Title: Letters to Santa
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length: 799 words
Summary: The inhabitants and visitors to 221B Baker Street have written to Santa

De Watson collected up the small pieces of paper which had been laid by the fire overnight.  It was his job to do so, since Holmes was only too likely to set fire to one without considering what he was doing.  And that would never do, for these were the Letters to Santa.

Although the doctor knew most of the writers didn’t believe in Santa, and some only participated since they had drunk rather too much the evening before, he was never sure whether one or two believed, or whether they were simply hedging their bets. 

Whatever the case, he carefully read the letters and made a note of the requests.

Dear Santa,

I am in need of a new tutu; Mr Holmes having trodden on the hem of my old one.  I hear there is some lovely turquoise organza which would do very nicely.

Yours sincerely

Ocelot

One turquoise tutu
Watson bought the material and Aemelia and Mouselet made up the tutu without difficulty.

Dear Santa,

I have lost yet another glove.  I wouldn’t mind if I lost one right glove and one left one, at least I would then have a pair to keep my hands warm even if they didn’t match.  And no-one notices this weather what I have on my hands, except me.  I notice, because my hands are cold.  Again.

If you wouldn’t mind

G Lestrade

One pair of leather gloves (dark)
An easy request to meet.

Dear Mr Claus,

Please could I have some ribbons.  Not the cheap ones, which the haberdasher’s sell as end of roll, but a nice pack with a variety of different colours, for trimming hats.

Thank you

Aemelia Vole

Good quality pack of different coloured ribbons
Another easy request to meet

Dear Santa,

What I’d really like is one of the little flowery brooches to have on a ribbon to wear round my neck.  The Ferret says I can ask for anything, but I don’t want to be greedy, only one of these would be really pretty.  Just a little one, if I could.

Thank you very much

Poley the Moley

Flowery brooch plus velvet ribbon
Watson found a little brooch in a second-hand shop and Mouselet threaded it onto the ribbon.

Dear Fathr Crisssmss Santa,

Please could I have a new scarf.  I would like a red one which is nice and cheerful, not boring.

I’m not sure Nanny would say I’ve been good this year, but I’ve done my best.

Respectfully

Stanley Hopkins

Red tartan scarf
Watson knew that Hopkins would never wear a bright red scarf, despite his drunken request, but the red tartan was fashionable and added colour without looking out of place.

Dear Santa,

I would like my own pot of marmalade and if possible a few small oranges.  The last pot of marmalade came complete with ferret head, and by the time we’d got him out again, no-one felt like eating the marmalade.

Sincerely

Sloth

Pot of marmalade and three oranges
Watson chose a pot with a stiff lid, which the Sloth would have no trouble opening, but which would defeat the Ferret.

Santa,

I would like tickets for the Sarasate concert at the Royal Albert Hall in February.  You know my preferred seats.

SH

Book concert tickets
Holmes always asked for concert tickets and was delighted to receive them every year.

Dearest Santa,

Can my beloved inspector come and live with us?  If not, I would like him to come for Christmas dinner, please.

Also, I know we’re not allowed candles, due to Mr Holmes being something I can’t spell, but I do like a bit of wax, and am not worried about it being lit.

Thank you very much

Mouselet

Candle stub
Stanley Hopkins had already been invited for Christmas dinner.  Watson found a candle stub from which the wick had fallen out, so he carved a bow on the front of the candle and stuck a few Palma violets in as decoration.

Dear Santa,

My list is here:
Super hero cloaks (three)
Purple waistcoat
Red and yellow waistcoat
Top hat
Large sausage roll
Small trifle
Bonbons

Ferret X

PS Large tin of toffees

Kite
The Ferret’s list could be safely ignored, as it was every year.  The kite would keep him entertained until it flew away.  There was never any danger he would fly away with the kite.

Dear Santa,

My requests are simple.  Lily of the valley scented soaps and a large bottle of gin.

Thank you

M Hudson (Mrs)

Lily of the valley soaps.
The gin was a given – Watson had already bought it.

The only one who hadn’t written a letter was Watson himself.  He wasn’t worried, he knew Holmes would buy him something totally unexpected but entirely appropriate, without any help from Santa at all.