T’was the Season

There is a long held tradition at this time of the year that goes back to my SMFairies days. I believe it started with the onset of Hallmark and continues to this day. Yes, that would be the selling of Christmas cards…door to door by little children with cherub faces. We at St. Mary’s were no exception.

Each year we would be handed a cardboard carrying case filled with the year’s most treasured Christmas art with holiday verse. We had all we could do to lug it home with our book bag also in tow. “Look, Ma! Christmas cards to sell!” “Oh, goody,” seemed to be the silent reply. For our neighborhood was loaded with SMFairies. How many neighbors could we connect with when there was a line of kids with card cases streaming down the street! It was a dash as mad as an Easter egg hunt to be first at the neighbor’s doorstep!

Thank God for grandmothers! They were always good for a couple of boxes. It’s almost as if grandparents were placed here to help on these occasions because there were always such occasions year round. At a dollar a box for cards, they were a great help to the fundraising cause. There were also the dedicated neighbors who looked forward to the annual purchase…”you can count on us,” with a wink and a smile. It made it all worthwhile, even to the youngest of us.

The parents pulled up the slack through sales at the office, friends and extended family. It was amusing to see the parents carrying the cases to and from the house, even to us kids….for this was a family affair! “How’d you do at work today, Dad?” “Hmmmm, so, so”, said the silent face! “Great!” we said with enthusiasm, for there was a prize to be won by the student with the most sales.

I can recall the prize, even though it varied per year. My brother and I never won it though in spite of our best efforts. It was a celebrated, framed certificate with a photo op to be published on our honored bulletin board in the main lobby. Each year a small statue was given to those in first, second and third place. Such acclaim in the annals of our time at SMS!

Each year we still see the student troops armed with bags and cases of holiday wares to sell for school fundraisers, both public and private schools alike: holiday giftwrap, tissue, colorful bags, ribbons, candies and nuts, candles and delights to trim the tree. Please give generously when you hear the knock at the door or the doorbell ring for we can all say…”Been there, done that!” as we recall our personal sales histories.

Cathy