Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney...

It was Christmas Eve. The children had hung their stockings by the fireplace and were all snug in their beds. Sometime during the night, they were visited by a big, jolly, old man dressed in red. You got it, it was Santa Claus!

Santa and his bright red toy bag came down the chimney. This was his last stop of the night. First, he filled each stocking with special treats. Then, for each child, he left some gifts.

"A new bike for Suzie," said Santa, pulling a beautiful pink bicycle out of his bag. "And, a train set for Billy." By the time Santa was finished his work, he was a little hungry. He spotted a glass of milk and a plate of goodies, sitting on the kitchen table.

"I'll just take one," said Santa, reaching for a piece of chocolate cake. "If I eat too much, I might get stuck in the chimney on my way out." The cake was so gooey and so good that Santa just had to have another slice. Soon, the plate was empty.

"Oh my!" said Santa, realizing what he had done. "I'm so full now!"

Santa got up from the chair. As he did, he heard it snap in two.

"Oh my!" said Santa again. "I've broken the chair!"

Santa gathered up his bag and went over to the chimney. With a twinkle of his eyes and a twitch of his nose, up the chimney he rose. However, he was only able to get halfway up the chimney before he got stuck. He tried to go further, but the further he went, the more he got stuck.

Oh no!" said Santa. "I'm stuck!"

No matter what Santa did, he could not get out. He dangled in mid-air with his big black boots hanging over the fireplace. "I'm glad there is no fire on right now," said Santa, after a few hours had gone by. "My feet would get pretty hot!"

Morning soon came. Suzie and Billy were quite anxious to go downstairs and see what Santa had brought them. They both went into their parents bedroom.

"Merry Christmas!" they shouted.

"Merry Christmas, children!" Mom and Dad said.

Within a few minutes, the whole family was downstairs. Suzie spotted the empty plate. "Santa Claus was here!" she exclaimed. "And, he ate all the goodies."

Billy noticed the broken chair.

"Yeah," he said. "He ate so much that he broke the chair."

Dad was by the fireplace. He had just placed some kindling into it and was about to strike a match, when he just happened to look up. He saw a pair of big, black rubber boots hanging down.

"That's nothing children!" Dad said, tugging on one of the boots with all his might. "Santa is still here!"

The children rushed over to the fireplace. They helped Dad pull Santa out of the chimney. They tugged and tugged and tugged. Finally, down came Santa, with a crash.

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" he rang. "Merry Christmas!"

He was gone in a flash, this time, out the front door.

"What was all the commotion about?" Mom asked, coming out of the kitchen. "Oh, it was just Santa Claus," laughed Billy. "He was so fat from eating all your baked goods that he not only broke the chair that he was sitting on, but he also got stuck in the chimney!"

The whole family laughed.

A heavy thump, thump, thump was heard on the roof of their house and then a jingle, jingle, jingle and finally, a "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!"

Written and Copyrighted By Unknown Author

Holiday Shopping...The Longaberger Way!

Our famous handcrafted Longaberger Baskets are just the beginning. You will also find a complete selection of beautiful Longaberger Pottery, colorful Fabric Accessories, sturdy Longaberger Wrought Iron pieces, Basket Liners, Protectors and our striking So Rachel™ line of Longaberger jewelry, Longaberger Purses and accessories...and so much more! 

We would love share more details about these wonderful products with you. Please check out our store items in my eBay store or you can email me for a free Longberger catalog. If you would like to have a free catalog mailed out to your home please let me know. I will mail one out to your home free of charge.

Please enjoy our commitment to incredible premium quality and craftsmanship....American Made in the USA!

Looking For More Holiday Gifts? You can find them here: Featured Catalog, Baskets & Accessories, Collectors Club, Pottery, So Rachel Jewelry, Tabletop, Candles, Wrought Iron and Homestead Online and Factory Store Online

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Who Stole The Christmas Cookies?

      My brother Joey and I had just finished hanging our stockings by the fireplace one Christmas Eve, when the most disturbing thought crossed my mind.

"Joey!" I shrieked. "Did you know that we forgot something?"

"No we didn't," said Joey crossly. "We've got both our stockings hung up. What could we possibly have forgotten?"

"We forgot the cookies," I explained to my seven year old brother, who happened to be older than me and who also happened to be more selfish than me.

"Cookies!" Joey laughed. "Why would you want to have cookies just before you go to bed?" 

"They aren't for me silly," I declared. "They're for Santa Claus."

"Oh my!" Joey suddenly clued in. "Mom! Mom! We forgot to leave a snack for Santa! He'll never leave me the racing car set if we don't leave him a snack. How could we have forgotten something so important?"

Mommy came running into the family room. She had flour allover her face and in her hair. She looked very funny. "Children!" she cried. "What is all this screaming about? I've got to finish my pies. This had better be important."

"Oh Mommy," I said very seriously. "We forgot something."

"Now Missy," Mommy said, a bit impatiently. "What did we forget?"

"We forgot Santa's snack," Joey and I cried in unison. "Oh my!" sighed Mommy. "Santa's snack! How did we ever forget that? Come on children, let's go into the kitchen."

Joey and I followed Mommy into the kitchen. We both sat down at the table while she got out the milk and poured Santa a big heaping glass full. Then she went to the pantry to get the cookie jar and she set it on the table. "Now," said Mommy. "You two each pick out a cookie for Santa and put them on the saucer."

I let Joey pick out the first cookie. Very carefully, he took the lid off the ceramic jar and set it on the table. He reached deep into the jar and then he let out the loudest scream that we had ever heard. "There are no more cookies left!" he cried.

"That's impossible!" Mommy said, as she picked up the cookie jar and examined it. "I just baked a fresh batch this afternoon. Where could they be? Who stole the Christmas cookies?"

Just then, Daddy walked into the kitchen. He had a plate full of Christmas cookies in one hand and an empty glass in the other. "I just came up to get another drink of milk," he said as he walked over to the refrigerator. "These cookies are really great!"

Mommy dropped the cookie jar onto the floor. "No!" she cried. "Don't eat those cookies! We need them for Santa Claus!"

Daddy gladly gave up his cookies for such a worthwhile cause when he saw the look of anguish on our faces. Joey and I put the cookies on the table beside the glass of milk and then we went to bed to dream of sugar plums, Santa Claus and those cookies, all night long.

Story Written and Copyrighted By Unknown Author...

eBay Sellers & Buyers w/Bad Attitudes...

Freedom Of Speech?

Wow!...What a way to start out the morning...It's been a crazy week I tell ya...Have you come in contact with an eBay Seller and/or Buyer, who is just beyond the words of calling them a "jerk", "prick" or a "major a*shole"...These certain Sellers and/or Buyers have graduated to a new level of ignorant and rude...

While "they" call it FREEDOM of SPEECH...They don't like to hear a difference of opinion from "nay sayers"...Or listen to anything that contradicts their own thoughts of the way things should be in their own visions of their "perfect little world"...They tend to have a " it's my way or the highway" kind of attitude...

But, when does it go beyond FREEDOM of SPEECH and is just plain ignorant and rude?...I mean that I really do respect people's rights to have their opinions, thoughts and have the freedom to say what they want to say...But when you start limiting peope's responses in disagreement to your own...That is where you turn a good debate into a one sided crap slinging fest, towards your favor...

This type of attitude has been really prevalent on the eBay blogs...It seems that some Bloggers/Sellers/Buyers, want to say their "peace" but, REFUSE to listen to the opinions of others...Instead they are on the defense slandering others and slamming them back with rude uncalled for comments...

This is really annoying especially when "they" have ASKED for the opinions of others...Why ask for someone's opinions or help, if you can't handle the responses that you will receive?...Seriously...

Maybe it's better to just blog your thoughts (whatever they maybe) and say what you want...Then do everyone (including yourself) a favor and shut your comments OFF...Then we won't have to see your negative responses in retalitation to our comments that we will most likely leave you...Also, you can say what you want and don't have to feel the pain of the responses that you will receive...

Seriously where does it end?...We all have our bad days and such...That is to be expected...But to take it out on almost every single one of your customers?....Do they actually deserve that?

One of the examples of this kind of attitude comes from grkg1970's eBay blog: Gene's Goods and Ebay Store...His blog is just a start of the negativity that bleeds from the very depths of mean and cruel behavior...Now he might have some really great products for sale and have his good days...But, it seems that his customer relations, is and has been somewhat undesirable and downright crude...I am really disturbed by this type of behavior...

What I am telling you is a matter of PUBLIC RECORD...It's nothing new and it's so sad to see that someone who "seems" to have alot going for them, act this way towards others...

Every negative or neutral that this seller has received was met with crude and insensitive retalliation and denial of any wrong doing...You can see for yourself what I mean, in the clickable links below....

 Negative/Neutral Feedback Received By grkg1970 

Also don't forget the one below...Courtesy of ToolHaus.org

Negative/Neutral Feedback Left By grkg1970

Let me ask you folks this question and I want some honest answers and opinions (don't worry they won't be deleted)...I value your real thoughts opinions here on my blog :)...

It's your turn...So tell me, WHY does eBay let these types of Sellers and/or Buyers stay?...What do you think about these types of incidents?...Does eBay give people the space to abuse one another with no recourse or punishment?...

Most important of all...Do you really feel that eBay is a "safe trading enviroment" as they claim it to be?...How Can it be fixed?

Happy Holidays Everyone >:0)~ 

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Holiday Shopping...The Longaberger Way!

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2007 Holiday Helper Basket Set w/Metal Sleigh Runners - Item #61446 - This basket set, complete with Basket, Holiday Botanical Liner, Protector and Metal Sleigh Runners — is a perfect last–minute gift, and your customers can start or continue their Holiday Helper™ collection. The Nature’s Garland™ Dish makes a sweet solution for decorating or entertaining. Available as a set only. Measurements: 7 3/8"l x 4"w x 2 7/8"h.Your Price $49.00. Save $20!

Nature's Garland Sleigh Dish - Item #31761POT - The Sleigh Dish coordinates with Nature’s Garland and Woven Traditions® Pottery. The Sleigh Dish, with an embossed pattern of pinecones, berries and holiday greens, fits perfectly on the Metal Runners and inside the 2007 Holiday Helper™ Basket without the protector. Fill with holiday candy or nuts. Use as a gravy or sauce boat. Serve dip on your holiday buffet. Use two Sleigh Dishes back–to–back as book ends. Available in 2 colors. Measurements: 7 1/2"l x 3 1/2"w x 3 3/4"h; 12 oz capacity. Your Price: $19.00

Processing Time For Most Longaberger Orders Can Take Up to 2-5 Business Days. Sometimes up to 7 Business days, depending on influx of orders during the holiday season. Once your order has been shipped from the warehouse. You will receive a FED EX tracking number, so you can track your order...Thank you for your patience >:0)

_________________________________________________

Our famous handcrafted Longaberger Baskets are just the beginning. You will also find a complete selection of beautiful Longaberger Pottery, colorful Fabric Accessories, sturdy Longaberger Wrought Iron pieces, Basket Liners, Protectors and our striking So Rachel™ line of Longaberger jewelry, Longaberger Purses and accessories...and so much more! 

We would love share more details about these wonderful products with you. Please check out our store items in my eBay store or you can email me for a free Longberger catalog. If you would like to have a free catalog mailed out to your home please let me know. I will mail one out to your home free of charge.

Please enjoy our commitment to incredible premium quality and craftsmanship....American Made in the USA!

Looking For More Holiday Gifts? You can find them here: Featured Catalog, Baskets & Accessories, Collectors Club, Pottery, So Rachel Jewelry, Tabletop, Candles, Wrought Iron and Homestead Online and Factory Store Online

5 Easy Ways To Deal With Difficult People...

There are people out there who are… oh, how can I diplomatically put this?... ready, willing and able to drive the sanest, most patient person on Planet Earth absolutely and positively NUTS.

Whether it’s your annoying Aunt Ethel (“When I was a girl I knew the value of a dollar!”); your curmudgeon of a boss (“I said I needed that report YESTERDAY, damn it!”), or your well-meaning but clearly misguided sister (“Shouldn’t you try bangs? You can’t see the wrinkles that way…”), the result is the same: Their insensitive, unfair or poorly chosen words make you feel like yesterday’s dinner -- rotten.

Don’t despair. With the following tips and tricks from my trusty coach’s toolkit, you’ll be able to avoid allowing difficult people get the best of you. They don’t deserve it!

In One Ear & Out The Other

Picture This: You’re having lunch with your mother, who happens to know that you’ve been on WeightWatchers for the last several months. She sees you reaching for the breadbasket. Again. She shakes her head, gives you one of her best “Do you really need that extra dinner roll, dear?” looks, and opens her mouth to let you have it (and I don’t mean the roll!).

What To Do: Instead of reverting to behavior fitting of that of a sullen teenager, try this visualization technique: Imagine a water pitcher filled to the brim with your mother’s well meaning but hurtful words. See the words being poured from the pitcher into one of your ears and out the other one. Watch the words as they drip languidly to the ground, forming a large, disorganized, and useless puddle.

Now, doesn’t that feel good?

The Main Benefit: Once you’re able to master the “I’m Not Listening; I’m Not Listening!” technique, you’ll see that words are only words. They don’t have power or control over us - unless we allow them to.

Avoid Confrontation

Picture This: Your bossy Cousin Rona is over for dinner at your house and volunteers to help you clean up after the meal. Mid-clean-up, she notices that you’re not rinsing the plates thoroughly before loading them into the dishwasher. You’re also tossing out “perfectly good leftovers” and not using enough Fantastik on the countertops. Your worst crime of all? Improperly sealed Tupperware lids. She continues to comment on your shortcomings, over, and over, and over, and over…

What To Do: Tell Cousin Rona, kindly but firmly, that while you’re grateful for and appreciative of her help, this is the way you’re used to scraping your plates, cleaning your countertops, tossing food scraps and sealing Tupperware. If she still refuses to put a sock in it, offer to let her load the dishwasher, scrape the plates and seal the Tupperware. Now you can go into the family room and put your feet up. Ahhh… that’s better!

The Main Benefit: Nipping annoying, bossy behavior in the bud not only makes you feel better, it helps you to show the world who’s really the queen of your castle (or kitchen, as the case may be) – YOU.

Use Distraction

Picture This: Your son’s Bar Mitzvah is quickly approaching and your mother-in-law has made it her life’s work to scrutinize and question each and every detail of the upcoming event, from the color of the tablecloths to the inscription on the kippahs. You’re at your wits’ end, and are having some pretty intense revenge fantasies…

What To Do: Instead of reading your mother-in-law the riot act, which will only hurt her feelings, bruise her ego and make your life worse than it already is, give her several minor but necessary tasks to perform: greeting guests at the reception; helping to check coats; mingling during cocktail hour. She’ll be thrilled that you’ve asked for her help, and you’ll be thrilled that she’s out of your hair. Problem solved!

The Main Benefit: Well meaning relatives can get under your skin, but why be cruel when it’s easier to be kind?

Don’t Take It Personally

Picture This: Your gossipy next-door neighbor sidles up to you and informs you that she’s recently seen your teenage son in town, trying to buy liquor with a fake ID. Despite the fact that you’re furious, you feel as if your son’s juvenile-delinquent behavior is none of your neighbor’s business.

What To Do: Instead of telling your neighbor where to stick it, remember: many hard-to-get-along with folks aren’t aware of the pain and emotional havoc their words and actions wreak. Like a bull in a china shop, these Nosy Nellies are blithely unaware of the damage they cause.

Your best course of action in this situation is to politely thank your neighbor for her concern, and walk away. If you act as if you care, you’re only adding fuel to her already stoked fire. Nothing annoys a gossip more than disinterest. Nothing.

The Main Benefit: The biggest mistake made when dealing with a difficult or gossipy person is to personalize the experience. Take yourself out of it, and keep in that way. You’ve got better things to do with your time than to fritter it away with idle or malicious gossip.

Reject Comparisons

Picture This: Your friend Barbara’s favorite pastime is bragging about her “amazing” daughter, Zoe. Not only does Zoe have a genius IQ, she’s captain of her school’s volleyball team, plays competitive tennis, is an accomplished violinist, and has just received a full scholarship to Harvard. Your daughter, on the other hand, a lovely but average teenager, gives you sass and yanks your chain. You hate to make resentment-filled comparisons, but it’s so hard not to.

What To Do: Consider the fact that Barbara is waxing poetic about her offspring for a reason. Maybe your friend feels as if she’s never reached her potential and is thus living vicariously through her daughter. Or maybe Barb is bragging in order to cover up the truth: That her beloved Zoe is actually failing Spanish, contemplating yet another body piercing, and has a new boyfriend named Spike, whose prison sentence is almost up. Hey, you never know…

The Main Benefit: Giving people the benefit of the doubt serves a greater purpose than making you appear holier-than-thou. It shows that appearances can be deceiving, and what you see is not necessary not what you get. Not by a long shot.

Article Written By Melissa Roske, ACC, president of Wheels in Motion Coaching WheelsinMotionCoaching.com, is a New York University Certified Life and Personal Coach, committed to helping her clients to realize their potential and to successfully attain both their personal and career-related goals. Melissa, a member of the International Coach Federation, is also an internationally published author, advice columnist and relationships advisor.

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Dealing With Stress & Depression During The Holidays...

For many individuals the holidays spark a cascade of stress and depression. Suddenly, they find themselves faced with a multitude of demands. There is shopping to do, dinners to prepare, goodies to bake and parties to attend.

Scientific research has shown most holiday stress and depression are the result of three main triggers -- relationships, finances and physical demands. Let's briefly review each of these triggers.

While many of us look forward to family gatherings during the holidays, for others it is a time of intense conflict and turmoil. Communication breakdowns occur when family members are thrust together for an extended period of time. Oftentimes, alcohol is involved which can lead to arguments and physical altercations.

On the flip side, there are many people who face the holidays alone. Oftentimes this leads to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and other stress related disorders.

Finances can cause stress any time; however, during the holidays there is additional pressure to spend, spend, spend. Everyone wants to buy gifts that will delight their friends and family, but for many people it comes with a very high price tag -- overwhelming stress and depression.

Last, but not least, the physical demands of the holidays is enough to exhaust a professional athlete. The marathon of shopping sprees, social gatherings and preparation of holiday meals can wear you out. Feeling exhausted increases your stress, which lowers your immunity and leaves you more vulnerable to illness. It's a vicious cycle.

When you're exhausted and stressed out, it's hard to stop and regroup. However, the following tips can help you take time out to reassess the situation and prevent stress and depression from taking away your holiday joy.

Plan Ahead - Many people procrastinate until the last minute. Then they hustle and bustle trying to accomplish everything in one day. Doing this causes a tremendous amount of stress that can be avoided by simply planning ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities.

Just Say NO - If you learn how to say no to projects and activities that require too much time or do not correspond to your schedule, you'll find you can significantly reduce your stress level. During the holidays say yes only to activities and projects you really want to do. Doing so can help you avoid feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

Create A Budget - Holiday shopping frequently leads to overspending. People get caught up in the holiday sales and spend more than they planned. This can lead to months of anxiety and stress as they attempt to recover from the financial setback. Before you go shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Make a list of people you need to buy gifts for and how much you want to spend on each person. Then stick to your budget.

Watch What You Eat - It's very easy to overindulge during the holidays. Before heading out to holiday parties, eat a healthy snack so you don't go overboard. Some indulgence is okay, but overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.

Acknowledge Your Feelings - The holidays can be particularly difficult for people who have recently lost a loved one or for those who aren't near their family and friends. If you find yourself feeling sad or grieving, realize these are normal feelings. It's alright to express your feelings or cry. It's unrealistic to expect yourself to be happy simply because it's the holiday season.

Take Time For Yourself - It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the holidays. However, if you don't take time for yourself, you'll quickly get burnt out and stressed out. Give yourself the gift of "alone" time. Fifteen minutes of solitude, without any distractions, may rejuvenate you enough to handle the tasks at hand. Take a walk, listen to calming music, or meditate.

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The Christmas Fairy Of Strasburg...

A German Folk-Tale

 ONCE, long ago, there lived near the ancient city of Strasburg, on the river Rhine, a young and handsome count, whose name was Otto. As the years flew by he remained unwed, and never so much as cast a glance at the fair maidens of the country round; for this reason people began to call him "Stone-Heart."

It chanced that Count Otto, on one Christmas Eve, ordered that a great hunt should take place in the forest surrounding his castle. He and his guests and his many retainers rode forth, and the chase became more and more exciting. It led through thickets, and over pathless tracts of forest, until at length Count Otto found himself separated from his companions.

He rode on by himself until he came to a spring of clear, bubbling water, known to the people around as the "Fairy Well." Here Count Otto dismounted. He bent over the spring and began to lave his hands in the sparkling tide, but to his wonder he found that though the weather was cold and frosty, the water was warm and delightfully caressing. He felt a glow of joy pass through his veins, and, as he plunged his hands deeper, he fancied that his right hand was grasped by another, soft and small, which gently slipped from his finger the gold ring he always wore. And, lo! when he drew out his hand, the gold ring was gone.

Full of wonder at this mysterious event, the count mounted his horse and returned to his castle, resolving in his mind that the very next day he would have the Fairy Well emptied by his servants.  He retired to his room, and, throwing himself just as he was upon his couch, tried to sleep; but the strangeness of the adventure kept him restless and wakeful.

Suddenly he heard the hoarse baying of the watch-hounds in the courtyard, and then the creaking of the drawbridge, as though it were being lowered. Then came to his ear the patter of many small feet on the stone staircase, and next he heard indistinctly the sound of light footsteps in the chamber adjoining his own.

Count Otto sprang from his couch, and as he did so there sounded a strain of delicious music, and the door of his chamber was flung open. Hurrying into the next room, he found himself in the midst of numberless Fairy beings, clad in gay and sparkling robes. They paid no heed to him, but began to dance, and laugh, and sing, to the sound of mysterious music.

In the center of the apartment stood a splendid Christmas Tree, the first ever seen in that country. Instead of toys and candles there hung on its lighted boughs diamond stars, pearl necklaces, bracelets of gold ornamented with colored jewels, aigrettes of rubies and sapphires, silken belts embroidered with Oriental pearls, and daggers mounted in gold and studded with the rarest gems. The whole tree swayed, sparkled, and glittered in the radiance of its many lights.

Count Otto stood speechless, gazing at all this wonder, when suddenly the Fairies stopped dancing and fell back, to make room for a lady of dazzling beauty who came slowly toward him. She wore on her raven-black tresses a golden diadem set with jewels. Her hair flowed down upon a robe of rosy satin and creamy velvet. She stretched out two small, white hands to the count and addressed him in sweet, alluring tones:

"Dear Count Otto," said she, "I come to return your Christmas visit. I am Ernestine, the Queen of the Fairies. I bring you something you lost in the Fairy Well." And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a golden casket, set with diamonds, and placed it in his hands. He opened it eagerly and found within his lost gold ring.

Carried away by the wonder of it all, and overcome by an irresistible impulse, the count pressed the Fairy Ernestine to his heart, while she, holding him by the hand, drew him into the magic mazes of the dance. The mysterious music floated through the room, and the rest of that Fairy company circled and whirled around the Fairy Queen and Count Otto, and then gradually dissolved into a mist of many colors, leaving the count and his beautiful guest alone.

Then the young man, forgetting all his former coldness toward the maidens of the country round about, fell on his knees before the Fairy and besought her to become his bride. At last she consented on the condition that he should never speak the word "death" in her presence.

The next day the wedding of Count Otto and Ernestine, Queen of the Fairies, was celebrated with great pomp and magnificence, and the two continued to live happily for many years. Now it happened on a time, that the count and his Fairy wife were to hunt in the forest around the castle. The horses were saddled and bridled, and standing at the door, the company waited, and the count paced the hall in great impatience; but still the Fairy Ernestine tarried long in her chamber. At length she appeared at the door of the hall, and the count addressed her in anger.

"You have kept us waiting so long," he cried, "that you would make a good messenger to send for Death!" Scarcely had he spoken the forbidden and fatal word, when the Fairy, uttering a wild cry, vanished from his sight. In vain Count Otto, overwhelmed with grief and remorse, searched the castle and the Fairy Well, no trace could he find of his beautiful, lost wife but the imprint of her delicate hand set in the stone arch above the castle gate.

Years passed by, and the Fairy Ernestine did not return. The count continued to grieve. Every Christmas Eve he set up a lighted tree in the room where he had first met the Fairy, hoping in vain that she would return to him. Time passed and the count died.

The castle fell into ruins. But to this day may be seen above the massive gate, deeply sunken in the stone arch, the impress of a small and delicate hand. And such, say the good folk of Strasburg, was the origin of the Christmas Tree.

Story Copyrighted and Written By J. Stiriling Coyne (Adapted)

Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus...

By Francis Pharcellus Church, Editor of the New York Sun,
in response to a letter by Virginia O'Hanlan

"We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor, I am eight years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in the Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? - Virginia O'Hanlon.

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."

More Wonderful Christmas Stories: A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS, THE TAILOR OF GLOUCESTER, OLD CHRISTMAS, MR. BLUFF'S EXPERIENCES OF THE HOLIDAYS, A LETTER FROM SANTA CLAUS, GOLDEN COBWEBS, GIFT OF THE MAGI, DULCE DOMUM,A CHRISTMAS TREE, CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING,A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BURGLAR'S CHRISTMAS, THE BIRDS' CHRISTMAS CAROL, A LITTLE WOMEN CHRISTMAS.

Longaberger™ Products NOW Available!

Holiday Shopping...The Longaberger Way!

2007 Christmas Collection Sweets & Treats Basket, Holiday Stripe Liner, Lidded Protector Set - Item #614SWTSET - Set includes Basket, Liner & Lidded Protector. The stripes on ribbon candy inspired the wide ribbons of color on the 2007 Christmas Collection Sweets & Treats Basket. The Woven Traditions® Christmas Treats Dish is specially designed to rest on top of the basket. The WoodCrafts Lid is designed to fit on the basket with the lidded protector! Protector is Dishwasher Safe. Measurements: 10 1/8"l x 6 7/8"w x 4 1/2"h; Shipping Weight: 10 lbs. Your Price $79.00. Save $12!

2007 Holiday Helper Basket Set w/Metal Sleigh Runners - Item #61446 - This basket set, complete with Basket, Holiday Botanical Liner, Protector and Metal Sleigh Runners — is a perfect last–minute gift, and your customers can start or continue their Holiday Helper™ collection. The Nature’s Garland™ Dish makes a sweet solution for decorating or entertaining. Available as a set only. Measurements: 7 3/8"l x 4"w x 2 7/8"h.Your Price $49.00. Save $20!

Nature's Garland Sleigh Dish - Item #31761POT - The Sleigh Dish coordinates with Nature’s Garland and Woven Traditions® Pottery. The Sleigh Dish, with an embossed pattern of pinecones, berries and holiday greens, fits perfectly on the Metal Runners and inside the 2007 Holiday Helper™ Basket without the protector. Fill with holiday candy or nuts. Use as a gravy or sauce boat. Serve dip on your holiday buffet. Use two Sleigh Dishes back–to–back as book ends. Available in 2 colors. Measurements: 7 1/2"l x 3 1/2"w x 3 3/4"h; 12 oz capacity. Your Price: $19.00

Processing Time For Most Longaberger Orders Can Take Up to 2-5 Business Days. Sometimes up to 7 Business days, depending on influx of orders during the holiday season. Once your order has been shipped from the warehouse. You will receive a FED EX tracking number, so you can track your order...Thank you for your patience >:0)

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Our famous handcrafted Longaberger Baskets are just the beginning. You will also find a complete selection of beautiful Longaberger Pottery, colorful Fabric Accessories, sturdy Longaberger Wrought Iron pieces, Basket Liners, Protectors and our striking So Rachel™ line of Longaberger jewelry, Longaberger Purses and accessories...and so much more! 

We would love share more details about these wonderful products with you. Please check out our store items in my eBay store or you can email me for a free Longberger catalog. If you would like to have a free catalog mailed out to your home please let me know. I will mail one out to your home free of charge.

Please enjoy our commitment to incredible premium quality and craftsmanship....American Made in the USA!

Looking For More Holiday Gifts? You can find them here: Featured Catalog, Baskets & Accessories, Collectors Club, Pottery, So Rachel Jewelry, Tabletop, Candles, Wrought Iron and Homestead Online and Factory Store Online

*Video Above is >American Soldier< By Toby Keith*

Gonna Get My Drink On...

I'm gonna get my drink on
I'm gonna hear me a sad song
My baby just left home
I didn't treat her right
Right here's where I belong
I'm gonna stay 'till the money's gone
If it takes me all night long
I'm gonna get my drink on.

Well I got some little problems
And the only way to solve 'em
Is the sure-fire way I know
And when the going gets tough,
Well the tough get goin'
To the little bar down the road.

(Chorus)
I'm gonna get my drink on
I'm gonna hear me a sad song
My baby just left home
I didn't treat her right
Right here's where I belong
I'm gonna stay 'till the money's gone
If it takes me all night long
I'm gonna get my drink on.

There's a cold barstool
For a hot-headed fool
And I'm gonna hop right to it
Or a seat a table
With a jug of black label
If a 12-pack wont quite do.

(Chorus)
I'm gonna get my drink on
I'm gonna hear me a sad song
My baby just left home
I didn't treat her right
Right here's where I belong
I'm gonna stay 'till the money's gone
If it takes me all night long
I'm gonna get my drink on.

Well Jo the bartender
She's a mighty good friender
And she likes my company
When she says "last call for alcohol"
That won't apply much to me.

(Chorus)
I'm gonna get my drink on
I'm gonna hear me a sad song
My baby just left home
I didn't treat her right
Right here's where I belong
I'm gonna stay 'till the money's gone
If it takes me all night long
I'm gonna get my drink on.

If it takes me all night long
Gonna get my drink on. Drink on, Yeah.
I'm gonna get my drink on.

Copyright © 2007. Artist: Toby Keith. Song: Get My Drink On. Album: Big Dog Daddy. Thanks to Todd Zollman for lyrics. All lyrics are property and copyright of their owners. All lyrics provided for educational purposes only.