Runners-Up, 2003 Edition

Submitted by Phil Claridge

Some Christmas eves, but not reliably, Santa is left a glass of something nice to drink and some shortbread cookies at our house. But always and without exception, Santa leaves us a letter along with the wonderful gifts which appear under the tree. And, every year, before even the small gifts are removed from the stockings, the letter from Santa is read aloud while family members, still clad in pyjamas and slippers, enjoy a first cup of tea. Santa's letters relate to things which have happened in our family and home in the year almost ended. There are references to jobs, moves and achievements, gentle mention of losses and usually the weather that year. Almost invariably there are elaborate explanations of why Santa was unable to deliver the fur coat or new car someone might have wished for in their wildest dreams. Santa's excuses usually relate to changed addresses, difficulty with postal strikes or production difficulties at Santa's workshop, which often refer to events in the world in the last year.

This is a tradition which was followed in my wife's family before we married, and we have saved our letters during the 33 years of our marriage. Our letters now reside in their own special stocking, which is hung by the fireplace when we decorate for Christmas. During the days surrounding Christmas we sometimes fondly unfold and re-read the letters, which provide a series of snapshots of Christmas past.