The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

As a child making a tasty and, of course, sweet treat for the reindeer did not happen every year, but the years it did happen were the most memorable. My grandma, cousins and I would mix oatmeal, sugar and sprinkles together to put out in the snow for the reindeer on the night of Christmas Eve. Then they, too, would get a snack on their long ride around the world. Waking up on Christmas morning was so exciting, but it also was a marathon.

For instance, it was very important to be the first one to wake up, but it was also so important to check Santa’s cookie plate or for the place where Rudolph...