We are in full Christmas spirit, gifts, parcels, packages, decorations, trees, nativity scenes, lunches and dinners.

And I am writing today to spare a thought, a special wish. Because after a busy year of events and meetings, we came to that part of the year that we spend with the family, which we feel united … … … or so … … … … … … … But from what I’ve seen these days as I turned to shops and malls, just because Christmas, without realizing it, we take everything for granted, we run to prepare for the holidays, but we do not stop smiling and excited thinking about the joy of Christmas, we care if we bought everything, we worry if we have not got the right gift, if for Christmas Eve dinner we cooked enough, if this person will not be offended if we have not taken anything (again … … …. Each year the list of gifts are thinning given the limited finances that lead us to choose what to give and to whom). And we do not do your good wishes, for now just a text message or an email with a goblin spirit dances with the reindeer, the problem is solved, it saves the cost of the call. And you do not think that instead of the direct voice is like a hug, a sincere wish that the person makes you feel really close.

 Christmas is a magical holiday, snow, songs, myths and memories. Memories … … … … … … … … …. Are the best thing to celebrate Christmas, the memories that take us back when we were small and we were waiting for Santa Claus and all was very special. It must become as little children, remember grandparents or loved ones who did that a single day, with customs and family traditions that made us really feel at home, united and happy to relive the emotions that can not be explained but that if we return to mind make us smile the heart. Hot chocolate, pandoro with mascarpone cream, movies on TV, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Trading Places, Scrooged, Little Lord Fauntleroy, a nice new sweater bought on purpose, the mandarins close the letter under the Christmas tree for Santa Claus, the pajamas with reindeer or penguin, burnt orange peel on the stove to scent the kitchen, the Coke commercial by the choir … … … … … … … …. Then to prove something, to smile and make us feel this way, we try to go small, when we were expecting this day, when we were free from thoughts and problems and we fully lived this spell.. I found an article in a newspaper of Padua, talking about the letters that children send to the North Pole, Santa Claus House address (or North Pole or Santa Claus, the land of the elves, or Santa Claus, sky, or Santa Claus, star great on the right) and these letters have made me smile, made me think back to those wonderful Christmases that I spent with my family as a child. I do not know if it can be the same for you but I hope so, this is my wish, I give you the smile of Christmas with these letters, to make you feel the warmth of this family, as we were all together in a room decorated tree and between lights and colored packages and set table and with the people who is most dear to you. So between John asking nothing for themselves and gifts for the naughty little sister (letter hugely popular), or Paola sheepishly asking that "the color blue because it has finished" and Catherine calling the notebooks with color cover like those of friends……here are the thoughts of the children at Christmas … … … ..

"Dear Santa, I can write your mobile number? You can leave me on a sheet on the kitchen table? I will not call you, I promise!

"(Eleanor) "Dear Santa, I did good this year and for Christmas I would like 4 things … … (… …). We point out that my house is not marked on the Sat Nav but I can tell you that is on the way to the Tower after the plants, my house is uphill. PS: Merry Christmas

"(Gloria) "Dear Santa, I sometimes think that you do not bring me anything because I often quarrel with my brother, but then I think you’re good and you will forgive me and then I would … (….)" (Paul)

" Dear Santa, because I’m too chatterbox at school the teachers have complained and my parents put me in the corner and then nothing for Christmas gifts. At least you can send me something?"(Alessandro)

" Dear Santa, because you no child has ever made a gift I would have thought of sending one of my dolls, let me know your preferences (I would appreciate your gift)" (Stany)

"Dear Santa, this year are John and I have done well (my mother denies) I would ask you a bulldozer with excavator but if you do not find is fine even a toy digger." (John)

"Dear Santa, I do not ask for gifts this year: it is better to take them to poor children because I have all the games and also a sister, and she is my most desired gift. If you want to bring a small gift I accept. "(Sara)

"Dear Santa, for Christmas I would like a puzzle of 200 pieces and I promise I’ll try not to beat my brother. … Greetings and kisses." (Sofia)

"Dear Santa, what do you do after delivering presents? Would you like to come and dine with me on December 25th? Happy holidays. "(Anna)

"Dear Santa, if you come to my house to meet my sister." (Mario)

"Dear Santa, I am a good and beautiful young girl of 4 years. I would like fire, like what my mother used to cook. Hail, but not the elves because they scare me. "(Sofia Victoria)

So I propose to you: write your letter, send it to me (ti7781@subzerosquad.com), whether anonymous or fictitious names, your thoughts, your desires, your vents or your conclusions at the end of this year. On 24th evening I will publish the letters here. Merry Christmas from the heart … … ….