What is Christmas? It’s about the presents and that big tree
inside the house – at least when you’re between the ages of 3 and
5.

The Era spoke to preschool students at the Rainbow Corner
Preschool of CARE for Children to find out about Christmas and
family traditions.

“It’s about Baby Jesus,” said Delanie Difonzo, age 4, who
explained that the season is special. At her house, “I help
decorate the tree, and my Uncle Kenny and Jane help.”

And there’s some traveling in the seasonal plans as well, to get
to both grandparents’ homes and to Uncle Martin’s house in Buffalo,
N.Y.

“He has a house bigger than ours,” she said, holding her arms
far apart. “Lots of people live in there,” dropping her voice to a
whisper, “so we gotta be really quiet. They might be sleeping.”

Conner Bisker, age 4, said the all important thing to remember
at Christmas time is this: “Be good.”

Just at Christmas time? Conner smiled a little, shook his head,
and said kids should probably be good all the time, but Santa’s
watching at Christmas.

Why are there presents at Christmas?

“Because Santa brings them,” explained Karley Orner, age 5. And
why does he bring them?

“Because he wants Christmas to be happy,” Karley said.
“Christmas is happy because of the presents.”

What do you do at Christmas time?

“We decorate our tree and we put the star on top and we go to
bed and wait for Santa to come,” said Karl Gangloff, age 4. “I stay
up late and wait for Santa. I sleep downstairs.”

“You can’t,” whispered Karley, “then he won’t come!”

How does Santa fit all those gifts in the sleigh?

“The elves,” Karl said, shrugging his shoulders as if to say
adults should know these things.

“Probably Mrs. Claus helps,” Conner said.

What will Santa be bringing this year?

“I want a black spider and a blue castle with all the knights,”
said Ayden Manning, age 3. “My mom reads to me at bedtime.”

What’s your favorite part of Christmas? “When Santa comes down
the chimney,” Ayden said.

“Santa gets you all them toys!” agreed Alyssa Persichini, age 5.
She spends the holidays decorating the tree and baking cookies but
goes right for the presents on Christmas morning.

Danielle Abbott, age 5, a little shy while being questioned,
said her favorite part of Christmas was Santa “bringing toys!” And,
she’s good all year long, and yes, her mother would agree that was
true, she said.

If you’re not good, “NO presents!”

Danielle likes to go look at the Christmas lights, and likes it
when the houses are really lit up bright with all kinds of
lights.

Marissa Buccolini, age 3, said she likes giving presents at
Christmas time, too – and watching TV and singing songs, “like
ABC’s.”

She explained the job of the all-important reindeer. “They are
up in the sky.” And oh yeah, they bring Santa. And Santa brings
presents.

What’s your favorite part of Christmas? “TV!” she said
happily.

Zayne Ackley, age 3, said Christmas means toys.

“Ho Ho gave me presents,” he said, explaining what happened at
Christmas last year. So this year, he’s asking for more. “I want
Spiderman and Mr. Bones.”

John Patterson, age 4, is a little worried about Mr. Claus
finding his way into his house this year. “I don’t have a chimney.
I don’t know how he’s going to get in my house.

“I want a Batman toy,” he added.

But Santa’s magic, and he always finds a way, assured preschool
aide Janice Stiles. “Yay!” John said, before running off to
play.

It is almost time for that holiday magic, when “Ho Ho comes, and
Rudolph the Nose,” said Braden Maholic, age 3. “Ho Ho gave me
candy. I can’t remember what kind. I want a Mr. Bones and a
Spiderman. Spiderman shoots out webs.”

Why do you have a tree in your house for Christmas? “Because you
have to.”

What if you don’t? “Then Ho Ho won’t come,” Braden said.

Meagan Owens, age 3, knows just how this Santa business
works.

“Santa goes up on top of the roof and comes down the chimney and
comes to our tree and goes back out. He climbs back up the
chimney.”

What does he do when he’s at the tree? “He puts presents under
it for everyone,” Meagan explained.

And then what? “You open them,” she said, smiling.

Director Kimberly Engstrom teaches the preschool session at the
CARE for Children office on Russell Boulevard.