On Sunday Sam says, "Seven days until Christmas!
I'm going to be a super elf and help Mom and Dad get ready for Christmas.
Want to be a super elf with me?
You can help too!"
"OK, the first thing we need to do is write a letter to Santa," says Sam.
He grabs some paper and picks up a pen.
"What I really, really want most for Christmas is a surprise from the North Pole."
On Monday Sam says, "Six days until Christmas!
Come on elf, let's spruce up this tree.
Hey!
Here's the bell I made last year.
Listen to it jingle.
This one is from my first Christmas.
It's Mom's favorite."
Then Dad lifts Sam to put the star at the tippy top.
On Tuesday Sam says, "Five days until Christmas!
We need to put up the lights!
Our house has to be so bright that Santa can see it from way up high in his sleigh."
Mom and Sam cover the windows, trees, and shrubs in lights.
They check every bulb to make sure it lights up brightly.
On Wednesday Sam whispers, "Four days until Christmas!
Shhhh!
I'm making a gift for my mom and dad.
It's a birdhouse with a door that's a heart."
He pulls out his toolbox and finds all the pieces.
On Thursday Sam says, "Three days until Christmas!
Mom and Dad are going to love their present.
I picked the best wrapping paper.
The birdhouse makes such a funny shape!
Think they'll guess what it is?"
On Friday Sam says, "Two days until Christmas!
Let's bake cookies for Santa."
Ding!
They're done!
Time to add decorations and make them look great.
"Santa's going to love these gingerbread men!"
On Saturday Sam says, "One day until Christmas!
There's just one more thing left to do.
Time to hang the stockings!
Here's one for Mom and one for Dad.
But where is my stocking?"
Sam scratches his head.
His elf hat topples off with a jingle.
"Oh, yeah . . . oops," says Sam.
"My hat is my stocking too."
As day turns to night Sam says, "I can hardly wait for Santa!
I'm going to stay awake all night and wait for him."
But Sam is so tired—such a sleepy little elf.
"I have . . . to keep . . . my eyes open . . . to . . . meet . . . Santa . . ." But Sam falls
fast asleep.
Soon sleigh bell jingles fill the air.
There are footsteps up on the roof.
With a poof of soot, Santa appears.
"Ho, ho, ho!"
He sees Sam and tucks him in.
"Sweet dreams, little elf," whispers Santa.
Then he turns to the stockings to fill them to the top.
On Sunday Sam says, "It's Christmas Day!
Hooray!
Wait.
What's this?
A letter and present . . . for me?
They're from Santa!"
Sam unwraps the present and his eyes open wide.
"It's a snow globe . . . of the North Pole!
I can make it snow!
Look!"
Sam got just what he wanted from Santa.
"Santa thinks I'm helpful, just like a real elf!
I'm going to do it again next year, and next Christmas I'm definitely not going to fall
asleep."