Here is the text from the book we have been reading nightly in our house to make sure Thomas is aware that Santa doesn’t always wear the hot furry suit and a lot of Australian homes don’t have fireplaces (he comes in through the window). And in Australia we leave beer for Santa, not milk (at least we did in my house :)). Some may be a little difficult for American’s to understand so here is a link to an Aussie dictionary to help you along.
‘Twas the night before christmas;
there wasn’t a sound.
Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around.
We’d left on the table
some tucker and beer,
Hoping that Santa Claus
soon would be here;
We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced ’round in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie,
and Dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports.
a mad ruckus arose;
Loud squeaking and banging
woke us from our doze.
We ran to the screen door,
peeked cautiously out,
snuck onto the deck,
then let out a shout.
But a rusty old ute
pulled by eight mighty ‘roos.
was giggling with glee,
And we both knew at once
who this plump bloke must be.
it’s all dinki-di,
Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.
Santa leaned out the window
to pull at the reins,
And encouraged the ‘roos,
by calling their names.
Now, Shazza and Shane!
On Kipper! On, Skipper!
On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank.
Grab a quick drink,
I’ll scoot down the gum tree.
Be back in a wink!’
With the ute full of toys,
and Santa Claus too.
He slid down the gum tree
and jumped to the ground,
Then in through the window
he sprang with a bound.
and a milky white beard.
A jolly old joker
was how he appeared.
He wore red stubby shorts
and old thongs on his feet,
And a hat of deep crimson
as shade from the heat.
Oh! how they twinkled!
And, like a goanna,
his skin was quite wrinkled!
His shirt was stretched over
a round bulging belly
Which shook when he moved,
like a plate full of jelly.
he flung from his back,
And he looked like a swaggie
unfastening his pack.
He spoke not a word,
but bent down on one knee,
To position our goodies
beneath the yule tree.
for us two.
And for Dad, tongs to use
on the new barbeque.
A mysterious package
he left for our Mum,
Then he turned and he winked
and he held up his thumb;
came on cue;
Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.
He bellowed out loud
as they swooped past the gates-
and goodonya, MATES!’
Merry Christmas!
Nicole
Click on the image for credits.
Papers and most elements are from the Weeds and Wildflowers Seeing Stars pack. The frame on the front is from Nancy Comelab and the frame on the back and the ribbon is from Christina Renee (Stand up and Scrap kit). Alpha and paint brush is from MandaJ Designs (Evan Kit).
Credits: Lisa Whitney Chalked Papers and stitching (Scrapartist), Dani Mogstad Say It Journal Strips (Design by Dani).
Nicole Ishida Photography 