I remember, as a child, lining up behind all the other kids, wearing my best dress and impatiently waiting my turn to sit on Santa’s knee and ask for something special for Christmas. This was typically followed by enthusiastically taking my candy cane as we waited for the picture to develop. It always made for a fantastic conclusion to a fun family day spent on the snowy streets of Toronto while watching the Santa Claus Parade.
I also recall always asking my parents how Santa was able to get to the mall so quickly after his ride on the giant float, and my father usually replied with something like “That’s Santa magic.”
Oh, how I love Santa magic.
There is something very special about the relationship children have with Santa—and the wonder he brings out in the eyes of youngsters when they catch a glimpse of the big man in red. And, that is not to say that it always begins on a positive note. In fact, one of my first pictures with Santa shows me as a sobbing toddler wanting to get away as quickly as possible. Sure, Santa can be scary, but if you’re lucky, that fear eventually subsides and you’re left with a feeling of excitement whenever you spot that white beard and hear that hearty “Ho ho ho!”
Because, honestly, who can resist singing along with Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” when it comes on the radio? I definitely cannot. And I’m happy that I now have a backup singer in my little boy, who claims this to be his favourite carol (at least for the time being). It just puts you in a good mood—plus, it doesn’t hurt that the song helps provide a little bit extra behaviour incentive for my rambunctious preschooler.
And, I have to say, I’ve been greatly enjoying how much my son has begun to embrace the idea of Santa this year. At three, he has a much better understanding of who Santa is and what he is going to be doing come Christmas Eve. He’s eager for Christmas morning and he’s hoping for some fun gifts under the tree; yet, I couldn’t help but laugh when I asked him what he was going to ask Santa for this year and he replied with, “A drink.”
Fair enough. I won’t be surprised if Santa leaves him a juice box in his stocking this year.
Although, when it was time to make the trip to take a photo with Santa, this year, I don’t think he asked for anything. He easily walked up and sat on Santa’s knee, with no sign of fear. He posed for the picture and said he enjoyed the experience, but I think he was still a little in awe of who he was meeting. Santa is such a new concept for him, and while he isn’t one of the children who is afraid of him, there is a mystery about him that my son is still trying to make sense of.
I know this will only make more and more sense to him as he grows, and I’m sure that next year he will eagerly write a letter to mail to the North Pole and bake cookies to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve. We’ll get there, and we’ll experience all of the joys I remember as a child. I can’t wait.
And in the Yukon, we are lucky because the city is aglow with holiday merriment, hosting many festive events for families to take part in during the Christmas season, many of which include an opportunity for children to share a special moment with dear old St. Nick and experience a little bit of the magic that he brings with him.
I will always have a very special place in my heart for Santa Claus, and I will always be thankful to my family for helping create those memories of him for me, whether it was taking me to the parade each year or telling me stories about him by the fireplace on cold December nights. They always encouraged my belief in Santa, and because of that he remains ingrained into my childhood and is a part of so many precious memories of the holiday season. I sing about him, hang up ornaments of his likeness and now embrace my chance to introduce him to my own child. What about that isn’t truly magical?
