Yuletide Day 1
✨ Happy December 1st! ✨
We love this time of year, when kindness feels a little easier and small joys seem to shine a little brighter. Throughout December, we will send a daily Yuletide surprise straight to your inbox or by text. We are keeping these off social media this year so they remain special for those of you who have chosen to be on this list. Thank you for letting us be a small part of your December.
Here is to a beautiful December filled with good company and good cheer. Sláinte.
YULETIDE DAY 1: THE RETURN OF A VISITOR
The first spark of Christmas arrived early this year, and in the most unexpected way.
December slipped quietly into Snoqualmie, but we should have known something was stirring when the marshmallow inventory did not quite add up.
Last night, Adrian and I had an impromptu visit from Santa, which is why Day 1 is arriving a day late. Very sorry for that! We sat with him, received a little advice about our December plans, and shared a few early smiles over a cup of hot cocoa. I set out a small display of treats to make our cocoa a little “extra,” because of course I can’t help myself.
Mid-conversation, I glanced over at one of the dishes full of marshmallows and couldn’t believe my eyes. A tiny figure sat half hidden among them, dusted in powdered sugar from head to toe and clutching a slightly bite-marked snowman. The moment he saw us, he froze. Then, very slowly, he smiled.
Tiny Tadhg has returned to Saints & Scholars!
He tried, for about three seconds, to pretend he had simply slipped into the bowl and was as surprised as we were. Santa cleared his throat in that way adults do when they know the truth and are giving the child time to confess. And sure enough, after a bit of fidgeting, the truth came out.
Tiny Tadhg had wedged himself into a pocket of Santa’s coat, and Santa didn’t notice until they were nearly over the Cascades. By then, there was no turning back. When Santa asked what he was doing there, Tiny Tadhg simply said, “I miss Snoqualmie!” He added that he missed our cozy little pub, the kind people, and the feeling of being part of something special.
It was difficult for Santa to argue with that.
So, what has Tiny Tadhg been up to this past year?
He returned home for a short time to the Fairy Glens of Connemara. He caught up on some reading, wandered the green hills, and told friends all about his time in Snoqualmie. As the year went on and the North Pole grew busy again, he rejoined Santa and quickly discovered a passion: reading the letters to Santa.
He spent hours immersed in notes from children all over the world. Some were neat and careful, some were wild and glittery, some smudged with cocoa or tears. Each one felt like a window into their heart. He became fascinated with how little ones write to someone they cannot see, and how a simple page can carry so much hope.
He adored the drawings too: crooked stars, lopsided trees, reindeer that looked like enthusiastic potatoes, stick-figure families, and snow in every color of the rainbow.
Then came the Naughty or Nice list.
In theory, he was supposed to assist. In reality, he nearly turned it into a catastrophe for Santa’s route planning. He sorted it alphabetically, then by date, then tried arranging it by who used the most glitter in their letters, creating a mess. He added footnotes, symbols, and a questionable legend in the margin. Santa could not decode any of it. By the end, Santa needed a strong cup of cheer, and Tadhg was encouraged to take a break. So he visited Santa’s library instead, reading about holiday traditions from around the world and lingering over Irish manuscripts, poems, and old stories.
This year, Tiny Tadhg is a little older, a little bolder, a sprinkle more adventurous, and still absolutely untrustworthy around marshmallow supplies. His love for writing and art has only grown, and he is determined to weave both through our season, beginning with the return of the Monday riddles. He insists riddles keep the mind sharp and the heart curious. He has also promised to be helpful this month, though what counts as “helpful,” in his mind, remains to be seen.
We are excited.
We are on guard.
We are certain he will make the season unforgettable.
Welcome home, Tiny Tadhg.
Let the holiday fun begin!
After shaking the powdered sugar out of his hair, Tiny Tadhg wasted no time. He settled in and began writing. Today’s riddle, he says, comes from a meaningful place he visited after leaving us last December.
Here is his first riddle of the season:
Raised as a gift in a valley serene,
Reflected in waters with a glasslike sheen,
With a chapel of mourning carved modest and bright,
And gardens enclosed for Victorian delight.
Later kept safe by women in black,
Who guarded its peace and kept tradition intact,
What western estate with a heart full of grace
Holds love, loss, and history in one quiet place?
Know the answer? Simply reply fill out the form below! Due to the delay in receiving this reveal, you have until Thursday night to answer, and the winner of a $25 gift card to Saints & Scholars will be announced in Friday’s reveal!
Also, Tadhg will be having some fun throughout the pub and in a new location each day! Should a child spot him, he has brought along a supply of treats to gift the curious little ones.
Before we left the pub for the night, Tadhg left us one more playful rhyme:
“For now, I peek, but soon I’ll play,
With tricks and rhymes to light the way.
Seek me out and join the fun,
The Holiday magic has begun!”
Here is what is on this week!
Tonight 12/2 | 4–10 PM | Taco Tuesday: $4 Tacos, $10 Tequila Special, $5 Chip & Salsa
Wednesday 12/3 | 6-9pm | Ladies’ Night! Holiday Themed $8 martinis and live music from Jarrett Renshaw
Friday 12/5 | 2-10pm | Flights & Bites Night Enjoy a curated Irish whiskey flight paired with little bites to enhance the tasting
*If you enjoy Irish Whiskey, be sure to check out our upgraded 12 Irish Whiskeys of Christmas with our Irish Whiskey Progressive Bingo! You can earn perks and win prizes: www.saintsandscholars.com/12whiskeys
Saturday 12/6 | 4-7pm | Hot Cocoa Cart Arrives! Then, enjoy this little treat every Sunday until Christmas (Dec. 7, 14, 21), and Christmas Eve Brunch. We will also have live music from 7-10pm.
Don’t Miss Our Annual Christmas Eve Brunch!
Speaking of Christmas Eve, our Annual Christmas Eve Brunch is the perfect way to gather with family and friends before the big day. Featuring a special menu of Irish classics, holiday-inspired dishes, favorites from our regular menu, and our Hot Cocoa Cart running all morning, this festive feast will be one to remember.
The Christmas Eve Brunch menu will be announced soon, but reservations are now open! Seats fill up fast, so don’t wait to secure your spot.
📅 Date: Tuesday, December 24th
🕘 Time: 9 AM–3 PM (last reservation at 2:30 PM)
📍 Reserve: Saints & Scholars Reservations
📧 Or email us: cheers@saintsandscholars.com
Celebrate the season with us at Saints & Scholars! From the heartwarming return of our Hot Cocoa Cart to the delicious flavors of Christmas Eve Brunch, there’s no better place to gather and enjoy the holidays.
