Christmas in July! Ho ho ho!
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
That sweet little tale being heard in all the dreams of all the people who worked so hard, thus far, in keeping this Resort on it's toes. Painting images of warmth and holiday cheer. For those awake they heard it too. Sounding more like a whisper, in a most friendly tone. Before their eyes, or as those who slept, gifts would appear beneath each tree. One baring the name of each individual within each cabin. The stockings hug with care, filled with essentials, and candy and a 'toy' or two. With a little note, unsigned, inside that said: From me to you, a simple thank you for the work you do.
(Alrightie guys and gals, that would be our special little Santa leaving nice presents beneath each tree. You get to decide what your character needs or wants the most(no matter the cost), going home excluded of course, and they will find that wrapped beneath the tree. In the stockings they'll find perfume (or cologne) in their favorite scent, M&Ms, new toothbrushes, razors and other important needed items, a candy cane, and a little doodad or two of your choice. Something fun! No this isn't the end of the snow, that will come in a few more days. :D give your pups a little more time to have good old fashioned fun in the pretty white stuff.)
Disclaimer: The story above is not mine it is 'The Night Before Christmas' I hold no rights, get no money from using it. It's just a favorite of mine.