Favorite Holiday Memory Blog Hop

11/15/2019

Today I'm joining Elaine Kaye to celebrate her newest picture book, Sleigh Ride with a tale about my favorite holiday memory. (It can be about any winter holiday, but since I grew up celebrating Christmas, that's all I have to pull from.)

One memory about Christmas I have that I wouldn't say is a favorite memory, but it is one that makes me laugh. Every year, my siblings and I would get a call from Santa. He'd ask us what we wanted and would chat with us. As you can imagine, that was super exciting. Until we got older and wiser and figured out who was really calling. I remember getting the call and realizing it was my grandpa calling. Which I pointed out. When "Santa" disputed me, I insisted. No, this was Papa. I recognized his voice.

I have to wonder what went through my grandpa's (and parents) mind. Was he sad this innocent tradition was over since I was the youngest in the family? Compared to my siblings, was I faster or slower on figuring it out? I don't recall my siblings saying anything about Papa pretending to be Santa, so I figure Mom and Dad must have told them not to tell me. Unless I was the first to figure it out among my siblings. Maybe one day, I'll ask my parents those questions.

Do you have a memory to share about the holidays? After snagging Elaine's book, don't forget to hop around to the other participants below.

New Picture Book Release from Elaine Kaye:

BLURB:
On Christmas Eve, Gregory and Sammy get a special visitor—Santa Claus! Santa brings them on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure around the world and to the North Pole. Bundle up and come along for the ride!

General Age Range - Kids 4-8 (Story Picture Book)

Book Links: Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Smashwords / Goodreads

Plus, a freebie!

Get Pea Soup Disaster now!
Kindle / Nook / Kobo

About the Author

Elaine Kaye is the author of A Gregory Green Adventure series. She created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup.

Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher's assistant in elementary schools. She currently lives in Florida, but has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home.

Find her online: Website / Goodreads / Amazon / Instagram / Facebook

And don't forget to hop around to the other blogs participating:

12 Comments

Chrys Fey link

11/15/2019 07:39:14 am

A memorable Christmas counts. I suppose we should've used the word "memorable" in the blog hop question, too. lol

You got calls from Santa! I feel cheated! I wrote to Santa and I remember getting a postcard back from him one year. I cherished that, but a phone call would've made me believe FOREVER. If my Grandpa did it, I don't think I would've guesses, but I didn't see him that much growing up.

Elaine Kaye link

11/15/2019 07:46:35 am

I remember being sad when the traditions like that were over when my youngest (Chrys) grew out of it all. But that was a really sweet thing for your grandpa and parents to do. :)

Diane Burton link

11/15/2019 08:30:27 am

What a cute memory. That was such a great thing your grandpa did. Were you disappointed when you figured out he was "Santa"?

Rebecca Douglass link

11/15/2019 08:56:06 am

That was a clever idea your parents (or grandpa) had! Do ask your mom about it! I don’t remember ever believing in Santa, though we talked as though he were real, and got presents marked as being from him (which we knew perfectly well were from Mom and Dad).

sherry fundin link

11/15/2019 10:53:52 am

that's funny chrys, memorials. i enjoyed your memory and love that your grandpa played santa. i'm sure it changed everything once you figured it out because, to me, it's especially about the kids. BUT life goes one. they knew it was coming. LOL
sherry @ <a href="http://www.fundinmental.com/"> fundinmental</a>

Juneta Key link

11/15/2019 11:41:14 am

What a cute memory. It was probably great fun for papa too, lol.

Beverly Stowe McClure link

11/15/2019 11:59:07 am

I believed in Santa for a long time because one night we'd just gone to bed and someone tapped on my window. And, I saw this face, looking in. White beard, red hat. It was Santa, I rushed to the window and we talked for a while. Then he told me to go to sleep and he was gone. I was almost grown before I figured out who Santa really was. And I still believe.

L. Diane Wolfe link

11/15/2019 12:15:00 pm

I think it's cute he pretended to be Santa. You need to ask your family how it all came down.

Toi Thomas link

11/15/2019 04:32:21 pm

That's so cute. Santa wasn't a big deal in my house growing up, but I always enjoyed watching my friends write their letters and having the anticipation of wondering what they'd get for Christmas. I never heard of anyone getting a call from Santa though. I bet, for a while there, it felt magical. Thanks for sharing.

Liz A. link

11/15/2019 05:43:52 pm

Well, that was simpler than trying to create a footprint near the chimney. And a great way to figure out what you all wanted for Christmas.

Kate link

11/17/2019 08:49:24 am

What a lovely thing for your grandfather to do. My kids still pretend to believe in Santa because they like getting Christmas stockings on Christmas morning, but it's been a long time since they really did.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren link

11/18/2019 02:03:38 am

Maybe you were the first to figure it out! Great memory :-)