Now keep in mind my age when I say this. Times were much different back then. I would no way suggest this in 2007, but 40+ years ago, when I was at the magical age period, my parents told me that they left the door unlocked for Santa on Christmas Eve. They said he would come in, do what he had to do and lock the door as he was leaving. That made perfect sense to me, since we didn't have a chimney.
On a related note, I'd like to share my most incredible memory of being a child during Christmas. For those of you in my generation, this may apply to your childhood as well. Back then, times were much different. Things happened at a less-stressful pace, with less anxiety, more compassion and more understanding of what the holidays meant. There were no such things as a WaWa, 7-Eleven, Circle-K or whatever mini-mart type store you have in your area. Running out to get forgotten batteries or gas on Christmas day was unheard of, because everything was closed. The malls and stores actually waited until after Thanksgiving to start their Christmas advertising. In my opinion, it was a better time. Anyway, back to my story.
I was raised (I have a younger brother and sister) with the understanding that Santa did EVERYTHING as it related to the Christmas Day. Not only did Santa put gifts under the tree, he got the tree, put it up and decorated it. Any decorating within the house Santa did as well.
Picture it. You're a 5,6, 7 year old child. You go to bed Christmas Eve night, with the house looking like it did all year long. In a matter of a few hours, you wake up and the house is decorated, the tree is up and decorated, there are gifts under the tree. It doesn't get more magical than that for a child. I give my Mom and Dad a great thank you for these memories. As long as I live, I will remember those times and cherish them forever. I am so thankful for those magical moments my Mother and Father did for us kids.
They say you know you're getting old, if you live in the past. Live in past? I'd go back to it in a heartbeat.
