On this glorious Christmas Eve I share with you a poem I wrote four years ago this day for a group of fellow toy store owners (we call ourselves Toy Store Owners Officially Gone Wild – that will make sense near the end of the poem). Every night during the holidays I share fun stuff with them to keep everyone’s spirits bright.

Although this poem was written for toy sellers, it really applies to all retailers who have put their heart and soul into making this season special for their customers. Hopefully you’ll see yourself in these words …

The Santa in You
Phil Wrzesinski, 12/24/14

Twas the night before Christmas and all through Toyland
The customers were cheering and giving you a hand
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
Filled with great toys that you helped put there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
Visions of great toys all danced in their heads
Mamma said a prayer and papa tipped his cap
The gift-wrapping you did, gave them both a longer nap

Out on the lawn, there was no clatter this night
The gifts had been hidden in the basement out of sight
There would be no need for reindeer, no elf on a sleigh
No whistling or shouting, no Santa to say…

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer!, now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen
Not because Santa isn’t real, you know that’s not true
He’s as real as he ever was, all because of you

You’ve kept him alive through your loving and caring
You’ve kept him alive through your holiday sharing
For Santa is magical, that’s the whole truth
You don’t need to see him to have your own proof

You saw Santa when you saw people buy Toys for Tots
You saw Santa when you saw people give to those who have not
You saw Santa when you saw people being generous to others
You saw Santa in the smiles on the fathers and mothers

Those smiles, you might not know, are all meant for you
For the long hours, the late nights, and all that you do
For the phone calls and emails to vendors and reps
For the stocking and straightening and all the boxes you schlepped

Even the customers who forgot to give you their thanks
While you stood there drained, no fuel in your tanks
Even the unruly, the impossible and incredibly rude
Are better off today because of all that you do

Tomorrow morning all across this wonderful land
Kids will get toys that you picked by hand
And their smiles of delight, and their shrieks and their laughs
Are all because of you and your wonderful staffs

You are Santa, whether you ever wanted to be
You are the wonders underneath every Christmas tree
Though the credit usually goes to the jolly old elf
You are the one who put those toys on your shelf

So I tip my hat to each and every one of you
It has been my pleasure to give you all a good laugh or two
The Recap is over until Black Friday next year
But I leave you these words in hopes of good cheer

Whether your business rocked or you had a tough time
The difference you made goes far beyond the bottom line
To my fellow Toy Store Owners Officially Gone Wild
You’ve made the difference in the life of a child

Put that in your heart and hold it there tight
Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

-Phil Wrzesinski
www.PhilsForum.com

PS Feel free to share.