Dear Children:
Christmas will be here soon. I just want you to know that I will still be coming.
I know that the Coronavirus has been with us for a long time. You weren’t able to go to school or daycare for many months. You had to do your lessons on your computer. You missed your friends. I understand.
I’m sure your Mummy and Daddy have told you about the virus. Your teacher probably has too. We don’t see the virus but it’s around. Masks are a little bit uncomfortable but please wear yours.
Keeping a safe distance from others is very important too.
Washing your hands a lot helps to protect you from becoming sick.
I know that you understand that doing all these things will help to keep you safe. You want your friends and family to be safe and well too. They’re doing the same things so you can stay safe and well too.
Your Mummy and Daddy may be working from home too. One of them may be helping you with your virtual learning. If you’re back at school, listen to your teachers and follow the rules please.
Some parents have no jobs right now. The job they did may not be safe to do until they can take a vaccine to protect them. In Canada, some help is available for people without jobs. Our country has been helping people. We’re lucky.
If your Mummy or Daddy is a doctor, nurse, or lab technician, they have been very busy during this time.
They go to work every day. Many jobs that people do could not be stopped during this time. People who are sick need to be cared for to get well. The people who do these jobs are called “essential workers.”
Many more people than just doctors, nurses, and lab technicians are “essential workers.” Your Mummy and Daddy can tell you about them.
Just like you have had your needles at the doctor before, you will need to have a needle that will protect you from the virus. That vaccine will be ready in a few months. Your parents will get one and they will arrange for you to have yours. I will have to get one too.
There are many people who we don’t know who are working day and night to make sure we’re safe. We have to be thankful for those people.
As for us at the North Pole, we have been trying to keep safe. We do wear our masks all the time. We are keeping a safe distance from others at the workshop. We use hand sanitizer and wash our hands regularly. We’re very busy putting the finishing touches on the toys. Some elves are wrapping gifts already. My sleigh needed a coat of paint. That job’s already done.
Even with the Coronavirus,the excitement and magic of Christmas is in our hearts. It’s the time when we love to give and receive gifts. We think of those we don’t remember all year. Some of us send cards to them. Sometimes we may even drop off a gift or something we made for them.
Even if your Mummy or Daddy can’t take you shopping this year,I’m sure you can have great family fun at home.
Mrs. Claus and I love making Christmas cookies together. We give some as gifts too. It would be fun to bake cookies with Daddy or Mummy before Christmas.
I’m going to share a great recipe for sugar cookies that we make. You can cut the dough into Christmas shapes and decorate.
SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Tinted frostings, colored sugars, edible glitter and nonpareils
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill until firm, 1 hour.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut out with Christmas cookie cutters of your choice. Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks.
Decorate cookies with frosting and colored sugars.
Don’t forget to make a nice Christmas card for Mummy and Daddy. You can use construction paper and all the craft supplies you have at home. You can do the same for friends and family.
Christmas is special when we share our love with others.
The Coronavirus can’t take that away from us. Even if you can’t see your friends, you can send a card or phone them. You may even be able to Zoom with them!
I’m looking forward to coming by on Christmas Eve. Be good little boys and girls until then. I have a nice poem to share with you called “Santa.”
Santa
Two merry blue eyes
A very little nose
A long snowy beard
And cheeks like a rose
A round chubby man
A big bulging pack
Hurrah for Old Santa
We’re glad he’s come back!
Sleep tight!
With love from Santa.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Merry Christmas!