It was the night before Christmas Eve, and a hush had fallen over the snowy streets of Sussex. Twinkling fairy lights lined the houses, their golden glow reflecting off the frosty pavements. Inside Wickers Gymnastics, the festive spirit was in full swing. The final practice before the holidays had turned into a mini Christmas party. Tinsel was draped over the uneven bars, and the balance beams sparkled with glitter.
Ten-year-old Holly was in the centre of the action, her brown hair tied up in a red ribbon that matched her leotard. She laughed as her best friend Mia tried to balance a Santa hat while walking the beam. But despite the festive cheer, Holly couldn’t shake the tiny knot of frustration in her stomach. She’d been trying for weeks to master her back handspring, and every attempt left her just a little short of success.
As the session came to an end, the coaches handed out candy canes, and everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas. Holly lingered for a moment, gazing at the mat where she’d practised her back handspring again and again.
“You’ll get it, Holly,” her coach Sophie said, kneeling down to her level. “It just takes time. And remember, a little Christmas magic never hurts.”
Holly smiled and nodded, though she wasn’t quite sure she believed in magic anymore.
A Mysterious Night
That evening, Holly snuggled under her quilt, her room illuminated by the soft glow of Christmas lights strung around her window. She drifted off to sleep thinking about the other gymnasts in her group and how easily some of them seemed to land their skills.
In the middle of the night, Holly was awakened by a strange sound. It wasn’t the wind or the creak of her old radiator—it was a jingling, like sleigh bells.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw a faint glow by the window. And there, stepping out of what seemed to be a swirl of snowflakes, was a figure she could hardly believe: Santa Claus himself.
“Holly Matthews,” he said, his voice deep but warm, “you’ve made the nice list this year.”
“Santa?” she whispered, her eyes wide as baubles.
“The very same,” he said, his twinkling eyes crinkling with a smile. “But I’m not just here to check my list. I’ve heard you’ve been working very hard at gymnastics, but there’s one move that’s been troubling you.”
Holly’s cheeks turned pink. “My back handspring. I keep trying, but I can’t land it right.”
Santa chuckled softly. “Every gymnast faces a challenge, just like every elf learns to master their craft. I think I can help you.”
He reached into his sack and pulled out an object wrapped in shimmering red velvet. When Holly unfolded it, she found a pair of grips, glittering as though sprinkled with stardust.
“These are no ordinary grips,” Santa explained. “They’re enchanted with Christmas magic. But remember, the real magic lies within you. Shall we give them a try?”
A Magical Gym
In an instant, Holly found herself standing in the middle of Wickers Gymnastics. But it wasn’t quite the same. Snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, and garlands of holly and ivy adorned the walls. The mats were sprinkled with a sparkling frost that didn’t feel cold, and the uneven bars glowed softly, like Christmas lights.
Santa gestured to the mat. “Let’s start with the basics.”
Together, they practised drills, with Santa demonstrating surprisingly graceful moves. He performed a handstand with the precision of a seasoned gymnast, landing with a flourish and a wink. Holly laughed so hard she nearly toppled over.
As they worked through each step, Holly felt her confidence growing. The grips tingled against her hands, almost as if they were guiding her movements.
When the time came to try the full back handspring, Holly hesitated.
“What if I fall?” she asked.
Santa placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Falling is part of the journey, Holly. The important thing is to trust yourself and get back up.”
Taking a deep breath, Holly ran towards the mat, her heart pounding. She pushed off her hands, arched her body, and... landed perfectly on her feet.
“I did it!” she cried, her voice echoing through the magical gym.
Santa clapped his gloved hands together. “Brilliant work, Holly! I knew you had it in you.”
The Christmas Morning Surprise
As dawn broke over Sussex, Holly woke up to the sound of her little brother tearing into his presents downstairs. For a moment, she wondered if the night before had been a dream. But then she saw the sparkling grips on her bedside table, along with a small note written in elegant, looping script:
“The greatest magic of all is believing in yourself. Merry Christmas! —Santa”
Holly couldn’t wait to share her story with her friends at gymnastics. When she returned to the gym after Christmas, she showed her coach and teammates her perfected back handspring. They cheered and clapped, though Holly kept the magic grips a secret.
As she practised her routines that day, the spirit of Christmas lingered in her heart. She’d learned more than just a skill—she’d discovered the power of perseverance, belief, and a little sprinkle of magic.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Wickers Gymnastics! 🎄🤸♀️✨
Comments