While the Elf on the Shelf is turning into a family Christmas tradition, I’m happy that six years ago I started my own Christmas tradition, and it doesn’t include a creepy Elf watching my every move!
I take my Santa pictures very seriously. I do my research. I scope out which mall has the best Santa. If he has a real beard, he’s a top contender. Outfits must be colour coordinated and just right. My tradition started as an accident, really. It was my first Santa picture with my eldest daughter—at the time, she was only two-months old. I was so excited! I put on her beige cashmere sleeper (I know, it was a gift from my aunt who never had kids), rolled the stroller to the front of the line, and there he was! The big guy in red! They took the picture—my daughter rocked it out with no tears and, of course, I bought the most expensive package, including a pewter Christmas frame.
And so the trend began. Every year, I would keep with the beige theme—sans cashmere—and every year, the pewter Christmas frame was a must-purchase. The pictures and frames would be packed away with the decorations, and when the tree went up the next Christmas, so did they.
Six years later, I have chronicled my daughter growing up, the addition of her twin brother and sister, and all while sitting on Santa’s knee. I’m able to look at every picture and remember what was going on in our lives at that moment. The first picture showed the beginning of this amazing parenting journey. The third picture, in 2009, she is two-years old. I remember putting this picture in its frame and thinking that there should be another child sitting with her—it was a year of pregnancy loss and struggle. My favourite of all is year 2011. This would be the first Santa picture where my daughter is joined by siblings. She is the big sister I vowed she would be, and my twin son and daughter sat quietly and patiently—one on each of Santa’s knees—while their picture was taken.
This year, my five-year-old daughter sat beside me as I unpacked the pictures. Her favourite is where she’s holding her Lamby. She helped me display them, and shows everyone who enters our home. She was proud to pose with her brother and sister this year, because she knew it would be added to the collection.
I hope to carry on this Christmas tradition as long as I can. I packed the cashmere sleeper in storage and, one day, I hope to add pictures of my grandchildren with Santa. I’ll forever cherish these moments, and for now leave the stalker Elf pictures for the Facebook feeds.
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