In William Osborn Stoddard's "How Santa Claus Came," the Burnell children worry that a severe Christmas Eve snowstorm will prevent Santa Claus from arriving, a concern their parents secretly share as they couldn't get gifts from the village. However, embodying the spirit of Santa, their Aunt Sally, Uncle Frank, and cousin Mid brave the storm, arriving late by train. They sneak into the house in the early morning hours, unpack a wealth of presents, fill the stockings they find, light fires, and even start making breakfast, turning the children's potential disappointment into a joyful surprise and demonstrating how love and family effort can overcome obstacles to deliver Christmas magic.