Hopeful Holiday Season

When I was a little girl, I got to meet Santa Clause. The real live Santa Clause. Or, at least I thought it was. Mom rigged the system. Growing up with a single mom was a little unstable at times but she always managed to to make magic during the holidays. Every year she came up with ways to make it exciting. The year I turned six, she outdid herself and found the biggest celebrity she could find to wish us a happy Christmas.

Santa was making rounds early that year to get ahead of the game. That’s what Mom told us. We were out of our minds excited that night. “You have get your baths and be ready for bed before he gets here,” she said. “He’ll know if you didn’t.”

And heck yes! We all got it together. I’m talking bathed-hair-washed-and teeth brushed ready. We sat by the little Christmas tree in our living room with cookies and milk, Santa’s go to snack when he’s on the road. Joy doesn’t even come to close to what we were feeling. It was childhood elation. There was nothing in the world that was more important than this moment. We were meeting the big guy any minute now.

Mom had four kids all under the age of 10. My brother was eight, I was 6, and my younger sisters were 4. Keeping us at bay when we were brimming with full-on kid energy and excitement surely brought her to the brink of exhaustion that night but she didn’t show it. She kept it Clint Eastwood cool man.

We were chattering about what we were all going to say to Santa when we heard a knock and then the front door open. We all snapped to attention as we heard, “Hellooo?” The front door was behind a wall so we didn’t see him at first. Mom had locked the door to make sure that he knew to use his magic to open it since we didn’t have a chimney. (Good one Mom).

Santa peaked around the corner and entered. We all lit up like the tree we were sitting next to. He was here! Wow! He was here! And he brought an elf with him all the way from the North Pole. This was legit. And he had his magic bag. You know: the one with al the presents in it. The one he carried on his sleigh. We all smiled and greeted him with hugs and laughter as he sat at the dining room table.

I don’t remember what he said, I only remember that he handed each of us a box. He snacked on his cookies while we opened our presents. Remember the moment in A Christmas Story when Ralph gets his Red Rider bebe gun? This was like that only better. We all let a breath of excitement when we realized we had gotten E.T. sweatsuits. We loved that movie when we got to see it in the theater. We were obsessed with this movie. Who wouldn’t be? Kids meeting a cool alien who helps them fly on a bicycle. Come on man! Best gift ever in that moment.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. That we couldn’t possibly be that excited over clothes but think about this for a second. If you bring the right kid a Taylor Swift t-shirt (and I know cause I’ve done it), they will be stoked. E.T. was our T Swift. And Santa Clause brought the gift. It was the gift combo we didn’t know we needed.

This moment in time made such an impact on me that I believed in Santa Clause much longer than what most kids do. It led me to work on a short film project with my director friend Natasha Straley and my husband volunteered to be Santa for kids who were living in an income sensitive community that helped women escape their abusers. I suppose in some ways, I still believe in Santa Clause. Or, at least the idea of him.

Watch my short film project here: Watch Film

What does this have to do with hair and hair trends? It doesn’t. As a salon, we try to find ways to help our community. We know the stories of joy and hardship. We carry it home with us and talk about it with one another because we feel privileged to be part of your life while you spend time with us. This holiday season, we want to do more than make beautiful hair.

We are partnering with a couple of food banks in the area and we need your support. We will be collecting canned goods, non-perishable items (pasta, rice, whole grain cereals), as well as essential hygiene products and baby supplies. Please be sure to make sure that these foods are not expired or damaged. I know we all want to clear out our pantries but now is the time to come together. My husband and I plan to purchase an extra item or two every time we go to the grocery store. I am also asking hair companies to help out by donating shampoo & conditioner. Participating in this venture helps in two ways. You help us support our community and you support a small business.

We could not do what we do without you. It takes the small acts of many to achieve a lot for the greater good. Here is a link to the group we are working with and a link to the film to add a little cheer to the holiday season. Please feel free to share this information with your friends, family, and your neighbors.

Happy Holidays!!!

Food Banks we are coordinating with:
Round Rock Area Serving Center
www.rrasc.org
Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry
www.bastropfoodpantry.org