Search Results for: blog the santa threat

The Thank-You Threat

First, it was the Santa threat, and now on this 12th day of Christmas, the Feast of the Epiphany, it’s time for the thank-you threat. We have a firm rule in our home regarding Christmas thank-you cards.  The notes of appreciation need to be written by the Epiphany.  This gives the child recipients more than a week to express their gratitude in words to friends and family members who generously showered them with holiday gifts. My mom was a stickler for thank-you notes, Christmas, birthday and otherwise.  In fact, my brothers and I were not allowed to open Christmas gifts … Continue reading →

Red, White and Ready for Santa

The countdown to Santa’s visit is officially on in my home.  My 8-year-old has already plumped up the pillows on the recliner, so St. Nick will have a comfy spot to sit before he unloads his sack and piles her gifts under the tree.  My daughter also penned a short note to Mr. Claus welcoming him to our home and inviting him to nosh on the cupcakes she is leaving out for him. Yes, cupcakes. This year we are deviating from the traditional sugar cookies because my child has deduced that it would be barbaric for Santa to chomp on … Continue reading →

Keeping the Santa Spirit Alive

Conversation during carpool last week: My 6-year-old daughter: I can’t wait to tell Santa what I want for Christmas at the mall. My daughter’s five-year-old friend: That’s not Santa. Daughter: I know. The real Santa lives at the North Pole. Daughter’s friend: There is no Santa. He’s not real. Daughter: Yes, he is. He is real! Daughter’s friend: No he isn’t! There’s no such thing as Santa. Me: DEER!! DEER!! Did you see that deer running on the side of the highway? Who can help me find the deer? That was a close one. Christmas crisis averted… for now. Uh-huh, … Continue reading →

Dad Loses It, Shoots Santa

Did hear about the dad who had it up to here with his bratty kids the day before Christmas? He apparently lost it, cancelled the family’s Christmas, and to drive home his point, went outside with his rifle and shot Santa Claus. I guess his use of the Santa threat wasn’t as successful as mine, so he took matters into his own hands. “Dad Pushed to the Edge By Warring Kids, Grabs Gun and Shoots Santa!” Now there’s a headline you don’t see everyday. It’s the stuff urban legends are made of, only this isn’t a legend; rather it’s part … Continue reading →

Santa Threat Worked Like a Charm

I’d brag more if I didn’t feel so darn guilty about it all. Okay, the guilt is not that overwhelming, but it’s enough to make my confession list. So, Santa made it to our home in the wee hours of Christmas morning. He came, he unloaded, his reindeer left carrot crumbs on the kitchen floor, and now he’s gone for another three-hundred-sixty-something days. Now how am I going to keep my kindergartener in line? For six solid weeks I relied on the big guy’s impending visit to encourage my young daughter to be on her best behavior. “Santa’s watching,” I’d … Continue reading →

Santa and the Swine Flu

Santa has one wish this Christmas: He doesn’t want to get swine flu from your kid. S.O.S. Spare Our Santa! It’s the battle cry shared by mall owners around the world. If your kid is sneezing, coughing, has a sore throat or—-GASP!-—a fever, keep him far away from Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. Lest you think this warning is just a bunch of holiday bah humbug, think again. Mall owners are going all out to save Santa from ending up in the ER this Christmas. At malls in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, Santa’s elves have a new job this year: Prescreening children … Continue reading →

Santa and Science: What Happened to Just Plain Magic?

When your kids ask how Santa Claus is able to visit every house in the entire universe in a single night, how do you respond? My young daughter could careless how Santa is able to fly around the world courtesy of aerodynamic reindeer, sort gifts, slide down chimneys, snack on cookies and deposit coal in some kids’ stockings, and still get home before the sun rises. All she cares about is that Santa delivers. Period. However, when she does get savvy enough to start inquiring about how the big guy is able to cover 200 million square miles visiting hundreds … Continue reading →

Santa vs. Generous Grandparents

Who needs Santa when you’ve got grandparents? There have been many times when I have seriously considered hiding some of the dozens of Christmas presents my parents have sent my daughter and attaching gift tags that read, “From: Santa Claus” and sticking them under the tree on December 25th. My parent’s generosity is overwhelming… not that I’m complaining (my kid sure isn’t). It’s just that it’s getting harder and harder for me… I mean Santa… to compete with grandma and grandpa when it comes to holiday gift giving. For the record I should note that my 4-year-old is very blessed … Continue reading →

The Santa Threat

It happened in a blink of an eye. I just couldn’t help myself. I don’t know what came over me. I’ve become one of those parents… a full-fledged adult who uses Santa Claus as a behavior modifier. I’ve tried to console myself by thinking of the millions of other parents who fall into the same trap this time of year. Still, I feel bad that in a moment of weakness I pulled out the Santa card and used it on my 4-year-old. The day started out so innocently. I had a list of errands to complete, including mailing out our … Continue reading →

California Fires Threaten Celebrity Homes

Once again, California wildfires are threatening homes. A fast growing fire started in Montecito, California, which is in the hills above Santa Barbara. Today, Oprah talked about the wildfires, which threaten her own neighborhood. Other celebrities who have homes in Montecito are Carol Burnett, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Costner, Ellen DeGeneres, Michael Douglas, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rob Lowe, Christopher Lloyd, and Steve Martin. Oprah said “All our prayers are with all the folks and neighbors in Santa Barbara. Hope you’re well today. And those of you who lost your homes, our hearts go out to you.” An Oprah rep said that currently, … Continue reading →