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The elves of Framingham Some of the best holiday traditions are new traditions inspired by young ones, as is ours. The preparation for our family tradition actually begins a year in advance, collecting misfit socks from the laundry room, and culminates on the morning of Christmas Eve. At sunrise, the garage door opens at Cavanaugh Road in Framingham, and nothing is the same, at least not for another year. Our beat-up wheelbarrow becomes a jingle bell sleigh. Our three little girls become elf-like clones. Summer sand from Humarock Beach becomes Christmas dust. Old socks become holiday stockings. Doorknobs become mantles and the ordinary becomes a winter wonderland. Loaded with a thermos filled with hot chocolate and a sleigh fill with good cheer, the elves begin their journey. From Cavanaugh Road to Pitt, then over to Hastings, around to Beacon Street and then up to Morse Road. House to house, door to door, delivering decorated misfit socks - now holiday stockings. Each sock is stuffed with a mix of jingle bells, candy canes, painted pine cones, reindeer carrots, recipes and a special poem for the elves. The best part about this outdoor adventure is knowing that no one even knows it is happening - until it happens. That magic moment. When a neighbor goes out to fetch the morning paper while another starts their morning errand run. Only then do they realize that something special has just happened, as they see the stocking dangling from their doorknob. It is then that they feel the true spirit of the holiday season. Ho Ho Ho! THE KIEFER FAMILY Karen, Sam and The elves: McKenna, Madison and Emma Framingham

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