Last day...

Well, that was my last day as Father Christmas. I got to work with Talia again, which was cool. She's nice.

First, the bad stuff. ( Read more... )

After I finished at Preston, I headed out to Roxburgh Park to privately Santa for a family. That was fan-bloody-tastic. Everyone was well into it and the kids had a ball. It was a tradition for the mum - her dad used to organise them a Father Christmas a few days before - and she wanted to keep it going for her kids. I spent an hour there and got presents, too! It really was a delight and an honour to get to share in the family's Christmas tradition.

Then, still wearing the borrowed Santa suit, I drove to their friend's place in Deer Park. The drive was great fun, got some excited kids waving at me and from now on they'll know that Father Christmas drives a 1970's Holden. Got a few excited adults waving, too. hehe

Deer Park was for a three-year old girl who was gobsmacked when Santa just walked into the house. "Oh no! I thought I'd get in early while you were out," playing up that I thought they'd already be at church. Not sure how long I was there, but it was a while. That was great, too.

What can I say? If someone had told me how almost universally great the kids would be, I wouldn't have believed them. All up this has been the best Christmas I've had in a very long time. Since Dad died, each Christmas has just been another year without him in my life. But being Father Christmas helps fill that void. When I think about it, it's the sort of thing my dad would have liked to do. Shame he never had the chance but I know he'd love that I'm doing it.

So Merry Christmas to all of you reading this. Hope you have a wonderful day.

And Merry Christmas, Dad.