Being the first full weekend of the month and a member of the Iowa National Guard, it's been drill weekend. December, however, isn't too bad, as things are generally pretty laid back. We usually have a few classes, and on Sunday our entire Joint Forces Headquarters has a nice Christmas dinner with our families. Once that's completed, we usually get the rest of the afternoon off.
One thing that makes the Christmas dinner especially fun, is the fact I get to play Santa Claus (Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus). This year, I had approximately 30-40 children sit on my lap and tell me what they wanted for Christmas as their parents snapped pictures.
Here's Santa wishing my wife a Merry Christmas. For whatever reason, she didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.
I truly enjoy getting to play Santa at the JFHQ dinner each year. I try to keep the magic of Christmas alive for today's children and it's great to see the excitement in the eyes of the kids and to let them know that Santa is personally interested in each and every one of them and their wish lists. It's one thing I really look forward to each year.
With Santa being the big man on campus this time of year, it also got me to thinking about Santa Christmas cards.
Here's a pair from my non-Padres collection. The first is from the 1991-92 Parkhurst hockey set. While I was never terribly excited by ProSet and their massive print runs, you couldn't help but like their Christmas sports cards, which they produced (en masse) this time of year. This one was their 1990 ProSet football offering.
I wish the card companies would print these more often, as they made for interesting and fun collectibles over the Christmas season. Who knows, maybe I can even come up with my own game-used Santa memorabilia card once I need a new Santa outfit.
Until then, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
I remember that ProSet Santa was a big deal back when I was a kid.. kinda funny in hindsight. I meant to throw it in for 50 cents in my black friday COMC order, but slipped my mind. Someday I'll own Santa.
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