Wishing For A White Christmas

From: Colin McCallister <xmasluvr420@aol.com

Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 11:07 AM

To: Santa Claus <jollybigred@realnorthpole.com>

Subject: Christmas Miracle

Dear Santa,

I can’t believe that I found you online, I guess you have adapted with the times. You probably have a deal with Amazon, don’t you? Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me = ). Either way, I found discovering that you had an online presence quite impressive, not altogether unexpected given the state of the world, but impressive, nonetheless. Anyway, I’m sorry, I know you must be ridiculously busy, especially tonight, so I’ll get straight to it.

My name is Colin McCallister. I am in my forties, a little old to be believing in Santa perhaps, but when I saw this opportunity, I could not pass it up because I need a Christmas miracle, maybe more than ever. A little over a month ago, I made a stupid mistake that cost me my job, and with it happening just before the holiday season, you can imagine how difficult it has been to conjure up some Christmas cheer. Melancholy holidays are nothing new to me, my grandmother passed away just before Thanksgiving four years ago and we lost my aunt last Easter, but something seems different this year...more desperate. First off, let me clarify, I’m not asking for a job for Christmas, it was a mistake of my own making, and I believe that a valuable lesson came out of the whole ordeal. Since I committed the crime, I will do the time, so to speak, and get another job soon enough. My Christmas wish is simple. I want a white Christmas. I know it sounds hokey, perhaps even cheesy, but that’s what I want.

The reason I ask for this is simple too. I have never had a white Christmas in the twenty plus years that I have been living in Pennsylvania, off and on, since my family and I moved here from California. I know. Tragic, right? Don’t get me wrong, I have seen a light dusting of snow on the ground on Christmas morning, maybe with some flurries flying through the holiday air, but that has never been the picture that I see when I think of a white Christmas. In my mind, I envision a healthy layer of snow on the covered wooden bridge over the creek by our house or the tall, noble evergreens and the skeletal branches of the humongous oak and maple trees wearing a fresh winter coat.

Personally, I think it might be a conspiracy. I imagine you may find that a bit of a reach but hear me out. Consider that several years ago, I moved to Massachusetts for two years, somewhere that should have all but guaranteed the magical holiday ingredient that has always eluded me, but ended up suffering through two holidays that could only be described as tropical with temperatures up in the seventies. And, as if to add insult to injury, one of those two years a winter storm dropped six inches of fresh powder on my parent's house on Christmas Eve. They sent me pictures that could have been on Hallmark greeting cards. Now I ask you? What kind of happy horseshit is that? A cruel joke from the universe? I tend to think so. I’ve always wanted to say, Merry Christmas surrounded by rolling white hills, not Mele Kalikimaka under a clear blue sky! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against nice weather, but to me, there's nothing Christmasy about that.

I apologize for my earlier language, I just realize that time is growing short if I am to be granted my Christmas miracle, and I believe it is in your power to grant such a miracle. Earlier weather reports showed my area with a chance at snow on Christmas Day, so even with everything going on, I still held out a glimmer of hope for that special element. However, more recent reports show a practically zero percent chance of a winter storm. I truly need some Christmas magic, Santa. The same magic in holiday movies that brings a mother home from a long, arduous journey to see her children, that brings families back together after epic, bitter arguments, that changes a person from a cruel old miser to a generous, giving soul, the kind that reminds everyone of the spirit of Christmas.

Normally I would need no such reminding since Christmas is by far my favorite time of year, and with good reason. My family always makes a delicious prime rib for our special dinner, and my dad always roasts it to perfection with the crispy, lightly charred outer layer, and the juicy pink center. Our dogs, Spike and Harley always look forward to the bones. Our fondness for prime rib has made it something that we have since adopted for other special occasions as well, but it will always be a Christmas tradition. I’m not really sure why, but for the first time since I was a moody teenager, holiday cheer is nearly nonexistent. I have tried everything that I can think of, from watching all the great holiday movies like It’s A Wonderful Life, several versions of A Christmas Carol which is my dad’s favorite, Scrooged, my favorite version of the Charles Dickens classic, and Die Hard, I do believe it to be a Christmas movie, to enjoying extra helpings of holiday treats like eggnog, my favorite seasonal drink, and pumpkin rolls. My diet is sure to suffer. I even resorted to wrapping all of my gifts before my usual desperate scramble on Christmas Eve in an attempt to give myself a holiday jump start.

I did come close to experiencing the usual joy that accompanies the holidays on two occasions since I lost my job, but life has sapped that feeling out since. The first came when my girlfriend Violet, one of the most amazing women on the planet, and I visited Castle Noel, a Christmas museum in Ohio with her oldest daughter Elyssa, her son-in-law AJ, their daughter, Evalina, her youngest daughter Ireland, and Ireland’s boyfriend Dylan. We had a great time, full of nostalgia, seeing the costumes, set pieces, posters, and other memorabilia from great holiday movies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, and A Christmas Story. I even slid down the slide from the film! The second was when it snowed during light up night in our little town. We got some great pictures that I am giving as gifts this year, and I slowly danced with the love of my life under the flakes of gently falling snow. I wish to have another magical night like that this Christmas.

Between you and me, I am planning to propose to this wonderful woman tomorrow morning. I know that you wouldn't be able to help me with that because magic doesn't work that way, but if you could send out some good thoughts for me, that would be awesome! She truly is the best thing that has ever happened to me!

I realize that I have rambled on for a bit, but I wanted to make sure that you understand why, and just how much I need this. Please, Santa, will you grant me my wish? Will I get my wish of experiencing a white Christmas for the first time?

Sincerely,

Colin McCallister

From: Santa Claus <jollybigred@realnorthpole.com>

Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2025 12:03 AM

To: Colin McCallister <xmasluvr420@aol.com>

Subject: Re: Christmas Miracle

Dear Colin,

Look outside! Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Santa

P.S. - You're right about magic not working that way, but I think you might have a magical day in more ways than one. ; )