When I was a kid, I would leave out cookies for Santa and milk for Rudolph every Christmas Eve before I went to bed. Having been one of those kids who was never asked to join in any reindeer – I mean, playground – games, I felt an affinity for Rudolph, one that I didn’t feel towards the other eight reindeer. So, he got the bowl of milk. I didn’t expect him to share with the others either.
I would always include a letter to Santa with the treats, written on a pretty Christmas card. Sure, I sat on his lap at the mall and told him all about the Cabbage Patch Kids or Jem dolls I wanted, but he saw so many kids during the span between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I wanted to be sure he remembered me and leaving personalized Christmas cards seemed like a good way to make an impression. It never dawned on me that a “reminder card” put out on Christmas Eve may be a little too late. Santa was magic, after all. He’d make it happen.
I usually found whatever it was I asked for under the tree when I woke up early the next morning. The cookies and milk were gone, and a brightly wrapped package or twelve rested on the tree skirt. I do remember one time, though, when Santa wrote back.
While most of the specifics are hazy, I imagine his note – written on a holiday card, just like mine to him – mentioned what a good girl I’d been and reminded me to be a good girl for my parents for the New Year. After all, he was watching, right? The one detail I do remember, though, is that his handwriting was so sloppy, it looked like he misspelled my name. In fact, he called me by a boy’s name!
I showed my mother the offending holiday card, wondering how Santa could possibly address my Christmas card to Lee, and not Dee. Somehow, she explained the “error” all away. I guess moms are good at that.
Whenever I find myself “bah-humbugging” the holidays, I think of Santa and the magic he brings to Christmas. The kid in me still remembers. And, I have to confess, I still look at the table near the tree each year and wonder if he’ll leave me Christmas cards and write me again.
I too would leave something for Rudolph. I never even thought about the other reindeer come to think of it! Santa would get the traditional cookies and milk and Rudolph would get either an apple or carrot LOL too funny! And like you, I would once and awhile get a little note from Santa to say thank you but never an actual Christmas card. That’s a cute idea. I will have to remember that for my kids to do next year.