only here to make other people a buck. All that stuff about Santa giving gifts, and spreading good cheer, is all made up, they say. The real purpose of the man with the white beard and the red cap is to get us to consume, to spend money, to give gifts just like Santa does.
This is horrible anti-Santa stuff, right? Well, believe it or not, it gets worse. These anti-Santa folks go on to say that Santa can't be believed because he flies around the globe in a sleigh. Obviously, the anti-Santa folks have no faith in Rudolph. And speaking of faith, the anti-Santa folks also say that Santa takes away from the real purpose of Christmas, which is to celebrate Baby Jesus.
You see, these anti-Santa folks say the real Saint Nicolas is better than Santa. He was an actual person, they say, who believed and practiced goodwill to all men, women, and children. He was kind and generous, and was a devout believer in Baby Jesus. And Santa isn't real, they say?
Had enough? Me too. Here's how you can know that these anti-Santa folks are way off base. What these anti-Santa folks don't understand is, Santa and Saint Nick are one and the same. So you can't say that Saint Nick is better than Santa, or that Santa is copying Saint Nick's style. Saint Nick is Santa! Together, as one, they represent all that is good about Christmas, and all that we should practice every day, not just December 25.
So, please, anti-Santa bashers, please leave the big man alone. He's never done anything but bring holiday cheer, love for humankind, and tons of fun.
You can find more of these informative articles on Santa Claus and order letters from santa [http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com/], at [http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com/] .
The idea to send out letters from Santa was launched out of our very own hometown, called – appropriately - Santa Claus, Indiana! This small, cozy hamlet was awarded its very special name on Christmas Eve of 1852.
Since we knew that our little town had more than its share of Christmas bliss, we felt it was high time to spread some of that good feeling around. And so, letters from Santa was born. We’ve been touching hearts all around the world for many years, and we look forward to many more. Order your letter from santa today, at [http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com/] .
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
European trains for U.S. travelers?
Transportation infrastructure here in the U.S. consists mainly of highways. If you don't own a car, getting around can be a big inconvenience. True, here in the U.S., we have a rail system, but it is concentrated mainly on the East Coast, serving the large business centers. If our rail system was expanded to rival the European train system, people living in Santa Barbara could easily commute to San Francisco or Los Angeles.
After World War II, our government invested heavily in the freeways, with interstates criss-crossing the country. Gigantic tangles of freeway stretches were incorporated to navigate across large metropolitan areas. At that time, everyone was into the freedom of having their own car to carry them anywhere they pleased. The luxury and convenience of travel by automobile was welcomed by all. Gas costs were not then a monstrous portion of a family's income.
Today, it can be argued that we should invest in new infrastructure, with an efficient network of rail systems such as the European train system provides. The European train system is a model worthy of serious consideration here in the U.S. In Europe, gasoline is even more costly than here in the U.S. Daily automobile use is a luxury enjoyed only by the very affluent European.
The high-speed European trains are an absolute delight for tourists and commuters alike. Traveling safely and smoothly at speeds up to 300 miles per hour, you can leave Paris at 10:00 a.m. and be at the Spanish border by 7:00 p.m. or travel from London to Paris in just over an hour!You zip along, seated in roomy and comfortable seats, with a large private dining table equipped with an attractive banker's style lamp. Catch up on reading or work, watch the scenery, take a nap and enjoy a nice meal to pass the time. You arrive at your destination rested and refreshed instead of worn out and stressed from maneuvering endless stretches of freeway. Concerns over driving in bad weather are no longer part of the equation.
European trains follow routes laid out in a manner similar to our state highways and Interstates, such that you can reach almost any town in Europe by rail as easily as we do by car here. Doesn't it make good economic sense to give this idea some thought? Hmm. Maybe I'll write my Congressman. Perhaps you should too!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Multi Tools for Workmen
Image via WikipediaLeatherman multi-tools get the best reviews
Smallest, lightest multi-tools
- Consider which tools you use most.
- Look for blades and tools that lock open.
- How easy is it to access each tool?
(*Est. $20) than about any other multi-tool. The tiny Micra includes scissors, tweezers, a nail file and a small blade -- plus three screwdrivers (including a tiny one for eyeglasses). The scissors are the main tool you get when you unfold the Leatherman Micra, and in general, Leatherman scissors earn high marks for sharp cutting. (*Est. $25) unfolds to show pliers where the Micra has scissors. A tiny pair of scissors unfolds from the Squirt's handle, but there are no tweezers. For wiring repairs, the Squirt ES4 (*Est. $25) has more appropriate tools. At Amazon.com, about 85 percent of the owners say they're very satisfied with a Leatherman Squirt; complaints center on the scissors and some trouble getting the bottle opener out, though we also saw some reports that say that the scissors work very well.More tools equal a larger size
(*Est. $45) and the Skeletool CX (*Est. $65), which has a carbon fiber handle. These multi-tools weigh about five ounces each, with knife blades that are about 2.6 inches. The main compromise compared to heavier multi-tools is in the strength of the pliers, which are thin to save weight. We found complaints about pliers breaking under very little stress. Still, reviews praise both Skeletool models for their nicely contoured, comfortable shape plus the easy access to all the tools -- no nail-breaking attempts to pull out a tool wedged into a handle. The knife opens one-handed, and the carabiner doubles as a bottle opener. (*Est. $90) has four blades that are accessible without unfolding the pliers: a regular knife, serrated knife, saw and file. All the tools built into this model lock into place, and the total weight for 19 tools is 8.2 ounces -- heavy enough that the Charge TTi multi-tool is most appropriate for a glove compartment, tool box, desk drawer or tool belt. The Charge TTi comes with a removable belt clip as well as a sheath that has extra pockets to hold more screwdriver bits or a mini-flashlight. (*Est. $85) might also be worth considering, and it earns kudos for tools that are easy to open -- all from the outside when folded -- and lock into place. The main negatives in user reviews surround the knife -- it takes two hands to open and is mostly serrated, with a blunt end like a butter knife. Also, some reviewers lament the lack of ruler. A kit of extra driver bits is available, but they mount on a completely separate little tool, not the Spirit multi-tool itself.