When 5-year-old Foodie was in kindergarten - he brought home this big Paper Mache Santa Boot. I instantly loved it. I asked the teacher how she made it, and she used 2 brown paper shopping bags - shaped them like a boot - placed scrap paper so it would hold its boot shape and the children paper mach'ed them, painted them, and added the white cotton fur. 

Four years later, Navy had that same teacher and I was gifted with another one. 

Michael who was the oldest didn't have the same teacher, so I never got one from him. 

The top of my china cabinet has never been without these 2 Santa Boots at Christmas ever since.  For 37 years, these boots are lovingly dusted off and placed in their respective spot - They have their own box they go into after Christmas. 

If I get to a point in my life, where I can no longer have a tree - these boots will suffice. That's all I want. 

In fact, if there was a fire - and I had to rescue just a few keepsakes, these boots would be rescued. 

Sadly, each year I open up that box, they are showing their age. I may have to start storing them inside the house (but where?) due to the hot summers in the garage. 

I can still see those little 5-year-old faces, grinning at me when they gifted me this precious keepsake. Little did they know, their Mom was a total senti"mental" slob and would keep them till the die I die. 

I only wish I had the foresight to have taken a photo of them, with their boot. 

Good News -

Navy is feeling better today - he'll go back to work Thursday. The last one to get it was Sara so she is still feeling like "death warmed over." as she stated. I brought them over a couple of bags of broth, soup, orange juice, Vit C gummies, soda crackers, etc. on their front step.  The rest of the family also had it first so Sara's brother, Donnie is back to work. The little girl is doing much better. 

Do you have any of your children's artwork from Christmas that you still put up?