Don't make Santa Claus mad

By Norma Singley

When I entered the first grade I encountered lots of new children.  Some of which proceeded to tell we uninitiated that there was no Santa Claus-it was our parents.  That didn't go well with me and it upset my wonderful fanciful world.  So as Christmas approached I asked my parents if that was true and got a convoluted answer that involved my younger sister-which made no sense to me.  My only way to get an answer was to watch for Santa on Christmas Eve. 

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My sister and I were tucked into bed with words of encouragement that in the morning Santa would have visited and there would be presents under the tree. I knew part of those presents would be underwear – Santa always left underwear.  That was OK.  As soon as it got quiet and I was sure my sister was asleep I got out of bed and came down the creaky stairs to hide in the hall closet where I would have a good view.  Well, sure enough, there was Mother and Daddy, laughing and talking, fixing some things under the tree.  When they brought out the doll for my sister I guess I couldn't stand it any longer and I burst into the room and said, “You better not do that because Santa Claus will be really mad.”

​The tears started to flow and I remember my Dad trying to console me and having a hard time not laughing. Then with words of encouragement that they were only helping Santa I was sent back to bed.  I wasn't at all convinced.   Christmas morning came and all seemed as it should be and my sister and I were hurried off to Grandmother's house for more celebration. Apparently the story was told around the dining table-I had to sit at the kids table – and there was much laughter.

After Christmas my parents had a conversation with me about what I had seen.  They stressed the real celebration was for Jesus' birth.  They also said that I didn't have to give up the story of Santa Claus as long as I remembered the real reason for the celebration. I have always remembered that advice so when the holiday seems hectic I smile and remember.    

So through the years, at Christmastime,  those who knew the story would always say to me, “You better not do that because Santa Claus will be really mad.”