Saturday 17 December 2011

The Giant Father Christmas


The first Christmas our daughter was in her Reception year at school, they hired a hall for the Christmas party. All the parents turned up to escort the little ones on the short journey, and we arrived to a room full of balloons and decorations. The afternoon began with games, then there was cake and jelly, and this left just the present giving from Father Christmas himself.

There was only one male teacher and luckily he was absolutely perfect for the job. He was about 5 foot 4 inches tall, as round as he was tall, wore his own round steel rimmed glasses and he'd bought his own suit... it wasn't his first time! However, as the time approached there was a concerned murmur throughout the teachers that the children would be sure to know that it was him. This was when the request was made.

Would any of the Dads be prepared to be Father Christmas?

Four Dads had made it to the hall, and there was a lot of foot shuffling and looking the other way, so as always the serial volunteer, my husband, put his hand up. He was hurriedly escorted to a little room along the corridor and unceremoniously pushed inside with instructions to get the suit on as quick as he could. I stood outside to keep guard in case any rogue children got overly inquisitive.

The children themselves were lining up in the hall in front of a child size chair with a huge sack of presents beside it, waiting for the man himself to hand them out. One of the teachers called along the corridor for me to hurry him up, so I stuck my thumb up and tapped the door.

"How's it going?"

"It doesn't fit very well!"

"It doesn't matter, you'll look fine, just hurry they're all waiting for you."

The door slowly opened, and there he stood... all 6 foot 2 inches of him in a 5 foot 4 inch Father Christmas costume.

"How do I look?"

What could I say, there was no going back, and he did have the costume on.

"You look great, now go quickly everyone's waiting for you!"

I stood and watched, a little like you watch a car crash, as the Giant Father Christmas went running down the corridor, his little red trousers flapping around his shins.

I headed to the main hall, and there he was, knees up by his chest wedged into the tiny chair yo-ho-hoing and handing out presents like he'd been born to be Father Christmas with happy children filing by, smiles all over their faces. I couldn't have loved him more.

Our daughter was a little quiet when we got home, and unusually didn't mention anything about the day until I took her up to bed, whereupon she looked me deep in the eyes and asked me to promise her something.

"Of course what is it?"

"Don't EVER let Dad be Father Christmas again... he looked ridiculous!"


***

To everyone
I hope you all have a really Wonderful Christmas  xxx

27 comments:

Everyday Goddess said...

Oh I love this story!!! (that's one to submit to the newspapers in my opinion - perfect for holiday cheer!)

AND

Best Wishes to the newlyweds!!!

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Lol! Too funny. He sure was a good sport for volunteering!

Deborah said...

Thank you Goddess :o) ... and thanks for the best wishes too x

It's hard to stop him volunteering Elizabeth! :o) x

Al Penwasser said...

What a mensch for volunteering. Hmm, come to think of it, 'mensch' is a Yiddish word. So, it may not be the most appropriate.
How 'bout...what a great guy!
You may have to pay for therapy for your daughter, though.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

A wonderful story, Deborah. Your daughter is not only beautiful, but smart into the bargain. :)

Lydia said...

Oh, that is rich! All the more fun for me after seeing the picture of the three of you in your previous wonderful post. A precious family story that I am so glad you shared.

Merry Christmas, sweet friend!

Deborah said...

She was very suspicious of all store Father Christmas' for quite a while after that LOL ... thanks for stopping by Al :o) x

:o) Thank you Linda xxx

Thank you Lydia, and Merry Christmas to you too xxx

Friko said...

kids! Always ungrateful and always embarrassed by the parents.

The one good thing is that one day they'll know what it feels like!

Misterio Vida said...

hahaha... that was quite an experience ha... but i still salute him that he volunteered when there was no one else :) have a happy xmas...

Deborah said...

:o) Thanks Friko x

Thank you Muhammad, and you have a happy christmas too :o) xxx

Anonymous said...

I can just imagine him in the tiny little suit. Good on him for going through with it. Your daughter's reaction was priceless.

Have a fantabulous Christmas, Deborah xxxx

mamahasspoken said...

Love it! Though for the past few years, all the sons have said to my hubby is he would make a great santa. In fact, this past summer while walking through a local store, a mom stopped us to tell us that her son thought he was santa!

Deborah said...

Thank you Selma ... you have a fantabulous chritmas too :o) xxx

Thanks Mamma, I think it's great he looks like Santa :o) Wonderful! x

Yvonne said...

Wishing you and your(new)husband and family a very happy Christmas!!!

Deborah said...

Thank you so much Clipped Wings :O) xxx

Brian Miller said...

haha great story...i second goddess....i hope you had a marvelous holiday and a great new year tonight!

jabblog said...

Wonoderful! Thank you for the laugh - and what a lovely man your husband is.

Catherine said...

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
xo Catherine

Deborah said...

Thank you Brian ... you too :o) x

I agree Jabblog :o) x

You too Catherine :o) x

Tracy said...

Oh Deborah, that is so precious...Bless both of them!
I hope you had a very wonderful holiday!
Happy New Year!

Deborah said...

Thank you so much Tracy xxx

tattytiara said...

Oh hilarious. Bless his heart for giving it a go!

Deborah said...

Great to see you again tattytiara :o) x

Jenny said...

Such a cute story, I was tearing up and smiling at the same time...

Tell your husband thanks for being such a good sport!!!!

Deborah said...

I will :o)
Thank you Jenny xxx

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Awwwww, what a big hearted daddy to stuff his big old bode in a little suit for the children.

What a great guy...a keeper for sure!

Too bad your little princess was a wee bit embarrassed. Someday she'll look back and know what a jewel her daddy is.

God bless ya and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoyin' a glorious New Year!!! :o)

Deborah said...

Thank you so much Nezzy :o) xxx