That Perfect Christmas

by Tinka

My 43 year old son just stopped by with presents he had bought for me to give his wife for Christmas. He knows her tastes so much better than I do. I was surprised to see him traveling in this snowy weather. He looked like Santa Claus as he came through the door.

It appears we may have a white Christmas this year as we have already had 6 inches of snow with more expected tonight. As it is only one week until The Big Day, there is a good chance we may be having snow on the ground Christmas morning. My mind wandered back to the last time we had a White Christmas. I think that was “A Perfect Christmas”.

It was Christmas Eve 1972. My children were just over 2, 3 and 5 and Christmas excitement was high that year. I wanted it to be extra special because my son would be going into grade one the next year. Being a grade one teacher I knew that this might be the last year that all three of them would truly believe that Santa Claus would come down the chimney. Now I have always believed in Santa Claus and always will (don’t tell me any differently) but I knew that some children at 6 stopped “hearing the bell” as explained in Chris Van Allsburg’s book, “The Polar Express".

It was 7:00 in the evening, all the preparations were finished. The baking was done, presents wrapped, children were sparkling clean in sparkling new matching p.j’s. Clothes were laid out for the annual Christmas dinner at the grandparents - tiny red velvet dresses with lace sleeves for the girls and a blue (big boy) suit for Kevin.

For the first time we had TWO trees freshly cut and brought in from our trout farm at Sooke. The upstairs’ tree was decorated beautifully because that was the tree visitors would see. The downstairs' one was decorated with ornaments made by the children. You can imagine which tree was my favourite.

The children and I were sitting by the fire recording Christmas stories and songs into a large tape recorder. We recorded “Old Toy Trains“ with Glen Campbell’s help. In the background we could hear the tapping of a hammer. It sounded like elves but it was my husband putting the finishing touches on the big mountain with tracks for the electric train Santa had promised to bring. Christmas spirit was definitely permeating the air.

After a letter was written to Santa and cookies left out, three little children were tucked into bed. My husband and I, pleased with ourselves, stood looking out the window. With God as my witness it began to snow. We looked at each other and almost at the same time said, “It doesn’t get any better than this”. It was the first white Christmas Victoria had since 1945.

Christmases would come and go. Some were very good and others not but I will always have the recording of “That Perfect Christmas”.