Summary: The first Christmas with Inger brings some unexpected challenges to five-year-old Adam helping him learn the most important part of the Christmas season.
Rating:  G  Words 1,620
Written for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 20 *

True Meaning of Christmas

Pa had sent me to bed hours ago, but I couldn’t get my body to sleep tonight. It was only a few weeks away from Christmas and with Inger joining the family this year, this was going to be the first one that actually felt ‘normal’.

I slowly crept out of my room and down the hall. Mama (it still felt weird to say that) was in the kitchen making yet another batch of cookies. It seemed like she has made a new batch every night since Thanksgiving. I slowed my steps and peered into the room Pa and Mama shared. Pa was sitting at the little desk near the corner of the room with his back to me. I saw him hold up a little burgundy box whose contents glittered in the dull light of the lamp. He gently fingered the jeweled pendant on the end of the silver chain before closing the box and tying it with a matching burgundy bow.

I moved just in time to avoid Pa seeing me standing at the doorway. As I settled back into my bed, I couldn’t help but think of the wonderful present Pa got for Mama. I hadn’t even gotten her anything yet. I didn’t have much more than a few cents to my name which wouldn’t buy much from the general store. Maybe I could ask Pa for a few dollars so I could buy her something just as nice? Nah… that won’t work as it wouldn’t actually be a present from me then. Despite the non-stop thoughts swirling in my brain, I gave into the sleep which tugged at my eyes. I’ll worry about this again tomorrow.

*****

The next day, thoughts and ideas continued to plague my mind. Every minute that ticked by was one minute closer to Christmas. I needed to come up with a gift quickly before time ran out. I tried to remain focused on the chores Pa gave me, but once or twice I saw him giving me one of his disapproving looks.

It wasn’t until bedtime, and he was tucking me in, that he mentioned anything to me, though.

“You seemed a bit distracted today, son. Do you want to share what’s going on in that little head of yours?”

I struggled with what to say and how much to say. I wanted to figure it out myself, but then again, I was at a loss for how to solve this problem.

“Well…don’t get mad. I saw the gift you got Mama and I haven’t gotten her anything yet. I want to get her something just as special.”

“Adam, you know you aren’t supposed to spy on people, but on account that it’s the holiday season, I’ll overlook it this one time. Now, I can understand your problem. Why don’t you draw her a picture or decorate a cookie just for her?”

“Nuh-uh. Those aren’t special enough.”

“Hmm… You do know you don’t have to give your Mama something at all. She loves you no matter what.” That wasn’t the response I expected or needed to calm my mind. Pa must have seen the frown and disappointment grow on my face because he swiftly continued. “But, if you must get her something, think about what she likes. Sometimes the best gifts are those that come from the heart and aren’t expensive at all. In all honesty, she’ll love anything you give her.”

He kissed me goodnight and left me alone with my thoughts once again. I knew he was right; Mama would love anything I’d get her… or not get her for that matter. I couldn’t not get her anything, though. I’ll count the few coins I had saved up tomorrow and ask Pa to take me to the store to see what I could buy that I know Mama would love.

*****

Main Street was filled with the hustle and bustle of people going about their Christmas preparations. Pa guided me into the general store and into a much quieter and more peaceful atmosphere. He leaned down and told me to take my time browsing, but to call out to him if I needed something. After all, I was a big boy of five now and didn’t need him to hold my hand when shopping for presents anymore!

I made my way over to the perfumes first, but I couldn’t remember a time when Mama ever wore some before. Even though the bottles all sparkled in the light from the window, I quickly concluded this wouldn’t be a good gift if she wouldn’t ever wear it.

My next stop was the jewelry. I didn’t want to get the same thing as Pa, but there were a couple hair pieces that caught my eye. I sighed as I pulled out the 50 cents that I had brought with me. It wouldn’t be nearly enough to buy even the simplest one.

There were fancy hats and scarves to wear for a night out. I didn’t know enough about those types of items to even consider them. Plus, where would she even wear it in this tiny town?

I was just about to admit defeat when I came across the book section. Mama liked to read, but not nearly as much as I liked to hear stories. Buying a book would just be a present for me, not her. However, near the bottom of one of the shelves was a book I thought she might like. It wasn’t exactly a book she’d probably pick up on her own, but perhaps she’d enjoy it if I got it for her. It was a silly idea, but at 40 cents it fit within my budget and I didn’t have any other ideas.

I grabbed the book before I could talk myself out of it and took it to the counter. I wanted it to be a surprise for Pa just as much as it’d be a surprise for Mama. I paid for the item and took my change before finding Pa near the front of the store. He tried to look inside the bag, but I told him he’d have to wait until Mama opened it. He chuckled a little at my statement but agreed to be patient.

*****

Christmas morning finally arrived. It was the one day of the year that Pa didn’t have to wake me up. I scurried down the hall and into the main room where our modest Christmas tree stood. It was nothing extravagant; there weren’t even any ornaments on it. Just a string of popcorn and cranberries that we all helped make the other day topped with a plain gold star. Underneath the tree lay the couple of presents I recognized from me and Pa for Mama in addition to a few others that I hadn’t seen yet.

It wasn’t long before Pa and Mama were up as well. After we had a quick breakfast (Pa insisted on breakfast first and no amount of begging would change his mind), we began digging into our presents. We had agreed to let Mama begin and since I was the youngest, she got to open mine first.

I handed her my badly wrapped brown paper package and then sat down next to Pa. As she began to tenderly open the corners, it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

She pulled the book out of the wrapping and turned it over. On the cover in big letters read “Book of Paper Dolls”. She looked up to Pa, then me, then back to the book. I had expected there to be joy and excitement, not this mix of shock and confusion. She hated my present!

The tears began to cling to my eyes and I couldn’t help but let a few fall silently down my face. It wasn’t until I let out a sob that Mama came rushing over to my side, wrapping an arm around me.

“What is wrong my child? There shouldn’t be any tears on Christmas!”

“You hate my present. I know you’re much too old to play with paper dolls, but I thought you’d like the book since you’re always talking about owning fancy clothes and the latest styles. I figured at least if you couldn’t have the actual dress, you could still look at it and pretend. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you a better gift!”

“Oh dear, I do love the dolls. I was only surprised that my child, one that isn’t even blood-related at that, would go through the trouble and money to buy me such a meaningful gift. You didn’t have to spend so much on me. I would have been happy with just some penny candy or even just your company while I cook. I couldn’t have asked for a better son. Family and the love we share mean more to me than any present ever could. In the end, that’s what Christmas is all about.”

My tears gradually began to dry as she pulled me in for a tight hug. My first ‘real’ Christmas was definitely one I would remember for a long time, not only due to the strong emotions but for the important lesson I learned that year.

For years later, and generations later, the Cartwrights always hung at least one paper ornament or doll on the tree in the Great Room in remembrance of Inger, the true meaning of Christmas, and that emotional holiday way back in 1835.

-The End-

Chosen Character: Adam

Item: doll, bonus points for paper doll

Secondary Character: None

Link to the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 21 – The Treasure by Sibylle