When Ms. Claus and I arrived in the courtyard for the nightly fire, the elves were already busy making their s’mores.

“Look at mine,” Tinsel shouted to us. “I made a double decker!”

“I don’t think you’ll get your mouth around that one,” I quickly responded laughing.

After settling into our chairs to enjoy the fire, Lyra jumped up. “If you could get one wish, what would you wish for?”

I noticed how one by one, the sticks with marshmallows started to disappear from the fire as the elves began thinking.

Peppermint, who always smells like candy canes, put her hand in the air. “Ooh, ooh. I’d wish for every child in the world to wake up smiling and laughing every morning. Not just on Christmas, but every single day!”

The elves nodded in agreement while Holly jumped up and began describing her wish. “All of you know that wrapping gifts has to be quick.”

“And you can wrap faster than a blink, especially before the holidays arrive,” yelled Carlton.

Holly smiled. “Thanks, but sometimes I wish time could slow down,” she said softly. “Not forever, just a little, so everyone could enjoy their happiest moments a bit longer.”

“Hmmm,” they all murmured, knowing that holding back the need for speed around the Christmas season was impossible.

“OK,” Jingles called out. “Imagine a mountain of cookies that never runs out. I’d wish for that!”  Stomping around with excitement, he explained how he would share this endless hillside of tasty treats with everyone at the North Pole. “Even you, Santa.”

“You better or you might find yourself on the naughty list,” I bellowed as everyone burst into laughter, especially me.

Suddenly, Highstep’s stick with three marshmallows exploded into flames. Then Quentin’s stick lit up like a firecracker.

“Whoa, let’s take it easy and pay attention to what we’re doing,” I warned. “Burnt marshmallows don’t taste so good.”

Everyone giggled and eventually became as quiet as a blanket of fresh snow until most of them had satisfied their desire for s’mores.

“Hey, don’t stop wishing,” Cocoa hollered as many stopped talking. “It’s been fun so far.” He paused, then added his own request. “Since I’m the keeper of the workshop lights, I’d wish for nights filled with cozy glows in every home, so even the darkest evenings felt warm and safe.”

“Ahhh, that’s sweet,” Twinkle answered. She stood and spun in a little circle. “I’d wish for music everywhere so no one can stay grumpy for long!”

Old Smokey, my wisest and oldest toymaker, adjusted his tiny spectacles. “Good one. But I’d wish for curious minds,” he said, “so children always keep wondering, dreaming, and inventing.”

“I agree, that’s important,” Pip, a bicycle workshop elf, said. “But I think we need more hugs. You can never get or give enough of them.”

That one earned big smiles from everyone as the elves began hugging each other. Not wanting to be left out, I turned to my wife and gave her a huge embrace.

One by one, the elves continued to share their wishes: some silly, some sweet, some thoughtful, but when quiet little Snowcap spoke up, everyone listened. “I think I’d wish that no one ever feels lonely. Not even for a moment.”

No one spoke. Only the crackling of the fire could be heard. “Nicely said, Cocoa.” I stood up and looked at my wife and scanned the faces of the elves. “All of us are aware how loneliness affects people, even animals,” I explained. “Often the children’s letters make me aware how much they want a friend or how thankful they are for their families and friends. I also noticed that not a single elf wished for something just for themselves. Your generosity is heart-warming.”

“That’s part of the magic of the Elves and Christmas, Santa,” my wife announced.

As I sat down, the elves started clapping until Bernard held up his hand for quiet.

“Santa, what would you wish for?” he asked.

I chuckled, gave my beard a little tug, and said, “My wish already came true. I spend my days with all of you, and help bring joy to the world.” As the elves nodded in agreement, I added, “Of course having everyone on the Nice List, and not needing a Naughty List, would be fantastic.”

The elves cheered so loudly that I’m pretty sure even the reindeer in the stables heard them. Laughter filled the courtyard once more, and soon everyone returned to roasting marshmallows and building their perfect s’mores.

As the night began to settle, a spark drifted through the air, like a tiny speck of starlight dancing above the fire. Around the fire, the elves grew still, each one watching the sparks drifting upward.

“Santa… look,” whispered Lyra.

The glowing specks floated upward, rising into the sky like wishes finding their way home. We all sat quietly, noticing how they disappeared among the stars.

And in that peaceful moment, we all understood something important.

The very best wishes aren’t just spoken. They’re shared, carried, and given away, until they come true.

I leaned back in my chair, looking out at all of them, and then up at the sky.

Now tell me… what would you wish for?

Notes From Santa

I hope you enjoyed today’s story (#198). Stories are posted on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of each month, except December. Santa’s next story will be posted on Saturday May 2, 2026.  If you have any comments or if there is something you would like me to tell you about, please feel free to leave me a comment. Until the next time . . .

To read another story regarding a wish please check out: 

One Wish – March 16, 2024

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