Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo
Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you
For many, December is filled with do's and don't to prepare for Santa's arrival. We do our best, try to stay off the naughty list, prepare our letter and gift list for Santa. As the the 24th approaches, we also ensure we have fresh backed cookies and cold mild for Santa's visit. We want everything just right for Santa's fireplace appearance.
What many of us fail to do however, is ensure our chimney is ready for entry. Nobody likes a dirty chimney, especially Santa, and it's important to get our chimney's checked and cleaned on a regular basis, especially if they're not getting entered, or no being used that often the other twelve months of the year.
In order for Santa to have a smooth and pleasant entry, you must ensure your flue is ready and open for business. There's nothing worse for Santa than to thrust himself down, only to find the opening is too tight, or closed for entry. The easiest way to ensure a fluid entrance is to have your chute ready ready by checking for any cracks or issues before the big night.
Once the opening is prepared, it's then time to make sure Santa has not only a safe runway, but also a safe and satisfying landing. This meaning trimming around the base and making sure that Santa is well versed with how best to get his well wrapped package down the chimney and under your tree, ready for opening. It takes a bit of work, but in the end it's worth it to ensure Santa has as a safe ride.
As Vinny so beautifully demonstrates, putting a little time and effort into chimney preparation makes Christmas so much merrier. Like a cat rubbing against their owner, Vinny rubs his body against every brick, and every nook and cranny of the chimney's base and entry. Vinny wants to ensure Santa can't miss his scent when the sleigh rides over his home the night of the 24th. Vinny is ready!
Photographer Richard Rothsteinwas fortunate to be able to capture Vinny's chimney preparation. For most of us, sweeping our chimney is a private ritual, not often shared or visually captured. Vinny's fireplace ballet is not only beautiful, it's also a great teaching moment to ensure that despite the fire and ignition, Santa doesn't get burned.
For those without a fireplace, or open chimney for entering, there are other ways for Santa to slide in. Vinny shows us how to attract the merry gift giver with only a window or door on PAGE 2 HERE:
