The best Christmas gift I ever received actually came from Old Saint Nick from the North Pole. In fact, here is the story of when it all began...

It all began on a cold Christmas eve night when I woke up to something ever so slowly slip down our chimney. Cautiously, I crept out of my bed and down the stairs. That was the very night I met Santa in his fluffy red and white
suit with the pompom on his hat. Santa looked at me with a jolly glimmer in his eye. Now don't get me wrong, but Santa didn't look how you would imagine him to look. He still has a big beard and is all jolly and has white hair, but he was young and not so plump.

He gently said, "If you want any presents you have to go back to bed.''

I didn't take any chances-I went straight back to bed!
The next morning I ran downstairs. But to my great disappointment there was only one lonely present under the tree. There wasn't even a name on it. I ran into my mom and dad's room and said, "Mom, Dad! There is only one present and I think it's my fault! I awoke to Santa coming down our chimney. I think I made him mad."

My mom replied, "Don't worry, Tommy. When you were a baby Santa did the same thing. You said he left only one large gift?"

I nodded, this was the biggest present I'd ever seen!

My dad said, "Let's go open it!"

We all went and opened it. I couldn't believe what it was! We unwrapped a tent, fire starter, traps, and a turkey, raccoon, fox, and coyote caller. Over the next couple of weeks our whole family went out camping and trapping. I never would have thought trapping could be so much fun! We went swimming, we told stories, we wrote funny poems, and trapped three fox, two raccoons, six squirrels, one coyote, and we called in five turkeys. We had so much fun! I laugh just thinking about it. Eventually though, we got hungry and I got sick, so we had to go home. We still go trapping every once in a while, but that very first time when I got that wonder full gift will always be my favorite. Santa often leaves one large gift for our family. All of them have been trapping related... which has me wondering... will I grow up to be a pro trapper?!?
…that is the story of my best Christmas present ever received. THE END




By: Matthew Duliba
Age: 8
New York

One Christmas I wanted a toy car and I got one! But I also wanted a toy phone.
So I wrote a letter to Santa.
He got my letter and I got it! And I was happy.
The end.

Jude Caleb Lujan from North Idaho. Turned 6 years old last week.

One Christmas, I wanted a new oilskin jacket to go trapping with my dad. I wrote a letter to Santa, it said’ “Dear Santa, I would like a new oilskin jacket.” And he received my letter!

On Christmas Day, I opened up my present and it was my oilskin jacket! And it was the best Christmas present I ever had.

John Logan Lujan, Age 8, North Idaho

Nice job everyone! Looks great.

You all done very well

Very nice pictures and stories kids. I enjoyed them thanks for taking the time to draw and wright them. Good luck.

Great job kids. Keep the stories and artwork coming. Eric

Good stories and it looks like we have some good artists as well. Excellent job and kudos to Mr. Goodman for doing this wonderful contest. Good luck everyone!

Very cool pictures with way more talent than I have.

Emma Pingel age 12. Wisconsin
Christmas is tomorrow, and I haven't decided what I want yet. I mean, there is so much, but find interest in little. I scroll through Amazon, nothing. I walk through the mall, nothing.
I stared at my stocking hanging above the fireplace. My stocking isn't one of those boring ones. It had bows and purses on it. Doesn't help. I wander around the house, waiting for an idea to hit me. Suddenly, I hear yelling. I run over to the widow to find my mom out by the tractors, running in circles, trying to get away from a rabid raccoon. I can't help but laugh. I jump away from the window with the best Christmas present idea. I could get traps, lures, baits, a hammer, sifter, and knives. I could start a new hobby! I live on a ranch in Kansas, and I have plenty of area to trap. This could be the start of a new life, helping the world. Mom won't get chased by rabid raccoons with the future best trapper living in her house.
I list all I need on a piece of paper and give it to a dove to bring to Santa..... No, sadly, that's not what happened. I just put it in the mailbox at the end of the driveway. Hopefully, Santa gets it in time. If he doesn't, hopefully he knows I don't like dolls.
Well, there goes dad, screaming too. I speed walk back to the house before the raccoon sees me as well.
I wake up early, running down the long flight of stairs. I walk into the living room where there are a ton of presents.
Mom and dad come downstairs yawning. I tare open presents and find just what I wanted. Traps, sifters, hammers, and knives all to myself. I head outside with all my stuff, put tags on the traps, and start setting.
Merry Christmas. And a Happy New Year!

Great job to everyone !!!

GREAT stories and WOW, what talent these kids have shown in their drawings! Thank you for sharing these with us!
I hope Santa is good to you!
Merry Christmas!

Nice works being put forth!!!

Great job by all of the contestants

Good luck to all of you

Love the stories. Brings me back to my youth. Keep em' coming!

Merry Christmas to ALL of the contest kids! I have seen some very nice writings and creative drawings by the young outdoors people. It is going to be difficult to choose the winner.
Good luck to you all.

FANTASTIC work from these youngsters!
And a BIG Thank You to Mr. Goodman for putting this on!

This from a guy who can't draw a straight line even while using a ruler keep up the good work and I've enjoyed reading your stories and looking at your drawings !

Allan

Nice work!

To all that have already entered well done No matter the outcome you need to practice your skills to improve And that means you practice against the best in order to learn what you need to get better att And some day you might just find yourself at th top with the rest trying to catch you It could be you are the winner but trying is the only way to know .