Deck the Halls of Prana – it’s our annual Tree Trimming party. Guests are arriving, as I share with our two Santa Elves for the evening, Elf Mandy and Elf Sherie with their big ears, pointy hats, and their cutest booties! So taking a turn around the foyer I check everything twice.<\/p>\n
What goes with coffee, hot chocolate, mocha & whipped cream? It’s cookies, fruit cake, pumpkin pie, cheesecake and chocolate stirrers!<\/p>\n
In front of the fireplace, yes, there’s Santa’s throne, with a circle of seats for his loved ones. Barbie is at the piano and Christmas caroling fills the air. Our Elves are circulating greeting guests, and so begins another Tree Trimming Party at Prana, the Home of the Traveler.<\/p>\n
Deck the Halls
\n\twith smashed balls,
\n\t\tglistening on yonder marble floor.<\/p>\n
Tiny tots with sparking eyes
\n\tclutching another Christmas prize,
\n\t\tmade it safely onto the tree ever more.<\/p>\n
Our real Saint Nicholas downs the stairs
\n\tgreeted by gathered little kids’ cheers,
\n\t\tSanta! Santa! Santa! chanting in our ears.<\/p>\n
Santa Saint Nic, gathered his little brood into the large seminar room, and then
\nsat upon his chair. Pulling out a bag of candy, and a Christmas story book,
\n“One Winter’s Day.” The children sat silent at last quietly gathered, sitting at his boots
\nupon the floor, or nearby stools and chairs.<\/p>\n
Enthralled were the grown-ups’ witness to the sudden stillness, listening to Saint Nic
\nin his hushed English tones reading about the little hedgehog who lost his shelter.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, Saint Nicholas, yelled for his Elves. “Come here at once! You are
\nin charge of the candy!” as he admonished them to do their duty. Soon the kids
\nsucking on chocolate sticks gathered again, to hear St. Nic continue the story of the
\nhomeless hedgehog who was finally given a beautiful new home by all his friends.
\nLittle Grace came up to give Saint Nic (Santa) a glass of water with a cookie.<\/p>\n
And he then gathered each little boy and girl, asking them what they wanted for Christmas,
\nas they replied:<\/p>\n
“I want a scooter”. “I want a reindeer”. “A purple and pink skate board”. And we all
\ngrinned when a tiny tot asked St. Nic, “What do you have? Whatever you bring.” And
\none quiet little boy gave him a whole list of things he wanted for Christmas.
\nWith the room filled with sweetness in the air, and satisfied adults taking pictures, a
\ncouple of the young in-hearts told Saint Nic, they really wanted their next initiations.<\/p>\n