holiday mischief

by Bill Tiepelman

A Twinkle in Santa’s Eye

Santa’s Twinkling Eye It was a snowy Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus had just slid down his umpteenth chimney of the night. Brushing soot from his suit, he adjusted his belt and took a moment to admire the cozy living room he’d entered. Twinkling lights on the tree cast a warm glow, stockings hung neatly over the fireplace, and the faint aroma of gingerbread filled the air. But something felt… different. Oddly magical. Before he could pinpoint the source of his unease, a shimmering glow caught his attention. Perched atop the armchair, with legs crossed and a mischievous smile, was a fairy like no other. Her sparkling pink dress hugged her figure, and her iridescent wings glimmered in the light of the Christmas tree. A single flower nestled in her golden curls completed the look. She radiated sass, sparkle, and just a touch of trouble. “Well, well, well,” she purred, resting her chin on her hand, “the man of the hour, all dressed up and ready to slay.” Santa froze, his twinkling eyes widening behind his spectacles. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice equal parts curious and cautious. The fairy hopped gracefully off the chair, her glittering heels clicking against the wooden floor. “Oh, don’t act so surprised, Saint Nick. I’ve been on your Nice and Naughty list for years. You’ve just never had the pleasure of meeting me in person.” “Is that so?” Santa replied, folding his arms over his jolly belly. “And which list do you belong to?” She laughed, a sound like tinkling bells, and fluttered her wings. “Depends on who’s asking. But judging by the way you’re blushing, I’d say I’m solidly in the middle.” Santa chuckled, his cheeks indeed rosy, though whether it was from the warmth of the fire or her teasing tone, even he wasn’t sure. “Well, Miss Fairy, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got gifts to deliver.” She blocked his path with a playful pout. “Gifts? Is that all you’re about? Come on, Santa, where’s the fun? You’ve been working hard for centuries—don’t you deserve a little mischief now and then?” “Mischief?” Santa asked, raising a bushy eyebrow. “I’ve got all the mischief I can handle up at the North Pole. Ever met a reindeer on a sugar rush? Trust me, you don’t want to.” The fairy tilted her head, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, please. I’ve seen you wink at elves when Mrs. Claus isn’t looking. Don’t act so innocent.” Santa gasped in mock offense. “Wink? I don’t wink!” “Mm-hmm,” she said, crossing her arms and tapping a glittery heel. “And I don’t sprinkle fairy dust. Face it, big guy, you’ve got a twinkle in your eye that could light up the entire North Pole. But don’t worry, I’m not here to judge. I’m here to help.” “Help?” Santa repeated, his curiosity piqued. “What kind of help are we talking about?” The fairy grinned and produced a tiny mistletoe wand from behind her back. “Oh, you’ll see. Let’s just say I specialize in adding a little sparkle to Christmas. Now, sit tight and let me work my magic.” Santa took a cautious step back. “Listen, Miss Fairy, I appreciate the offer, but I really do have work to do—” “Work schmirk,” she interrupted, waving her wand. Suddenly, the room filled with a shower of glittering snowflakes, each one catching the light like a tiny star. Santa’s red suit sparkled, his boots gleamed, and even his hat seemed to puff up with extra fluff. He glanced down at himself, bewildered. “What in the North Pole is going on?” he exclaimed. The fairy clapped her hands with delight. “Now that’s what I call festive! You’re practically glowing, Santa. You’ll thank me later.” Santa shook his head, trying to brush the glitter off his suit, but it clung stubbornly. “You know, Mrs. Claus is going to have questions about this.” “Mrs. Claus?” the fairy said, her wings fluttering as she leaned closer. “She doesn’t have to know. Our little secret.” Santa’s eyes widened. “You’re trouble, you know that?” “And you love it,” she replied with a wink. Despite himself, Santa laughed. “Alright, you win. But only if you promise to keep this between us. I can’t have the elves thinking I’ve gone soft.” The fairy saluted him, her expression mock-serious. “Your secret’s safe with me, Santa. Now go spread that Christmas cheer—and don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way.” With a final swirl of glitter, she vanished, leaving Santa alone in the glowing room. He shook his head, a bemused smile on his face. “Fairies,” he muttered, adjusting his hat. “They always know how to keep things interesting.” And with that, he climbed back up the chimney, his suit sparkling more than ever, and continued his journey. But every now and then, as he delivered gifts, he’d catch his reflection in a frosted window and chuckle. The fairy had been right—there was a twinkle in his eye. And maybe, just maybe, he liked it that way.     Santa’s Twinkling Eye (A Poem) Santa came down the chimney with flair, Caught off guard by a sparkle in the air. Perched on his shoulder, a fairy so fine, Draped in glitter, wings a-shine. “Well, well,” she said with a sly little grin, “Fancy meeting you here, all covered in sin!” “Sin?” Santa laughed, adjusting his hat, “It’s soot, my dear—don’t tease me like that!” The fairy winked and tossed her hair, “You bring the gifts, I bring the flair. Who knew Saint Nick could look so spry? Careful, big guy, you’re catching my eye!” Santa blushed, his cheeks cherry red, “It’s the cocoa,” he mumbled, “gone to my head.” “Oh please,” she cooed, “I’ve seen you in action, Winking at elves with too much distraction!” “Well, Miss Fairy, you’re bold, I’ll admit, But flirt all you like, I’m too old to commit.” She giggled and perched a bit closer in place, “Just teasing, dear Santa—you’re hard to replace.” The snowflakes twirled as they shared a laugh, With mistletoe hanging from her fairy staff. “Ho ho,” he chuckled, “you’re full of surprise, But flirty fairies could lead to my demise!” She leaned in close, her lips full of cheer, “Merry Christmas, dear Santa, now bring me my beer!”     Image Archive This whimsical and enchanting holiday image, "A Twinkle in Santa’s Eye," is available for prints, downloads, and licensing through our image archive. Bring the festive magic to your own projects, whether it’s for holiday cards, seasonal decor, or creative designs! Click here to explore this image in our archive.

by Bill Tiepelman

Grinchmas Glow: A Festive Heist

'Twas the night before Christmas, and down in the town, All the Who-humans snored with their screens powered down. No tweets, no TikToks, no reels full of fluff, Just silence—and houses with far too much stuff. But high in the hills, in his dank little cave, The Grinch in his onesie was plotting, quite brave. “Oh, these humans are hopeless,” he cackled with glee, “They're lazy and clueless—an easy mark for me!” His fluffy red Santa suit hugged his green gut, While his oversized hat perched atop his green butt. With a candy cane clenched in his mischievous grip, He hopped on his sleigh for his annual trip. Down, down he soared through the cold winter air, With a fart so explosive, it froze his own hair. “Damn that last burrito,” he grumbled and wheezed, “But tonight’s haul will make me feel properly pleased!” He landed his sled on a roof slick with ice, Then grumbled, “These humans should shovel. How nice!” He slipped and he slid, swore words quite obscene, Before plopping face-first into a vent duct unseen. Inside the first house, the Grinch struck a pose— A thief in his prime, from his head to his toes. The Christmas tree sparkled, the stockings were hung, And the air smelled of eggnog, old cheese, and dung. “What do we have here?” the Grinch whispered low, As he rummaged through stockings with gusto and glow. He pocketed candy, stole socks with a smirk, Then tiptoed to the kitchen to get down to work. On the counter he spied a plate full of treats— Cookies and whiskey! His favorite sweets! He scarfed down the snacks, licked his fingers with glee, And let out a burp that woke the family tree. The ornaments shook, the lights started blinking, But the Grinch didn’t stop—he kept right on drinking. “Cheers to myself!” he declared with a cheer, “These suckers won’t know I’ve been robbing them here!” He raided the fridge, he emptied the drawers, He snagged all the gifts and then some decor. The wreath from the door? Into his sack! The vacuum cleaner? “Sure, why not pack?” But then, as he grabbed a smartphone and drone, A strange little whir made him pause and postpone. For there on the floor, with its sensors aglow, A Roomba emerged, like a knight from the snow. “What’s this little beast?” sneered the Grinch, unimpressed. “A robot with wheels? How quaint. How suppressed.” But the Roomba zoomed forward, its motor on high, And the Grinch felt a jolt as it zipped ‘tween his thighs. “Oi! Stop that, you bastard!” the Grinch howled in pain, As the Roomba spun circles and charged him again. He tripped on the carpet, he slipped on the tree, And landed face-first by the family’s TV. “Enough!” cried the Grinch, but the Roomba whizzed by, Beeping and buzzing with vengeance nearby. It nudged at his sack, it tangled his feet, And the Grinch knew this gadget had him beat. He scrambled and stumbled, his sack left behind, As the Roomba pursued him with one thing in mind. Out through the door and onto the lawn, The Grinch fled the house like a thief at the dawn. Back to his sled he retreated, quite sore, With a bruised little ego and pride even more. “No loot for me tonight,” he muttered and spat, “All thanks to that robot—a pest in a hat!” Now back in his cave, with his plan gone awry, The Grinch sat and pondered, his candy cane dry. He stared at the whiskey he’d swiped from the shelf, And muttered, “Next year, I’ll just rob Santa himself.” So if you hear giggles this Christmas Eve night, It’s the Grinch in his onesie, recounting his plight. For though he’s still stealing, he learned one great moral: Never mess with a Roomba—it’s deadly, not floral. And so ends the tale of the Grinch’s defeat, A festive reminder: Don’t underestimate neat. Your gadgets may save you, your robots may rule, But never let burglars take you for a fool.     This image, titled "Grinchmas Glow: A Festive Heist", is available for prints, downloads, and licensing. Explore it further and bring the mischievous Grinch into your collection by visiting our Image Archive.

by Bill Tiepelman

Holiday Mischief with the Reindeer Rider

In the heart of the Snowdrop Forest, where icicles glittered like chandeliers and snowflakes fell as soft as whispers, the annual Festival of Antlers was underway. Every winter, the reindeer gathered to show off their most dazzling decorations, from gold garlands to glittering baubles. For the forest folk, it was the highlight of the season. For Burlap Tinseltoes, the gnome with a reputation for mischief, it was an irresistible opportunity. “This year,” Burlap announced, adjusting his oversized red hat dusted with snow, “I’m going to steal the spotlight—literally.” He stood in front of his trusty steed, a reindeer named Jinglehoof, who looked less than thrilled. “With your antlers and my genius, we’ll be the talk of the festival. All we need are a few... adjustments.” Jinglehoof let out a resigned snort as Burlap pulled a satchel from his sled. Inside was an assortment of ornaments, tinsel, and something ominously labeled “glow powder.” “Trust me,” Burlap said with a wink. “This is going to be spectacular.” The Decorating Disaster As the sun set, Burlap began his masterpiece. He wove strings of twinkling lights through Jinglehoof’s antlers, hung shiny red and gold ornaments at every available branch, and tied a glittery bell to the reindeer’s tail. For the grand finale, he sprinkled the glow powder over everything. “It’s enchanted,” Burlap explained as Jinglehoof shook glitter out of his fur. “When the moonlight hits it, you’ll sparkle like the Northern Lights!” The reindeer in the neighboring stalls looked on with a mix of admiration and secondhand embarrassment. “You’ll thank me later,” Burlap said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. Jinglehoof now resembled a cross between a Christmas tree and a firework display. “Perfection!” Burlap declared. “Now, let’s make an entrance.” The Festival Begins The Festival of Antlers was held in a snowy clearing lit by glowing lanterns. Reindeer paraded through the crowd, their antlers adorned with ribbons, garlands, and other festive decorations. The forest folk clapped and cheered, marveling at the creativity on display. Then came Burlap and Jinglehoof. Or, more accurately, Burlap came riding in at full speed, waving like a maniac while Jinglehoof galloped reluctantly into the clearing. The reindeer’s antlers lit up like a disco ball, scattering beams of multicolored light across the snow. The crowd gasped, then burst into laughter and applause. “Ladies and gentle-creatures!” Burlap announced, standing on Jinglehoof’s back and nearly toppling off. “Behold the most dazzling display in Festival history! Feast your eyes on Jinglehoof, the Reindeer of Radiance!” The crowd roared with laughter and cheers, but not everyone was impressed. Elder Hollyhorn, the head judge of the Festival, stepped forward, her antlers dripping with icicles. “This is highly unconventional,” she sniffed, glaring at Burlap. “And... is that glitter?” “Not just glitter,” Burlap said with a grin. “Magically enhanced glitter.” He snapped his fingers, and the glow powder activated. Jinglehoof’s antlers sparkled so brightly they could be seen from the next village. The crowd “ooohed” and “aaahed” as Elder Hollyhorn squinted in disapproval. The Mishap As Burlap was basking in his triumph, a wayward squirrel, hypnotized by the glittering antlers, leapt onto Jinglehoof’s head. The reindeer reared in surprise, sending Burlap tumbling into a snowdrift. The squirrel, now clinging to the antlers, panicked and accidentally triggered the bell on Jinglehoof’s tail. The enchanted bell let out a loud, echoing chime that startled every reindeer in the clearing. Chaos erupted. Reindeer dashed in every direction, their ornaments flying off like festive shrapnel. A garland-wearing fox tried to calm the crowd but ended up tangled in a string of lights. Elder Hollyhorn was nearly trampled by a stampede of candy-cane-clad fawns. Burlap poked his head out of the snow just in time to see Jinglehoof racing toward the forest, still glowing like a meteor. “Come back!” Burlap shouted, scrambling to his feet. “We haven’t even taken our victory lap!” The Aftermath It took an hour to round up the runaway reindeer, and by the time Jinglehoof was retrieved, his decorations were askew, and Burlap was banned from entering the Festival “for the foreseeable future.” Elder Hollyhorn handed him a broom and pointed at the glitter-covered clearing. “Start sweeping,” she said sternly. Burlap sighed but couldn’t suppress a grin as he watched the crowd chatter excitedly about the night’s events. Sure, it hadn’t gone exactly as planned, but he’d succeeded in making the Festival unforgettable. “Not bad for a gnome with a bag of glitter,” he muttered, sweeping up a pile of glow powder. Jinglehoof nudged him with his nose, looking equally tired and amused. Burlap patted his glowing antlers. “Same time next year?” he asked. The reindeer snorted, which Burlap took as a yes. As he trudged home through the snow, Burlap was already scheming his next big idea. After all, the holidays weren’t about perfection—they were about fun, laughter, and just a little bit of chaos.    Bring the Holiday Magic Home Love Burlap and Jinglehoof’s festive mischief? Bring the joy and laughter of their holiday adventure into your home with our exclusive collection of whimsical products: Tapestries: Add a touch of festive charm to your walls with this magical winter scene. Throw Pillows: Cozy up with Burlap’s mischief and Jinglehoof’s glowing antlers on a comfy holiday pillow. Puzzles: Piece together the fun with a delightful puzzle featuring this whimsical duo. Greeting Cards: Share the laughter and festive spirit with friends and family through these charming holiday cards. Start your collection today and let Burlap and Jinglehoof bring the magic of the holidays to your home!