The Zeiger Family Homestead Blog

Ever since I can remember, I’ve held in my heart and mind a particular ideal of Christmas, or, perhaps more precisely, Christmas Eve.

My ideal involved my family and I ensconced in a snug home, decorated for Christmas, with no requirement to leave the house at any time between at least Christmas Eve and December 27th, if not longer.

This image, which I often experienced in my family’s various homes growing up, came largely from the more romanticized illustrations of Clement Clark Moore’s A Visit From Saint Nicholas, more popularly known as The Night Before Christmas.

My favorites depict a large mansion, isolated from the surrounding homes, to which Santa Claus comes from a considerable distance. My all-time favorite The Night Before Christmas is Scott Gustafson’s illustrated edition (paid link) (check your local bookstore).

Imagine my surprise, and satisfaction, to learn that my ideal was shared by others, particularly, the very men responsible for the United States’ image of Santa Claus!

The homestead’s front beach, ready for Christmas (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).

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