Read by Michael Flamel

Ho, ho, ho! Welcome back, my dear friends, to another merry tale from Santa’s Garden. Today, I invite you to join me and Mrs. Claus as we embark on a delightful adventure in our cozy kitchen, where the magic of Christmas comes alive through the art of jam-making.

As the frosty air swirls outside, Mrs. Claus and I find warmth in the heart of our home, surrounded by the sweet aromas of simmering fruits and bubbling pots. With baskets brimming with the ripest berries and juiciest fruits from our garden, we set to work, our spirits high and our laughter echoing through the kitchen.

“Now, Santa,” Mrs. Claus chuckles, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Shall we start with your favorite, the Merry Berry Medley Jam?”

With a nod and a twinkle in my eye, I roll up my sleeves and join Mrs. Claus at the kitchen counter. Together, we wash and prepare the berries, sharing stories of past Christmases and the joy that fills our hearts with each passing year.

As the fruits simmer in the pot, releasing their sweet fragrance into the air, Mrs. Claus hums a merry tune, and I can’t help but join in, tapping my feet to the rhythm of her melody. With each stir of the spoon, we infuse the jam with love and laughter, knowing that soon it will bring joy to children far and wide.

But our jam-making adventure doesn’t stop there! Oh no, dear readers. Mrs. Claus and I are on a roll, quite literally, as we move on to craft batches of tangy Tinsel Tangerine Jelly and zesty Frosty Fig Preserves. With each jar we fill, we imagine the smiles they will bring to those who receive them on Christmas morning.

“Santa,” Mrs. Claus says, her eyes sparkling with pride as she surveys the array of colorful jars lining the kitchen shelves. “Our jams and jellies are not just treats for the taste buds, but gifts from the heart.”

And she’s right, as she always is. For in every jar lies not only the sweetness of the fruits of our labor but also the warmth of our love and the magic of Christmas itself.

As the evening draws to a close and our kitchen adventure comes to an end, Mrs. Claus and I share a moment of quiet contentment, knowing that we have spread a little more joy and cheer in the world.

And so, my dear friends, as we bid adieu to another day in Santa’s Garden, I leave you with a simple wish: May your hearts be as full as our jars, and may the spirit of Christmas guide you always.

Until next time, ho, ho, ho, and Merry Christmas to all! ❖