Santa Hat Day!

If you grew up with Christmas, then you know that it can make otherwise sane adults get quite silly. I am not immune from this effect – far from it! With a few exceptions, most Christmas seasons I go back to being the kid who believes in Santa Claus. But, my spirit of fun can leave innocent victims in its wake … take our recent Santa hat photo day.

I am not one prone to dressing up my animals – no silly Halloween costumes, no matching booties and hat.

As my dog Macie can attest, horses are not my only Santa Hat victims. Here Macie is doing her best Grinch impression.

My critters’ clothing is limited to the purely utilitarian: blankets for warmth, boots for protection, etc. But when it comes to a Santa hat, all bets are off! No one is immune from donning the fuzzy red and white topper for posterity.

Recently the bug hit, and it was to be Santa Hat Day at our house. Coffee was our first victim. Poor Coffee puts up with most things we humans subject him to, so I knew he would be a good sport. A good sport, maybe … not so much a good model! The hat was no problem, jingle and all – but the whole standing still thing was such a bore! The first photos (like the one above) were in the grassy barnyard. Let him eat, and he stood still just fine … but that isn’t really his best angle …

We moved to the arena, to remove temptation from under his feet, and he immediately became bored with the whole thing. When something did catch his attention, it was always away from the camera. Behold some of the more amusing results …

"I hear this is how they're wearing them in Paris!" — “I hear this is how they’re wearing them in Paris!”

"How about an action shot?" — “How about an action shot?”

"Santa wants a carrot!" — “Santa wants a carrot!”

There are many more where those came from. He was as patient as a saint, but not a very cooperative saint! Still, we ended up with one or two successful shots.

As for the rest – Tally and Nash could not get past the jingle from the bell inside the fuzzy ball (all of our previous hats had no bells). We progressed only as far as not believing it would eat us – so wearing it was rather out of the question! Noble, on the other hand, came through for mommy – at least to the point of wearing the hat. As you can see, he was not quite embracing the holiday spirit that it embodies …

I think his expression rather says it all ... — I think his expression rather says it all …

But even when the hat fell over, he handled it with great tolerance ... this bodes well for the future silliness of life with me! — But even when the hat fell over, he handled it with great tolerance … this bodes well for the future silliness of life with me!

Well, Christmas has finally come, and with it a reprieve for the horses having to wear silly human clothing … for another year, anyway!

From my family, furred and otherwise, to yours – whatever you celebrate this December, we wish you all the warmth of the season. And may you find many joyful adventures awaiting you in the New Year!

Merry Christmas and thanks for reading!

Lia