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One Christmas Eve, in a small cottage deep in the Mourne Mountains, Jimmy-Joe and Rosie were drinking hot chocolate and eating mince pies. It was very cold, dark, and snowing a blizzard. They heard jingle bells outside and got very excited. They ran to the window and peeped out through the curtains. To their surprise they saw their dog Rocco chasing reindeer through the field. Rocco and the reindeer disappeared into the night!

Jimmy-Joe and Rosie ran outside and spotted Santa standing on the stone ditch with a bite mark on his bottom. Rocco thought Santa was a burglar. The sleigh was tipped upside down and the toys were scattered all over the field. Santa was freaking out. He told Jimmy-Joe and Rosie that Rocco had ruined Christmas for millions of boys and girls all over the world. Santa was panicking and didn’t know what to do.

Rosie suddenly had a great idea! She asked Santa if he had any magic reindeer food left. Santa had some in his man-bag. Rosie took the magic reindeer food and ran into the sheep shed. Her pet sheep Suzie, Snowball, Fluffy the Cloud and Cotton Bud were sleeping in the hay. Rosie woke them up and asked them if they would help Santa deliver toys to save Christmas. The sheep were very excited and ate all the magic reindeer food. Jimmy-Joe hooked the sheep up to their Daddy’s trailer and loaded up all the toys.

Santa, Jimmy-Joe, Rosie, and the magic flying sheep flew all over the world and delivered toys to the all the good boys and girls just in time for Christmas.When they got back, they found Rocco and the reindeer sitting in front of the warm fire. That is one hot dog, joked Santa. Christmas was saved.

Once upon a Christmas, Santa got sick. He decided to call the doctor, but there was no answer. So he asked the Reindeer for help.

‘'What's the matter Santa?'’ they said.

‘’I think I have Covid-19 and I need someone to deliver all the presents’’, Santa replied.

The crocodiles asked if they could help. The reindeer were suspicious of the crocodiles as they usually just ate everything, but there was one crocodile who wasn't naughty and really wanted to help. His name was Snappy.

Snappy set to work. His favourite job was polishing and cleaning the sleigh until it sparkled. He checked the naughty and nice list and made some presents.

Meanwhile some other naughty crocodiles were eating the presents. When Santa found out he put them all outside and told them not to come back. Only Snappy was left. He fed the Reindeer their magical food and went to bed early so he would be ready for Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, he had a prawn milkshake for breakfast. He was so excited and got changed into the special Santa suit!

First stop, Candyland for Gingerbread Man - he got some new buttons.

Second Stop, Snowman's house - he got some extra arms and legs.

Third stop was the Ice Queen, who was on the nice list this year - she got a box of Turkish delight.

Snappy worked hard all night and didn't give up even though he was tired.

Back at the North Pole on Christmas morning, Santa congratulated Snappy and thanked him by offering him a full-time job at his workshop. Snappy was so happy and from then on he was in charge of polishing Santa’s sleigh. His crocodile friends were very jealous and they all promised to be good next year!

Lola is our dog, almost two years old,
Her memories of Christmas are yet mostly untold.
Her first one was great, such laughter with friends,
This year is so different; so many wishing it would end.
Houses are quiet, no-one calling around.
The doorbells fall silent, not making one sound.
No carol singers offering a beautiful song.
It just seems unnatural, it just seems so wrong.
Last year Granny brought Lola a bone,
This year she only hears granny’s voice on the phone.
Last year we celebrated with food, music and dance.
This year, with lockdown, dancing “ no chance!
With family round the table, Lola was onto a winner.
This year with a small turkey planned, there will be none for her dinner.
Last year the family took her out for a walk,
But this year the plan is to sit on Zoom and just talk.
Granda is gone and Lola is not sure why,
The family is sad and father may cry.
When Lola gets out we often go for miles,
But friends look like strangers as we can’t see their smiles.
When people meet there’s no handshake, hug or kiss,
2020 has been a year of doom and gloom, one that no one will miss!
When us children sat down and wrote Santa his letter,
We hoped he stayed well and prayed the sick would get better.
Hoping that Christmas will remain we have asked,
Dear Santa, can you socially distance and wear a mask?
However, the spirit of Christmas is not gone.
Every single one of us has hope that stretches beyond the turkey, the presents, the parties and song...
2020 is a Christmas that I’ll remember for ever,
Covid hasn’t stolen it, it’s just reminded us of what we should treasure.