Editorial: Christmas magic we can't let die

Mark Story wants to keep the magic of Christmas alive for his kids. Photo/Thinkstock

Santa came a tad early this year.

I was home with my kids a few days back when the big man arrived on our street to much fanfare.

With Hastings district councillor Kevin Watkins on point, Santa sat on the back trailer throwing confectionary at children on the footpath.

My youngest daughter, 4, was scared and elated in equal portions.

Afterwards her only comment was that Santa was "handsome".

This year, like every other, I'll continue to do my best to convince the kids the man in red is real. There's already a fat guy with a beard living permanently at their house, so it's not a hard sell.

Late Christmas Eve every year I tip our fire guard over and selflessly empty the bottle of beer on the hearth to stage Santa's midnight cameo through our living room.

Reindeer hoof marks courtesy the back of my heel are pressed into the front lawn.

It's a ruse I continue to take absolute delight in. It's crucial to keep the magic alive.

Last week we featured a story on a family whose Christmas decorations were hit by vandals. Today we heard the hearty news they had since been inundated with donations, many of them anonymous, which more than reimbursed their loss.

"Our faith in human kindness has certainly been restored," the father said.

Today the newsroom received an email from a Havelock North man who said his neighbours were now reluctant to put up decorations due to theft and vandalism of festive decor in his street on Sunday. Frustrated after adorning his home for the festive enjoyment of others for 10 years, he confessed this year "may well be the last".

Hang in there buddy. Don't hand victory to the grinches. Keep that magic alive.