Hubby's debut as Santa Claus

I have been so busy with getting things in order after moving back, that I have never had the chance to properly peruse our Christmas photos until now. As is always with children, we have many cute shots of the kids, but there is one particular picture that particularly made me laugh.

It has been tradition in Germany that my MIL's family spend Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) at my home for our dinner and Bescherung (exchange of presents). Santa does not leave your presents under the tree. He visits you after dinner and hands it right to you!


Such is the importance of Santa's presence on Christmas Eve, that there are rent-a-santa services available. Instead, my step-FIL has assumed the role for the past three years, and my children (except for Big M) have been none the wiser. They never recognised their Opa under the costume, nor did they ever question their Opa's absence during our Bescherung.


This past Christmas was different. We spent it in Canada, which meant that Opa was not available to play pretend. Hubby, being the token 'white' male in my predominantly Filipino family, had no choice but to take over.


After dinner, hubby and I rushed upstairs, dressed him in a Santa costume, stuffed it with a pillow and blanket, grabbed a duvet cover to act as Santa's gift sack, and proceeded to get hubby outside our front door before the kids could notice we were gone. I told hubby to count to ten slowly, shut the door, and ran back to the kids.


Ten loooong seconds later, there came three loud knocks from the front door. Surprised, the children ran excitedly to receive our new guest. And then came the funny shot:




Big M, being 10, already knew about our plan. She was integral in keeping her siblings occupied whilst Santa got ready. She still could not help laughing at the site of her Papa. Lil' M shrieked with joy. Big J's reaction in this picture is classic! He was genuinely afraid! I suppose it did not help that hubby's Santa looks nothing like the Opa Santa.


We welcomed Santa into our living room, where he asked us if we have all behaved, asked us to sing a song for him, and announced he had presents for us. Each of us took a turn to pose for the camera with Santa, who was growing increasingly rosy in his cheeks under the pillow, blanket, fake beard and cheap polyester costume. Then Lil' M and Big J started to ask questions...


Where is Papa?
He's upstairs, hon. But don't go up there! He's poo-pooing and it is reaaallllly stinky up there!


Why is Santa wearing Papa's shoes?
What?!?! Oh! You know how Lola and Lolo get really angry when you walk around with dirty outside shoes in the house? Santa left his boots outside and borrowed your Papa's shoes so that Lola and Lolo won't be mad at him! (Thank goodness the kids didn't go outside to check!)


Why is Santa's beard moving?
Oh look! Santa got you a nice remote-controlled car!!!


All in all, hubby's debut went well. The kids accepted my answers and distractions as such for the evening. I wonder if it is slowly becoming time to hit Lil' M and Big J with the truth?