Hello….I am Baby Santa Claus.  My job here at VIA as Christmas correspondent, is to share the joys of living in Vancouver at Christmas time.  I am however, limited to the the trips which Mr. Choy brings me on.

Last weekend on a trip to Kerrisdale, we stopped into Hills for Sue Choy who was looking for a new pair of boots.  Usually when I’m out with Mr. Choy, he drags me around by my hand, but Mrs. Choy is a little more self conscious, so I am usually confined to Mr. Choy’s stuffy coat.

I only wear red and white, so I know very little about Hills Boutique,other than they have been selling cardigans to teenagers since the invention of the spin top.

Mr. Choy was unusually quiet, the only I could really hear was mumbling of ‘I know..I know …best behaviour or no Christmas cake..’  I usually enjoy these quiet moments, free of the constant ramblings, the monologues, the silly rhetoric questions, but I felt something different today, so I peered between the buttons of his coat and couldn’t believe my eyes:

The store was littered with Baby Santa Clauses, and suddenly…..I didn’t feel so alone.

My life as Baby Santa Claus hasn’t been perfect. I was once a very productive elf, elf of the week twice actually, but a few bad decisions and a ton of rum balls, has more or less led me to my current life in Jef Choy’s closet.

The joy I felt was so uplifting, it was like I was flying.  Up up and away!  And onto the shelf right next to another baby Santa Claus.  I thought I must be dreaming until I heard Sue Choy say,

‘You couldn’t leave that at home…could you.’

As I sat on the shelf, with a wink, Jef whispered, ‘Be good baby Santa Claus, I’ll be back for you in a couple hours’.

The bonding and sharing with the other baby Santa Clauses was unforgettable.

I’m sure this Hills Boutique will be making all sorts of dreams come true in the form of Ugg boots and Cowichan-like sweaters, but they gave me so much more.

Thank you Hills Boutique for making my Christmas by giving me hope and friendship…. something I am in dire need of.  For I….am Baby Santa Claus.

OK…on this note…I think I need a break from posting….MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!