Christmas magic creates special memories

SANDPOINT — Sugar plums?

"Check."

Stockings hung by the chimney with care?

"Check."

Loved ones gathered around?

"Check."

A plate of cookies, a glass of milk, and a visit from St. Nick?

"Check, check, and check."

Magic fills the air at Christmas.

The laughter piercing the air during a classic, good old-fashioned snowball fight. The wind whistling past your ears as you race your sled down a mountain of snow. A plate of fresh-baked cookies and a glass of ice-cold milk, or a steaming cup of cocoa greeting you as you stumble indoors, stomping the snow from your boots.

Sneaking downstairs, tiptoeing as quietly as you can in the middle of the night to see if you can surprise Santa during his lightning-fast trek around the world.

Fresh-cut pine trees, twinkling lights interspersed with memory-filled ornaments, and family and loved ones gathered around, Christmas carols playing softly in the background.

Hanging stockings by the fireplace, a fire keeping the winter chill at bay amid the breathless anticipation of a magical and memory-filled season.

Heading off to church for Christmas Eve midnight services, the world silent and quiet as you make your way there, Christmas songs joyfully sung by those packing the pews.

That same sense of magic and wonder fills the Christmas memories of students at Sandpoint Waldorf School.

There is the visit by Koa with grandparents that included sitting on Santa's sleigh. Or Otto, who after watching "The Polar Express" found a bell underneath the couch, green with a red ribbon."

Or Helen whose favorite memory is of finding her sister hiding under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

For students at Sandpoint Waldorf, the list of what they are grateful for is as varied as the students themselves. Some find the spirit of the holiday in their families and friends, others through the love of the family pet.

So, below, the students of Sandpoint Waldorf School share the many things for which they are thankful. We are happy to share them, once again, with you.

Grade 1 

Afton — "My favorite memory at Christmas is when we play white elephant as a family." 

Amelia — "I am looking forward to making new Christmas memories with baby Magnus." 

Ari — "My favorite memory is my cat's first Christmas, and watching them jump for the high ornaments on the Christmas tree." 

Ayli — "My favorite Christmas tradition is putting a star on the Christmas tree." 

Charlee — "I get a happy feeling at Christmas time."  

Claire — "My favorite memory is that we do the same thing every year, we open one present at home and then go to my grandparents' house." 

Eva — "My favorite memory is being with my family." 

Esmarie — "My favorite memory is when I got a tent house from Santa Claus." 

Finnigan — "My favorite memory is everything."  

Liam — "My favorite part of Christmas is decorating and singing." 

Gogo — "My favorite memory is when I put up the star on the tree with my sister."  

Reed — "My favorite memory is getting presents."  

Scarlett — "My favorite memory is spending Christmas with my grandmother and brother." 

Shepherd — "My favorite memory is the year I saw Santa, and lost a tooth." 

Tilly — "My favorite memory is decorating the Christmas tree and putting the star on top." 

Wesley — "My favorite memory is opening presents with my family."  

Weston — "My favorite part about Christmas is decorating the tree and singing." 

Grade 2 

Ezra — "My favorite Christmas memory was when I was three, I got a sled. I got to ride it that Christmas." 

Finn — "My favorite Christmas memory was when my mom found a piece of ice shaped like the moon." 

Ida — "My favorite Christmas memory happened when I was six. I was wishing for a white unicorn stuffy and I got it and I still have it."  

Jack — "My favorite Christmas memory happened when I was three and I saw the first snow for weeks. I was so happy I ran to the window! I was so happy to see the first snowfall."  

Jackson — "My favorite Christmas memory was when we set out the milk and cookies for Santa and celery and carrots for the reindeer. I also love when we go on the Santa cruise and then go to a hotel after.” 

Koa — "My favorite Christmas memory was last year with my grandma and grandpa. I sat on Santa's sleigh.” 

Lennox — "My favorite Christmas memory happened when I was five. For the first time I saw Santa Claus and it was amazing!” 

Otto — "Once when I had just watched the Polar Express, on Christmas morning I found a bell under the couch. It was green with a red ribbon attached to the top and I could hear it.” 

Remy — "My favorite Christmas memory happens every year. We always take turns opening presents so we can watch each other. One year, I got to go first.” 

Sawyer — "My favorite Christmas memory was when I was seven. My dad's sister's boyfriend got a drone. I got to fly it! I flew it and it almost crashed but it didn't.” 

Tibor — "My favorite part of Christmas is when my whole family comes to my house. I get to open my presents, and I get to hang out with my family.” 

Grade 3 

Cedar — "My favorite Christmas tradition is we start Christmas morning with a cup of hot chocolate.” 

Charlotte — "My favorite Christmas tradition is hanging out with my family and opening presents.” 

Cora — "My favorite Christmas tradition is skiing and being with family." 

CG — "I feel excitement around Christmas." 

Elwood — "My favorite Christmas memory is the year I got my dog for Christmas."  

Finley — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my cousin and I woke up in the middle of the night and tried to catch Santa." 

Helen — "My favorite Christmas memory is finding my sister hiding under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning." 

Izabel — "My favorite Christmas tradition is going to my aunt’s house." 

Jane — "On Christmas morning our family tries to guess who their secret Santa was, and we open presents." 

Jill — "My favorite tradition is skiing." 

Joseph — "My favorite memory is when my family built an igloo." 

Kate — "My favorite Christmas tradition is drinking hot chocolate and decorating the Christmas tree."  

Layli — "My favorite part of Christmas is watching someone open the present you got for them." 

Lincoln — "My favorite Christmas memory is when I got my dog." 

Luca — "My favorite Christmas memory was spending Christmas in Fort Bragg with my cousins." 

Luca — "I am looking forward to seeing my family, and grandma this Christmas."  

Meela — "My favorite memory is going outside to play in the snow at Christmas time." 

Oliver — "I am looking forward to seeing my cousins."  

Ruby — "My favorite Christmas tradition is decorating the Christmas tree."  

Sage — "My favorite Christmas memory is watching my younger sister open presents." 

Ty — "My favorite Christmas tradition is cutting down a Christmas tree."  

Wesley — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my grandmother brought us a cat for Christmas." 

Whit — "My favorite Christmas memory is opening one present on Christmas Eve." 

Grade 4

Abella — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my brother came to visit for Christmas." 

Ally — "I remember one year for Christmas, I received a $20 bill." 

Aspen — "My favorite Christmas memory is when we watched a Christmas movie on Christmas Eve!” 

Avery — "I remember one Christmas I got my first two-wheeled scooter. I love having Christmas dinner with my family." 

Aylah — "What I like about Christmas is spending time with friends and family. I also like eating treats my uncle and sister make." 

Bennett — "My favorite Christmas memory is when I got a snowboard for Christmas." 

Dominic — "My favorite part of Christmas is Christmas morning!” 

Eliza — "One of my favorite parts of Christmas is when you wake up and just feel warmth and then you go upstairs and wake everybody and then you open all the presents. That is probably my favorite part about Christmas." 

Ever — "My favorite Christmas memory was when I got a doll, and we spent Christmas on Schweitzer Mountain.” 

Fox — "I remember a Christmas when I was about 3 years old. I came downstairs and my elf on the shelf was hanging upside down by his feet.” 

Kinsley — "I remember when we went to Schweitzer for Christmas." 

Mark — "My favorite Christmas tradition is spending time with my family and playing games with them.” 

River — "My favorite Christmas memory is having a snowball fight and opening presents.” 

Saylor — "My favorite Christmas memory is playing with my friends and family.” 

Viola — "A good Christmas memory I have is going to my grandma and papa's house, spending time with my family and opening presents.” 

Grade 5 

Adelaide — "My favorite memory is waking up to presents on Christmas morning.” 

Annabelle — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my cat climbed our Christmas tree.” 

Ben — "My favorite Christmas memory is when our Christmas tree fell over.” 

Brock — "My favorite memory is having a snowball fight with my brother.” 

Charlotte — "My favorite memory is the first time I put the star on top of the Christmas tree.” 

Daphne — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my dad read Santa's letter.” 

Douglas — "My favorite Christmas memory was spending Christmas with my grandfather.” 

Emerson — "My favorite Christmas memory was when I was looking through my telescope and saw a shooting star.” 

Harper — "My favorite Christmas memory is my first white Christmas.” 

James — "My favorite Christmas memory is when I woke up and went downstairs and grabbed a present and snuck back up the stairs, and you probably know what happened after that.” 

John — "My favorite part about Christmas are the presents my parents give me.” 

Liam — "My favorite Christmas memory is when I went sledding.” 

Lincoln — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my mom carried me out of a building, and it was snowing outside.” 

North — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my grandfather made candy canes.” 

Scout — "One of my favorite memories is when my family and I took a sleigh ride to a Christmas tree.” 

Grade 6

Ms. Knighton — "My favorite Christmas memory is of family and friends singing carols around the neighborhood.” 

Antonio — "I love waking up on Christmas morning and seeing presents under the tree.” 

Aria — "I love feeling the excitement when I go to see what's under the tree.” 

Ariya — "I like playing in the snow and opening gifts on Christmas morning.” 

Autumn — "I love waking up in the morning and jumping out of bed and seeing the presents and stockings full.” 

Avery — "I love the smell of baking cookies and making a gingerbread house.” 

Eva — "I love being with my family while opening presents and seeing the snow out my window.” 

Faye — "Spending time with family by skiing, playing in the snow, opening stockings and presents.” 

Georgia — "I love going to bed on Christmas Eve full of excitement and anticipation!” 

Jazzy — "I like building snowmen with my family and friends.” 

Kachemak — "I like to wake up and go out to the living room and open presents and have a train go around the Christmas tree.” 

Kyra — "I love seeing everybody happy after opening their gifts.” 

Liam — "Watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ with my family and opening presents on Christmas morning.” 

Miley — "I love the feeling of anticipation on Christmas morning.” 

Oliver — "I like waking up and seeing my stockings on my bed and presents under the tree.” 

Zoie — "I love the snow on Christmas morning.” 

Grade 7 

Blakely — "My favorite Christmas memory is when the Ravens won against the 49ers.” 

Elsa — "My favorite Christmas memory is when my grandmother took me to see ‘The Nutcracker’ for the first time.” 

Evelyn — "My favorite Christmas tradition is going on the Christmas cruise in Coeur d’Alene.” 

Griffin — "My favorite Christmas memory is snowboarding in powder.” 

Julian — "My favorite Christmas tradition is that my grandparents stay the night at our house on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas day we go to my other grandparents' house.” 

Kai — "My favorite Christmas tradition is going to Canada every year to see my mom's side of the family.” 

Marin — "My favorite Christmas memory is waking up early on Christmas morning, and waiting for my parents to invite us to come downstairs and open presents.” 

Rowan — "My favorite Christmas tradition is every Christmas Eve we play games as a family, it is called Reindeer games.” 

Winslow — "I am feeling excited this year because my sister is coming home, and my favorite tradition is to make oatmeal with my family and sprinkle it outside for the deer."

    Sandpoint Waldorf eighth graders pose for a cast photo of their class production of "Anne of Green Gables." The play is an annual tradition at the school.