SANTA POST

A last-minute letter sends Santa scrambling to find just the right gift.

Actually, Amy’s letter drops down Santa’s chimney five days before Christmas. But before he can rescue it from the fire, a hole burns right through the spot where she specifies what she wants. Maybe the busy elves can figure it out? Or Mr. Polar Bear? Or maybe the reindeer? No, a box of coal (it’s all that’s left on the shelves), a huge scarf, and a fat carrot just don’t seem quite right for a girl on the “nice” list. Still, when time runs out, Santa gathers up what he has—and by the time he arrives in Amy’s snowy yard he has an idea. Christmas dinner at the North Pole is capped by her thank-you note for all the snow (just what she had asked for!) and the wonderful snowman. The contents of Amy’s letters (one looking singed, the other food stained) and the three gift packages are concealed beneath big, reasonably sturdy flaps. Amy and Santa are White in the cartoon illustrations. The tiny elves are diverse in skin color.

A holiday toast to thinking outside the (gift) box.