Thursday, December 25, 2014

Santa's List


By Frank Barker
 
Plantation Christmas ‘twas a dark and stormy night, but Santa was able to talk with many of his young friends, warmed by a crackling fire in the Gunston Hall schoolhouse.

After talking to Santa, the children were encouraged to put quill to paper and write a letter to Santa to remind the jolly old elf about what their wishes were for Christmas. Here, unedited, are the results of that writing assignment. Names have been converted to initials to preserve Santa/client confidentiality.

Dear Santa,
May I please have a real wooden bat.
 RC

Dear Santa,
 I would really like a hamster and a puppy.
MT

Dear Santa,
I would like Skylanders Trap Team
Sincerely,
T

Dear Santa,
For Christmas I like combat boots, a LifeProof case, and a sweater.
Sincerely,
NB

Dear Santa,
cash  skateboard

Dear Santa,
I want a Barbie please and a ferrat, apple tree, chocolate candy, toys
RL

Dear Santa,
I would lik a $100,000 dollars. [She started the negotiations at $1 million—SC ]
JC

Dear Santa,
American Girl doll
Love,
R

Dear Santa,
I really want another American Girl doll Isabelle
Love,
K

Dear Santa,
I would like a Bill of Rights, and then perhaps I will endorse this Constitution.
GM

Dear Santa,
Blocks
Hot Wheels
Books
S

Dear Santa,
 I want blocks.
Love,
J
Dear Santa,
Please give me candy
Candy
Candy!
G

Dear Santa,
MICNPEIA
SUCPFEMPKER
T

Dear Santa,
I would like a 3DS, a Mip, a Sphero, Crazy Cart, Vectron Wave from Air Hogs, and a Dino Zoomer.
Yours truly,
GW

Dear Santa,
Can I please have your signature saying I can get my ears pierced, if not a hamster (boy) please!
KC

Dear Santa,
Elmo
Books
E

Dear Santa,
I want smelly markers and a casel

Dear Santa,
Siihg soing brd for chrismis
K

Dear Santa,
I would like a Derek Jeter rookie card and a Mariano Rivera rookie card.
From
N

Dear Santa,
Can you brin me inething
G

Dear Santa,
May I have Spiderman and Ninja Turtle for Christmas?
D

Dear Santa,
I would Sofia the first dress and book and a Doc McStuffins book.
From,
E

Dear Santa,
A skatbord and a viteyo gam
Anonymous

Dear Santa,
Air hogs Skylander Trap Team
A

Dear Santa,
I cant wait until you com to my house!
Love A

Dear Santa,
I would really like nailpolish (in verius colors), a new phone case (in varius colors, and styles), and a pomsky. [Santa had to do research to learn that a pomsky is a dog with a Pomeranian father and a husky mother. Who knew?—SC ]
Love,
KW

Dear Santa,
I want a blue skateboard for xmas.
Anonymous

Dear Santa,
Pokemon card
H

Dear Santa,
I don’t know what I want, but I think you will know best. Maby I want the newist warrior cat books. Pleas give my little sister a rainbow armadillo webkins.
Love,
AH

Dear Santa,
I would like a camra and a rotin log. Doll cloth. A yelo camra
Anonymous

Dear Santa,
I would love to have Skylanders for Christmas.
From,
EK

Dear Santa,
Streat hocky and 22 chickens
yoour
friend
K

On December 21, 1773, George Mason also wrote a letter from Gunston Hall, not to Santa, but to his friend and neighbor George Washington, just up the river at Mount Vernon. He closed the letter:
“I heartily wish Mrs. Washington & you a merry Christmass, & many, very many, happy New-Years; and am, very sincerely, Dr Sir yr. affecte, & obdt. Servant. G. Mason”

We here at Gunston Hall wish you the same.