Wear a smile, not a frown, because Santa Claus is comin’ to town

I’ve never witnessed Santa ask one child to repeat what they’ve whispered in his ear. His hearing must be super. His memory must be pretty phenomenal, too. He remembers all the things that millions of boys and girls tell him.

Things with long names like, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Talk to Me Mikey” and “Barbie Dreamtopia Rainbow Cove Princess Castle.” He probably still remembers things I told him. Granted, Creeple People and a big, stuffed teddy bear are quite memorable.

Yep. I admit it. I once wanted to create people from goop and pencils, with a big bear named Theodore by my side. I’m not sure what that says about me. I still like people and pencils, but that’s beside the point.

The point is, my husband was cleaning out the garage and found an old newsletter called “Communication Briefings.” One of the topics was, “Why we don’t hear others.”

After reading it, I’ve come up with some reasons why I think Santa is “ear superior.”

▪  Santa is not sitting in his ornate chair trying to analyze the kid on his lap. He’s interested in what the child wants and where they plan to leave the cookies and milk.

▪  When it comes to kids, Santa does not have “selective” hearing. Although, he might when it comes to Mrs. Claus. We’ll never know.

▪  Santa doesn’t try to identify with kids by sharing his past experiences. If they want a three foot, stuffed bear, so be it. He doesn’t warn them that it might end up in their attic, 40 years later, suffocating in a plastic container. I’m sorry, Santa. I was clueless.

▪  Santa listens. He’s not sitting there thinking about what he wants to say next, like, “Holy Reindeer! My knee is hurting.” or “Stop tugging at the beard. It’s not fake.” He usually just says, “Have you been a good boy?” or “Have you been a good girl?”

▪  Santa doesn’t daydream about cookies and milk and long winter naps while the kids are spouting off their lists. At least, I don’t think he does, because it seems most kids get what they ask for. And, they only have to tell him once.

Like I said, Santa has good ears. And he remembers everything. So, appreciate your gifts and share them. Don’t ignore them and stuff them away. Be good, not bad. Be nice, not naughty. And wear a smile instead of a frown, because Santa Claus, is comin’ to town.

This story was originally published December 12, 2016 at 3:05 AM with the headline "Wear a smile, not a frown, because Santa Claus is comin’ to town."