I once wrote a letter to Santa. I trusted my Mom to send it to the North Pole for me.

I hoped Santa would think I was good (well, at least that I was good most of the time) and would give me a great present....

Drafting that letter wasn't easy. How do you begin a letter to the man who brings you toys every year? This would have to be a well thought out letter.

I wrote it down.... Probably the best thing I had ever scrawled until then.

Then, Christmas eve, I was in trepidation. Would Santa come?

My brother Jimmy and I hung up our stockings. Empty and limp now, but how would they look tomorrow morning? My brother and I were eager with anticipation!

The Christmas tree looked wonderful. It was just a plastic one, but it was still a Christmas tree. There were already a few presents under the Christmas tree which we couldn't open, and surely more were to come.

We wanted to stay up late, to see Santa. We were wondering how he would get in, because our house didn't have a chimney. Could he squeeze in through the ventilation ducts, I wondered? I wasn't sure how he did it, but he managed to get in every year!

However, my Mom and Dad insisted that my brother and I go to bed. They said if we stayed up, then Santa might not come, because we weren't being good. But if we went to bed, then Santa would come.

The next morning I woke up, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Then it registered -- it was Christmas morning!

My parents were already awake, making breakfast. Jimmy woke up too, and we rushed to the tree!

Presents! We weren't allowed to open them yet. And yes, one for me from Santa!

Of course, we shook the boxes, trying to figure out what was inside! Come on Mom, can we please open our presents now? Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaase?

There's nothing more delightful than the anticipation of ripping open a present as a kid. What new toy would it be? I hope it wasn't something boring like a nice-looking shirt! Please, make it some new game or toy!

Then, we'd spend the day playing with our toys.... What bliss!

Oh yes.... while inevitably wearing our new shirts.

And I hoped my parents liked the presents I got for them. And that Jimmy liked his present too.

(My other brother Thomas was, as they say, still a twinkle in my parents' eyes back then.... He would get the same great experiences ten years later....)

And after Christmas was over....

We had the good memories. Santa came through (though how he did it was still a mystery to me).

And I just had to wait with anticipation for this wonderful and joyous day to come around again next year!

Do you have an interesting Christmas story? Either as a child, or as an adult?

Please share it.... I'd love to hear it! :)

Dien Rice

P.S. Not every kid is fortunate to get nice presents during Christmas.... It is also a good time to give something to those in need too.