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The Most Expensive $6 Paint Return: Creating Our Santa Experience

Sep 30 2026 | By: Always Remember Photography

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Building Our Santa Experience: A Christmas Journal 

Sept 30th

I Only Went In to Return a Can of Paint

 

Christmas Journal with a picture of a carousel and ferris wheel on a page.

Trying to watch or budget, I decided to return a can of paint that we did not use to Walmart.  BIG MISTAKE!

I came out with $128 worth of Christmas decorations, including a lighted musical carousel and a Ferris wheel. Then, on the way home, I stopped at Lowe's and spent considerably more than that on the most wonderful giant elves for the outdoor entrance to our Elf Academy.

I have decided it may be best if I don't leave the house again until November.

A car trunk overflowing with Christmas Decorations for Santa Session near Pittsburgh.

But, as usual, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I keep meaning to sit down and write my weekly journal, but every time I think I have a minute, I remember something else that needs to be painted, sewn, printed, or carried upstairs. Somehow two weeks have slipped by since I last wrote, and quite a lot has happened.

The carousel and Ferris wheel are upstairs now. I keep turning them on to see how they look with the trees. At least, that's the reason I give when someone finds me standing there watching them. Meanwhile, the giant elves are waiting patiently for their place at the entrance of our Magical Santa Sessions.

About those trees. Upstairs, we now have four. I thought three was the perfect number, and then Julie Jingles messaged me from Walmart with a picture of a tree covered in beautiful twinkle lights.

"Do you need another tree?" she asked.

"No! I do not need another tree."

It is now sitting in the corner of my kitchen. I didn't need it, but I wanted it, and I had the perfect spot for it. Apparently, staying home so I don't spend more money isn't working out so well.

Ferris Wheel Musical for Santa Sessions near Pittsburgh

Meanwhile, the giant elves are waiting patiently for their place at the entrance. I've been joking that if we keep spending at this rate, we may become a nonprofit. Trust me, I realize that every purchase adds to the cost of creating this experience, and it probably isn't the business decision most people would make. But then I picture those elves standing guard outside and the children walking in, ready to report for duty with Santa. I want them to feel as if they have truly arrived at his Elf Academy. That's why we keep fussing over all these little things.

large girl elf in red outfit paining a little blue train
Elf Academy Shipping Cart for Magical Santa Session near Mars and Cranberry Township

Before I sign off, I want to write an update on all the construction. The Elf Academy is finally starting to take shape.  Dan built a table and bench for the children because they couldn't find any that looked quite the way Julie Jingles wanted. Once again, she was right. Designing rooms is one of her elf superpowers.

Mrs. Claus came over to help me sew a big bag to sit beneath the toy chute than Julie Jingles added an Elf Academy Logo on the outside arter she finished building her elf tree.

Discover the Experience”

In between everything else, I've started looking up addresses and printing envelopes for the letters from Santa. Seeing the children's names on those envelopes gave me that familiar little flutter: Oh! This is really happening soon. And, if I'm honest, a little panic too. Will we be ready for our Magical Santa Sessions by the beginning of November? We already have over 30 families counting on us.

I still intend to write here every week. I also intend to stay out of Walmart for a while.

We'll see how both of those plans go.

 

Follow the Journey...

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

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: 

Week 5 - The Magic is in the Details 

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Marsha Lonchena, Master Photographer and Photographic Artist
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