So exciting…we were going to have Christmas in our own house! After twelve years of renting, we’d become homeowners November 1, 1967!
I don’t remember what gifts we’d purchased for the girls or for one-year-old Jon, but I do remember five-year-old Chris’ gift. Paul and I both agreed he’d love a coaster wagon with red “laddered” sides, so we purchased it and hid it somewhere, possibly in our still crowded-with-construction debris in our garage. I’m sure we pointed out the red coaster wagons in the Fleet Farm newspaper flyer to him more than once, telling him the wondrous things one could do with a wagon. He wasn’t impressed.
But, as Christmas neared and the advertisements that accompanied Saturday morning cartoons multiplied, Chris announced he’d like a battery-operated Mattel Robot. We discouraged his choice, telling him the batteries would wear out right away, that it was a fad, etc. But, he persisted, he wanted a Mattel Robot.
We were as determined as he was. We knew in the end, he’d love the wagon, case closed.
During the last week of school before Christmas break at Monona Grove High School, the Home Economics Department sponsored a Christmas party for the faculty member’s children.
The party was especially fun, because Don Helstad, the school principal, took his role of Santa Claus very seriously. Paul brought home the questionnaire Santa used in preparation. The questions included (1) What does your child want? (2) Will he get his wish? (3) What will he get? Of course, we completed the form for each of our kids. Mr. Helstad did his homework and was able to personalize questions to each child.
When Chris had his turn, the conversation went something like this…
Hello Christopher, ho, ho, ho, and have you been a good boy this year?
Yes.
And, have you thought about what you’d like Santa to bring you?
Yes, a Mattel Robot.
Oh my, I’m not sure that is a good idea. You know, the batteries wear out so quickly. What about a big coaster wagon with red sides on it?
That’s what my Dad wants.
(Santa becomes clearly outclassed by the kid and as parents we wondered just how he would handle the situation. But Santa regroups and says, with a twinkle in his eye aimed at Paul)
On the other hand, I think a robot might be a good idea.
We stretched our budget. Chris got a Mattel Robot and the wagon. He loved the robot, played with it hours and hours.
The wagon? Not so much…we still have it.
