Santa Claus Comes to Town
This time of year can get quite hectic for everyone. With so many things on our to-do lists like shopping for gifts, finalizing grades, and planning Christmas activities, it can be nice to take some time to unwind and enjoy the holiday season. Local families got just such an opportunity on Saturday, December 7, thanks to a visit from Saint Nick himself. He came all the way down from the North Pole to attend Lamar's Breakfast with Santa event, which is held annually in the cafeteria. Along with getting their picture taken with Santa Claus, children could enjoy other fun activities such as making magical Reindeer Food, having their faces painted, creating their own ornaments, playing with musical instruments, and writing letters to Santa. A delicious breakfast buffet was also provided, along with tables adorned with festive decorations so everyone would have a place to sit and relax while they enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere.
I arrived at the cafeteria early on Saturday to settle in at the Reindeer Food station, and I had the honor to talk with Santa Claus before he took his place on stage for pictures. He was as merry as his reputation suggests, and he greeted me with a warm smile and thanked me for working at the breakfast. After explaining that I was writing an article on Breakfast with Santa, I asked him what the meaning of Christmas was to him. He gave me a heartwarming answer: the birth of Jesus. “It always comes back to that,” he said. I also asked what he thought the best part of the Christmas season was, to which he answered that it was spending time with family. He then added that the best part was also being able to bring joy to so many people. He beamed with pride as he talked about how amazing it was to see others’ faces light up when they saw him. “I feel like Superman,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
The children would certainly agree. Whenever I mentioned Santa to them, they grinned and looked toward the stage with eagerness. The look on their faces and the way they talked about him with such awe and admiration definitely give him superhero-status. It was indeed very rewarding to help spread joy and the Christmas spirit, and I thoroughly enjoyed instructing the kids on how to make Reindeer Food and later helping them write letters to Santa. I loved watching each child leave the table with a huge smile and seeing them proudly show their parents what they had done.
Overall, Breakfast with Santa was a huge success. Parents and children alike seemed to have a wonderful time bonding with each other and participating in the festivities. Everyone working at the breakfast, myself included, was happy to be able to volunteer at such a cheerful event and help make the holidays even more special. Despite all the stress that everyone undergoes during this time of year, this season also gives us many opportunities to cherish what is truly important and to spend quality time with those we love. So, don’t forget to embrace the Christmas atmosphere, and make sure to leave something out for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve — Santa informed me that they love sweet treats — so they know they are appreciated too.
