Greetings Galoots!!!  Welcome back to the annual festivities.  Official opt in for this year's event will open on October 15th and close on November 30th.  Until then .....Photos from many years past are available for viewing in the photo gallery ..... get inspired!!

It would just be a shame not to preserve this beauty penned by Bryan Lloyd .. methinks it fitting we give it a permanent home here at galootaclaus.com....

"A Galoot Christmas"

By Bryan Lloyd



'Twas the night before Christmas, and down in my shop,
Not a tool was at work, not even a strop;
'The clamps were all hung by the workbench with care,
In hopes that new tools soon would be there.

The GITS were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of infills danced in their heads;
And I by the fire, with a mug of eggnog,
Settled in with the latest Lee Valley catalog.

From down in the basement I heard a loud BUMP!
The furnace again?  Or just the sump pump?
I trudged down the steps, and flipped on the light,
I found nothing wrong, try as I might.

From the corner of my eye, I spy a dim glow,
And what looks like ribbon, in the form of a bow!
I ran to my shop and what do I see?
Old tools on my bench!  How could all this be?

I stood there a moment, not believing my eyes,
Cast steel and rosewood, what a terrific surprise!
Handsaws by the dozen; some skewback, some not,
The guys on the Porch won't believe what I've got!

An old Norris smoother, and a few Lufkin rules,
Whoever did this, he sure knows his tools!
I ran to the stairs, barely able to stand,
I'll give him a hug, at least shake his hand.

I grabbed my wool coat, and stumbled outside,
I'd sure like to meet him, maybe check out his ride;
And what does appear by the new light of day?
Eight tiny reindeer, and a hand-dovetailed sleigh.

The sleigh is filled high with chisels and planes,
I cannot believe all the tools it contains;
Spoke shaves, drawknives, and a vintage post drill,
Stacks of quarter-sawn oak, freshly cut from the mill.

A Sweetheart No. 5, and a mint 10 1/2,
"Where does he put it all?" I said with a laugh;
Just then he appeared, stooped over some saws,
I knew instantly it must be Santa Claus.

His face was aglow, overflowing with joy
I must admit, he resembled St. Roy!
Scratching his chin, he checked over his list;
I laughed when I saw him; I couldn't resist.

And then I noticed, as he packed up his loot,
What appeared to be shavings on the cuffs of his suit;
He gave me a wink as he noticed my gaze,
"I'm a Galoot too; I love the old ways!"

More tools to deliver, more stops he must make,
It's almost morning, for goodness sake!
And before I could ask him if this all was a dream;
He hopped in his sleigh and called out to his team:

"Now Starrett, now Stanley, now Pexto and Disston!
On Record, on Preston, on Veritas and Lie-Nielson!
Gather all of your courage, muster all of your might;
More work to be done, we must now take flight!"

With a rush he flew off, to resume his campaign,
Cutting through the night air, as smooth as a plane;
Far off in the distance, his voice I could hear,
"Merry Christmas to you, I will see you next year!"