The inevitable sounds of Christmas have arrived. This morning, I muddled my way through Latin class listening to Latin Christmas Carols. We were told we would have to listen to more Christmas Carols tomorrow at an assembly - unfortunately, this time they were in English and less easily ignored. At a bookstore,"Jingle Bells" was being played over the speakers. It was not long before I found myself remembering other songs."O Christmas Tree" and"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" joined in the subtle form of torture...

Fortunately for me, the cynical view of Christmas left me. I began to remember the good parts of Christmas as well: Time out of school, few obligations to other people, presents, and the occasional Magic draft with friends. As is common in my Life I ended up going home and burying my nose in a few stacks of Magic cards. After my back began to ache I began looking at Apprentice. Upon seeing the gargantuan list of cards I thought,"Is there a Christmas in the land of Magic?" With this thought in mind I began to delve deep in the mines of information I had access to.

I struck my first find: Goblin Ski Patrol. I continued searching and found Goblin Snowman and Goblin Sledder. Unable to find any more notable subjects I was disturbed; is there so little Christmas in this game I love? So I continued searching with a new Idea in mind: Gifts. I quickly uncovered Eladamri's Vinyard, Varchild's War Riders, and Awakening. I also realized the"morph" creatures were ideal presents. Nicely packaged in a 2/2 with no creature type, they could be anything in disguise. Try to see what this present is by shaking it! Also, just because the nicely-packaged morph creature is a Blistering Firecat trying to eat you alive, or if there is an Aether Flash and Burning Sands out with Varchild's War Riders, they create a humorous combination, or just because Eladamri's Vinyard can hurt you - well, that doesn't mean anything. It's the thought that counts. You gave them a very nice present, if the present hurts them the problem is certainly on their side. They must lack people skills when dealing with ravenous beasts.

To round out this list of cards, and turn it into a casual deck I threw in Orcish Spies, so you can know what presents you will be receiving for Christmas. Some Fountain of Youths will offset the damage Eladamri's Vineyard might cause you - and Fyndhorn Elves, because what Christmas party is complete without elves running around? Although in this case they may slit someone's throat... And Goblin Lyres for coin flipping fun, besides there are some instances where music is necessary, and this is definitely one of them. Plus who can resist using the Snow-Covered lands?

Merry Christmas:

Lands:
11 Snow-Covered Forests
11 Snow-Covered Mountains

Creatures:
4 Fyndhorn Elves
4 Varchild's War Riders
3 Blistering Firecat
3 Skirk Commando
3 Goblin Snowman
2 Orcish Spy
2 Goblin Ski Patrol

Other Spells:
4 Burning Sands
4 Aether Flash
3 Eladamri's Vineyard
2 Awakening
2 Fountain of Youth
2 Goblin Lyre

Hopefully now whenever I feel overwhelmed with the songs I don't particularly like I will think of the wonderful celebration of Christmas in the land of"Magic."