The Reindeer Run

The Reindeer Run, the Santa Sprint, the Holiday Hustle…call it what you will, we’re in it! This is the time of year when our little small business brings in 45% of its entire annual revenue. Mom and Pop are cookin’ with gas over here.

Just yesterday we shipped 65 pounds of fudge. All that creamy goodness was made by one man—Mr. Candy himself, Craig. Every square of sweet delight was cut, wrapped, and labeled by this little elf right here. Then each Holiday Sampler was packed into our signature red box, tied with a festive ribbon, and topped off with a notecard featuring one of our Merrill Mischief Christmas paintings. Every card gets its own handwritten holiday message.

And then comes the tricky part…getting each Sampler—with its unique treats and unique message—into the right box, headed to the right address, in the right size package.

And here’s the weird part: Craig and I genuinely enjoy it.

Over the years, we’ve learned that all this “magic” goes best when we start early. By the time we close the shop each December day (yes, we’re open every single day in December), we head home for dinner and a date with our dogs. In years past, we’d go back to the shop afterward to pack orders and make fudge for the next day.

But this year? We’ve become morning elves. We’re at the store by 5:30–6:00 AM, starting the Santa Sprint with bright eyes, sharp minds, and coffee-fueled holiday spirit.

Each morning begins with a walk with the pups by flashlight, followed by a wonderfully hot cup of coffee—especially magical on chilly December mornings. Then we sit together, map out the day’s “elf assignments,” and head off to the shop to make holiday magic happen once again.

One of my favorite December moments is when our mailman beams with pride at the mountain of boxes waiting for him. He’s genuinely happy for us—and for the fact that our little squares of sweetness are heading out into the world to make someone’s day a little merrier