I still believe in Santa. No matter how you may try to convince me otherwise, I know he is out there. Ever since I was a kid, the “magic†of the Christmas 
season took hold of me and never let go. Despite ups and downs, good years and bad, I have always tried to celebrate the holiday season 150%. I guess I figured out the scam on the bearded white guy in a red suit fairly early on, being the last of five kids, and with a Dad that blurted out at breakfast that he couldn’t digest milk and it would give him serious gas… Hmmm, no wonder the milk and cookies left out seemed untouched. Forget the explanation that Santa was too full to have a bite after hitting 32 million homes prior to ours. My wife says her neighbor told her that Santa was shot in Luneta and she went wailing to her mom, who responded with something like “yup, she’s right!†Our own daughter had one of those dopey kids in her class a few years ago who took great pleasure in bursting everyone’s bubble and The Kid came home crestfallen and in tears as Santa didn’t exist anymore… I told her only one thing… In our home and others, if you believe in Santa, he will ALWAYS exist. On this matter I do not jest. Ever.
So many folks get put out by the holidays. The expense, the hassle, the traffic, the mindless gift-giving, the bizarre office parties, the false merriment or lack of it. But I have ALWAYS embraced it. And in my own small way, try to make 
the holidays brighter for other folks as well. So now that most of our major dinners are over, the presents are all delivered or given out, the Misa de Gallo started but not completed, and all the hubbub dying down, we prepare for Christmas Day. When I was a kid, my mom took great pains to have “Santa†wrapper, leave hay out the front door and “deer tracks,†as well as have us leave a drink and some cookies. The latter is something we still do in our home. This year it is likely to be a large red cup of hot chocolate with a cinnamon sugared stick from that nice spice shop in Serendra, together with some gingerbread cookies we made earlier in the month. This is left near the tree on a table with a whole cornucopia of holiday sweets and baked goods, just in case Santa needed more sugar.
But if it were up to me to select the night’s snack menu, I would leave a plate out with nuts (pistachios and cashews) for protein/energy and a nice ice cold Diet Coke. He could also dip into my vitamin pillbox and have a Centrum and 400mg of Vitamin E 
to keep him going at warp speed across the planet (can you imagine the wind burn on his facial skin?) and a half or whole dose of Crestor for all the cholesterol he has gained from the snacks left out by folks all over the world! And to guide Rudolph and the 8 other reindeer into a short landing strip in our backyard (I don’t think the old G.I. sheets on our roof can take the weight), we have gussied up our chocolate Labrador in a red collar and told her to keep her eyes out for a jolly old bearded guy in red Armani couture. From our home to yours, Marketman & Family, crew and pets wish you all a truly wonderful Christmas!!! Maligayang Pasko!!!
21 Responses
Dear Marketman,
Allow me to express this wish for you and your loved ones in this season of Joy and all through the New Year: “Vive bene, spesso l’amore, di risata molto!” Live well, love much, laugh often!” May HE who makes all good things possible in your life (a particularly good meal, fine wine and good friends with which to share those) continue to shower you with all the blessings you’re enjoying now in your life and much much more to come!
Merry Xmas Marketman! Your blog was a short conversation piece during our meal tonight, esp. bout the Italian wrapping paper. Nice Santa spread. :)
From our family to yours…..Merry Christmas MM, Mrs. MM and The Kid! May you and your family continue to be blessed as you are a blessing to a lot of people.
Also from my family to yours,here’s wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and wonderful Christmas!
MM,I love your chocolate-colour labrador!! She’s sooooo cute!
Marketman,
Merry Christmas to you and your family from my family here in Korea. God bless.
Doddie
Merry Christmas! We look forward to more interesting posts this 2007!
Merry Christmas!
A Blessed Merry Christmas to you too Marketman and family and the rest of your household, and to your readers. Happy yet easy eating for the holidays! :)
Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy Prosperous New Year to you and your family!
Maligayang Pasko to you and your family MM! The pleasure of reading your wonderful blog across the miles is such a gift!
I used to have to hurry to my sister’s home before Christmas Eve because my son was afraid Santa can’t come to our home without a chimney. He believed Santa can’t come through the door. I always had 2 presents for him, one from me & one from Santa. Once, I had to hurry back home before midnight bec I forgot the other present at home fron Santa. Memories… Maligayang Pasko at Manigoong Bagong Taon, Mr& Mrs MM, the Kid & Crew from my family in sunny California, USA!
Merry Xmas from HK, just about to have xmas breakfast, and it’s a gorgeous morning here in the territory. We’ve exchanged gifts, and Santa brought us special roasted coffee from Seattle, and ballet tickets for the Nutcracker tonight. Shared with my “sisters” your gingerbread pictures and they are now enjoying the other posts! 2 more fans!
ya’ll havea merry christmas!
len from texas
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
MarketMan, Mrs. MM & The Kid,
However problematic, frantic, busy, harrassed, or even depressed I am, Christmas never fails to make me happy. And knowing there are people out there like you, who celebrate the season to the fullest without ever forgetting its true meaning, keeps me from becoming cynical about the holidays. I hope you’re having a Christmas filled with wonder, peace, joy, and love!
Merry Christmas to you Marketman & Family….I know God will always bless you for you have a good heart and brings happiness to your readers around the globe thru your site…Again Happy Holidays…..
Merry Christmas MM and family!
I seem to be in the spirit of christmas as well. Thanks to my son. On christmas eve we made sure santa had milk and cookies to eat when he comes to our home. A few stick of celery and carrots and a bowl of water for the reindeers.
It’s nice to feel the warmth that christmas brings.
Merry Christmas!!!
Maligayang Pasko at Manibagong Bagong Taon!!!
It’s been over a year I guess since I learned of this site and you can count on me on continuing in visiting and supporting this beloved site!
naragsak a paskua yo amin from La Union! thank you for sharing with us your talent and passion. you have touched peoples’ lives – unintentionally or intentionally.
looking forward to a better year. God bless you and your family!