Sep 7 2026 | By: Always Remember Photography
I cannot believe an entire week has gone by without a Christmas Journal entry.
Before the season fully took over, I went on vacation with my daughter and her family, knowing it would probably be my last real break before the busiest part of preparing for our Magical Santa Sessions began.
Now it is September, and our focus has completely shifted to creating this year’s Santa Experience. We spent the weekend working on the rooms, but I will save that story for next week. First, I wanted to take a moment to write about some of the little treasures we have collected along the way—the pieces that slowly help bring Santa’s world to life.
My favorite find so far this year is the little wooden tractor that was also a rocker. I finally got to see completely finished when I returned home—although “little” may no longer be the right word for it.
But I am getting ahead of myself.
I should probably begin with how this wooden tractor rocker found its way into our Christmas preparations in the first place.
The moment we decided that our 2026 story would take children into Elf Academy, I began looking for the pieces that would help bring it to life. The tractor will join a growing collection of treasures we have used over the years, including a little wooden rocking horse that is perfect for toddlers and has become one of my favorites in their portraits.
That little rocking horse is exactly why, when I discovered an Amish-made wooden tractor rocker on Facebook Marketplace earlier this summer, I was certain it would be perfect for the younger children in Elf Academy.
Imagine my surprise when my husband, Paul, brought it home and I realized it was large enough for a three- or four-year-old to ride—and very heavy. Apparently, judging the size of things from Facebook Marketplace photographs is not one of my special talents.
The tractor was beautifully made from light oak, but I knew from the moment I saw it that I wanted to paint it red so it would look as though it had come directly from Santa's Workshop.
When it was time to put everything back together, we discovered that all the screws I had put away for safekeeping must be very safe because I have absolutely no idea where I put them.
Thankfully, Paul was able to replace them, and while I was away on vacation, he put the tractor back together for me.
Because of its size and weight, it may not end up in Elf Academy at all. It could become part of the decorated living room upstairs, or it might greet families near the entrance while pulling a little Christmas tree. Wherever it ends up, it will have a home in this year's Santa Experience.
I am just not sure where that will be yet.
For now, I am simply happy that all the pieces went back together—even if none of the original screws did.
The tractor is only one of the treasures waiting to become part of this year’s story, and Facebook Marketplace is only one of the places where we search for them.
Daniel and Julie Jingles found a stack of old books at an estate sale because they knew the books would look perfect in Santa’s Office.
At a flea market, they also discovered an antique typewriter that is now sitting in the room as though it has always belonged there.
I suppose the secret is that these pieces can be found almost anywhere. The challenge is recognizing which ones can become part of Santa’s world. They need to look as though they belong there while also helping us create the nostalgic, timeless portraits I picture when we first choose them.
By November, the tractor, chalkboard, plane, highchair, books and everything else we have collected will have found their places. The children will never know how many estate sales, craft shows and thrift stores we visited, how many Marketplace listings we searched, how many coats of paint were needed or how many times we changed our minds.
I suppose that is the point.
When our Magical Santa Sessions begin, the children will simply walk through the door and feel as though they have stepped into Santa’s world.
That is the reason for every toy, every book, every clock and every little detail. We want each child to forget, if only for a little while, that they are standing inside someone’s home—and believe they have stepped into the North Pole.
This weekend, decorating for our Magical Santa Sessions officially began.
✔ We brought out all the Christmas trees and decided where each one would go.
✔ Julie Jingles began decorating the tree selected for Santa’s Office, which is getting close to being complete.
✔ Three trees headed upstairs. One is finished, and another is halfway there—after purchasing 800 more clear lights and new ribbon.
✔ I emptied the living room shelves so we can begin filling them with Christmas treasures.
We also made one rather big decision. For the first time in ten years, we are adding a day for our Santa Experience that will be after after Thanksgiving. We have always completed our sessions before Thanksgiving, so opening our doors again on Saturday, November 28, will be something completely new for us.
Introduction — Building Our Santa Experience: A Christmas Journal
Follow along from the beginning as this year's Santa Experience starts to take shape.
Week 1 — It All Started with One Desk
The Facebook Marketplace bargain that inspired Santa's new office.
Week 2 — Every Story Begins with a Blank Page
Week 3 — The Chair That Turned an Empty Room into Santa's Office
Week 4 - Every Treasure Finds a Home: (You are Here)