'I Saw Grandma Kissing Santa Claus': Christmas Card Takes On A Classic
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A favorite holiday tune is "I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus."
But what happens when you see great-grandma with her lips planted on Santa?
Family and friends of this playful Twin Cities couple are in for a treat when a Christmas Card with a memorable photo arrives in the mail. The couple's daughter played a key role in the photo shoot.
Mary and Bill Peterson live in Bloomington and described how their daughter came up with an interesting plan for a photo shoot.
"She always has an idea -- very creative," Mary said. "I never would have thought of going to see Santa."
Not only did Mary Peterson see Santa, she sat in his lap and kissed him, right in front of her husband Bill.
"That was good wasn't it?" he said. "I thought that was wonderful."
The staff at Tonkadale Greenhouse in Minnetonka thought it was wonderful too. They shared the photo on Facebook Sunday, shortly after it was taken by Mary and Bill Peterson's daughter Cacky Bell, a professional photographer.
"Bill's reaction was totally natural," she said. "He was like, 'I can't believe you're doing this Mary!'"
At 91 and 93 years old, Mary and Bill have no problem trying new things late in life. They didn't get married until they were in their mid-70s.
"I lost my husband and Bill lost his wife, and we had a very good friend who arranged a blind date," Mary said.
They've been married now for 16 years and are planning to send out about 100 of the photo cards.
"We have a long Christmas list," she said. "We've lost a few -- quite a few. But we will go through our telephone book and address book."
Her daughter is thrilled with the way the picture turned out, and hopes it makes some folks smile.
"It's all about family, and bringing joy and happiness in everyone's life, for just a little time," she said.
Bill and Mary's daughter used to take pictures of them at Thanksgiving for their Christmas card, but this year she was out of town and not able to do it.
That's why she decided to try something new.
