Father Santa

I didn't plan on telling Sera the tale of Father Santa. Not at all. As children, my brother and I were always given a more religious view of Christmas, one without the fantasy. Definitely not the tale of Santa that travelled the world, with his team of reindeer, to deliver gifts for children (only the good ones!).

So with Christmas approaching, I shared with Sera the Christmas story (the only one I've known as a child) and she was curious, as with all new stories. We even have a little ceramic nativity scene that sits on the table, and Sera had exclaimed excitedly at 'baby Jesus', nestled in the crib. I was glad that she was experiencing Christmas in a more real and meaningful way.

Then a few nights ago, I told her the story about Santa. I now cringe slightly at the whole episode. She wanted me to tell her a story and I, being in a festive mood, impulsively told her the tale that was never uttered to me as a child. At first, I started off warily, and then when I saw her big eyes widen to saucers, I got carried away and the story got more fantastical. Oh dear. I went to bed that night and thought about Santa, about how Sera was so charmed by the whole story and how she so easily believed that he was going to come by on Christmas eve night to deliver presents for Yasmin and herself. It was sweet and in the end, I was glad I'd played along with her imagination of Santa and his flying reindeer.

So the next morning, I discussed with mama, the idea of her 'meeting' Santa in the flash. All across Dubai, in various malls and hotels, Santa was appearing at grottos to meet with children, for a fee of course. We drove 45 minutes to this Wafi mall, bought our tickets and waited another 90 minutes (amazingly Sera stood beside me all that time, not a whisper of a whine). Finally, it was time for Sera and I to enter Santa's grotto. I was, admittedly, just as excited as Sera. The grotto was dimly lit and there was a fireplace to create cosiness but Sera was immediately taken aback and then Father Santa, who was sitting rather snugly on his plush armchair, further terrified her. I expected her reaction, it was no surprise. Father Santa tried to engage her in some conversation.

"Sera, have you been a good girl?" (hmm, talk about scripted conversation huh?)

Sera was standing a good two metres from him, her hands twisted in a ball and her face on the verge of explosive sobs. She managed a weak nod, as in 'yes'.

"What do you want for Christmas?"

Sera turned to look at me, a bit stunned about that question.

"I want you to come to my house."
"Yes, I will come to my house ... but you HAVE to tell me what you want for Christmas."

Hmm, I saw what Santa was trying to pull off. If he thought I'd be easily sucked into this age-old 'all I want for Christmas' scam, he'd be sorely disappointed! Sera shook her head, refusing to divulge anything. I knew what she really wanted and that was for Santa to drop by our place while we were all in bed.

"I will leave cookies and milk for you."
"Oh ... and don't forget, carrots for my reindeer."

Sera nodded in promise.

Our time with Santa was coming to an end and we had to take a photo with him for the evidence! Sera of course, refused to sit with him, so I had to squash myself beside him, with Sera on my lap. SMILE!

So was ALL this worth it? Yes, I think so. The story of Santa and his magical reindeer ... and then meeting him is now a part of her childhood ... one of her many rites of passage that she will have.