Our school hosts an annual Christmas Craft Fair the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Several ladies work February through November handmaking hundreds of beautiful holiday decorations and gifts. I joined a group of teachers one night and we helped finish up a few crafts. These ladies are super talented and so creative!

Aside from the crafts, there is a cafe and coffee bar set up in the canteen. (I got a delicious peppermint mocha!) Santa also makes an appearance.

I was asked to be one of Santa’s elves at the fair. David was sort of “voluntold” to be an elf with me. He wasn’t so sold on the idea at first, but I think he secretly knew he would like it!

We told all of the kids that Santa was coming in true elf style: “Santa’s coming! I know him!” All of the craftiness was happening on the first floor of the school. A few minutes before Santa went downstairs, we peaked over the railing with him at the kids. We sang, “You better watch out, you better not cry! You better not pout, I’m telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town.” Then Santa ho ho ho’ed and we escorted him to his spot.

I had a Miracle on 34th Street moment when our Santa spoke Turkish to some children! We’ve see a few Santa decorations around the mall, but ours was one of the very few real live Santas in Turkey. By the way, did you know Saint Nicholas was from Myra, part of modern day Turkey?

We had a lot of fun getting into the Christmas spirit by elfing (elving?). And we’re super excited to celebrate Christmas with our students this Friday!