The tree glimmered, the aroma of roast turkey filled the air, the champagne flowed freely, but where was Santa? Everyone at the Shanleys’ Holiday Party waited on the edge of excitement for the moment he would arrive. Outside, a merry jingle of bells sounded. Taryn and her mother Kaylynn glanced out the living room window — could that be his sleigh landing in the yard?

Even the ghost of Leo Shanley wondered if Santa had indeed arrived…

..and he had! Santa strolled right into the thick of the party. “Hey, folks! I mean…Ho, ho, ho! Am I late?”

He made a beeline for Kaylynn, his Mrs. Claus for the evening. They boogied to the strains of “Run Run Rudolph”.

“Play us a song, Santa!” someone shouted. The jolly man obliged, tinkling the ivories while Taryn led the group in a Christmas singalong.

While Taryn put out the food, Robi the Exterminator gathered everyone for a Christmas toast.

“First off, I’d like to thank Santa for gracing us with his presence,” Robi said with smile. “Christmas wouldn’t be the same without him. Secondly, I’d like to thank the Shanleys for welcoming me so graciously into their home. My apologies to the family ghosts for disturbing their usually peaceful slumber. And thirdly, I’d like to make an announcement…Fiona asked me to marry her, and I’ve accepted! You’re all invited to our wedding.”

Delighted with her fiance’s gentlemanly words, Fiona helped herself to a piece of her mom’s layer cake. Everyone else followed suit until only crumbs remained on the serving plates.

After guests had departed and dishes had been washed, an exhausted Fiona fell asleep on the sofa. Instead of sugarplums, visions of her new fiance danced in her head. It was going to be a Merry Christmas indeed.

Happy Holidays, everyone!