2018 Christmas Story Challenge

[Gemini]

Brilliant!!
How did you think of it Daisy?
I love it. Naughty AngieBelle!!

[Daisy]

Gem, I don't know how you come up with ideas, but sometimes if I'm really trying to find a story line my mind just goes blank. Eventually an idea will just pop into my head other times something triggers an idea.

I think this one was Grannies talking about putting their decorations up. I picture the story in my head and then write it. Although the family(and cat) was different, this one I pictured taking place in the house the family moved into in The Summer Story Challenge which started "Very early one July morning..." It wasn't a conscious decision - I sort of realised part way through that it was the same room the cat had been found in in the earlier story.

[Gemini]

Mine just started with me thinking Eve was a nice name for a girl born on Christmas Eve, then I had to fit a story around it!

[Gemini]

The Treasure Hunt

'But I want to stay in and play on my Nintendo switch!' moaned 10 year old Will, lying on the sofa next to the Christmas tree.
'I would rather stay in too' added his 12 year old sister Rosie. 'I want to paint each finger a different colour with that new nail set, and watch telly.'
'Oh for goodness sake you two', their mum exclaimed, 'you have been indoors either here or at Grandma's for 3 full days. Today we go out!'
'Where are we going?' asked Alfie, smiling. At least one of their children seemed keen to leave the sofa, Fiona thought.
At 6, Alfie was still happy and keen to be out and about with his family. Fiona made a mental note to make the most of this stage with her last child!

When they had Bess the dog it was a bit easier to get everyone to go out, they all seemed to enjoy woodland and beach walks with Bess to play with.
After a good happy life they had lost Bess during the summer, aged 13.
She was much missed, but not having to take her out in all weathers or find doggy care when they went on holiday were the plus points of a dog free life.

'What we are doing' said Chris zipping up his padded jacket as he came through from the hallway ' is going on a treasure hunt!'
'Hooray!' shouted Alfie, 'will we get gold coins? Or chocolate coins?' Fiona suspected either would suit her younger son.
'That's lame!' wailed Will. 'It's too cold' complained Rosie.
'You know where your coats, scarves and gloves live!' said Chris, attempting to jolly the party up. 'Get ready. You have 5 minutes then we leave.'
Alfie was jumping up and down and pulling his stripey hat onto his head, almost covering his eyes.
' Treasure Hunt, Treasure Hunt!' he chanted.
Rolling her eyes at her noisy little brother Rosie put on her black coat,and wound her fluffy pink scarf around her neck. She and Will both knew when they were beaten. Out they would have to go. At least it wasn't raining

From the passenger seat Fiona looked in the mirror at her three children sitting on the back seat. Alfie singing his own a rather tuneless treasure hunt themed song, which he made his toy dog dance to. Will immersed in some game on the screen of his Kindle Fire. Rosie plugged into her ear buds, lost in her music.
A family day out will do us all good, she told herself, mentally crossing her fingers.

As Chris pulled into the parking section of the forest walk area. Will looked up. 'This is where we came with Bess!' he said.
'Yes, she loved it here didn't she?' replied Fiona.
'We all did really' smiled Rosie, before tuning back into her music..
'All devices to be left in the car!' Chris said, 'no exceptions. This is a family walk, where we may actually speak to each other.'
Hands in pockets and heads down the two older children walked ahead. Alfie held his both his parents hands, walking between them. He let go and ran ahead to catch up with his sister. Rosie lost her slightly annoyed and bored look to take Alfie's hand. She loved her little brother very much, noisy and exuberant as he was.
'Where's this treasure then dad?' she asked, trying to get into the mood, for Alfie's sake.
'We have instructions, all printed out' her dad replied, holding out a sheet of red paper with bold black writing..

"Find a tree with an owl nearby" read Rosie aloud.
They all looked as they walked and eventually Alfie shouted 'An owl, an owl! in loud excited tones. Sure enough there next to a large tree was a wooden owl, about a foot high. 'Look underneath him,' said Will 'I think I can see something!'
Rosie lifted the owl and took the square of green paper, unfolded it and read "Look beneath the five barred gate"
'I think I can see it' yelled Alfie running ahead.
Half an hour and 6 sheets of coloured paper with clues on later, Alfie found a gold envelope. Looking over his shoulder as his brother unfolded the sheet of paper inside Will read out " Find the box upon the steps - inside the treasure lies!"

The three children looked eagerly around them.They all spotted a summer house closed for the winter and raced towards it. On the 2nd step leading up to the door they could see a large cardboard box.
'Wow, how much treasure is going to be in there?!' exclaimed Alfie grinning.
'Wait!' Rosie held her eager little brother back with her arm, listening. Carefully she approached the box and gently opened the lid. Her face lit up as she gazed down at a sweet little puppy. A tiny version of Bess.
'Oh!' gasped Will. Alfie for once was silent. Too stunned and happy for words right now, although he would no doubt make up for that later.

Behind the summer house Zoe and Matt, the children's aunt and uncle smiled, their puppy sitting job done.

'Happy Christmas' said Chris 'A late Christmas present for the whole family, and one thing we will all agree on!'
Three happy smiling faces looked up at him, and at their mum, but most of all at the new member of their family in their mum's arms.

'The best treasure hunt EVER!' said Alfie, finding his voice again!

THE END

[Daisy]

Gem - what a lovely, heart-warming story that is. What could be better than a little puppy for a dog-loving family.

Our GDs 'other' cousins have recently got a new puppy, and their ages are much the same as the children in your story, and even one of the names is the same.

[Daisy]

Not long ago, I said I couldn't write a story about a child or an animal with a sad ending, so I set myself the challenge of doing that. Right at the end I couldn't make it totally sad, but .... see what you think.


CHOOSING ESTHER


As always on this day of the month, Esther’s nose was pressed up against the hall window as she watched people driving and walking up to the front door. She was fascinated by the cars - she’d never been in a real one, but the people walking were more interesting as she could have a good look at them, and dream her favourite dream.

The nuns had told her not to call it Choosing Day, but that’s what it was, so that was what she called it to herself. She had on her Sunday best dress, spotlessly clean and pressed, and a pink cardigan to keep the winter chill away. She had made sure her hands and face were clean and her hair brushed till it shone. She practised her smile, the one that said “Please, please choose me. I’m a very good girl and I desperately want a Mum and Dad to call my own.”

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been living in the Orphanage. Both her Mummy and Daddy had been killed in air raids, and she’d lived with her Granny, until Gran became too sick to look after her any more. The parish Priest had said to Granny that he would take the child to an orphanage where the nuns were kind, and the children were well cared for. Esther thought it was the third Christmas she had spent there, with the big, sparkly tree she helped to decorate. She wasn’t unhappy, but she was just …. waiting. Little Patrick joined her and reached up for her hand. He clung on, and leaned his head against her. He’d been at the Orphanage since the summer and he followed Esther everywhere. In turn, she helped him with using his cutlery properly at the table, sang songs to him and played with him. At night she was allowed to tuck him up into his little bed and tell him a story. It was always a story about Mummies and Daddies, and Patrick would say they could share the same Mummy and Daddy. Esther would give him a little hug and say how nice that would be. But she knew Patrick would be chosen very soon.

Most of the children there were younger than Esther, and they seemed to come and go very quickly. A lot of Mummies and Daddies wanted babies and small children, but at 8, nearly 9, Esther was at that gangly, slightly awkward stage and the Mummies and Daddies seemed not to see her. Why, she thought, couldn’t they see that she was a really good girl and just wanted a Mummy and Daddy to love. She didn’t mind how many children she had to share her Mummy and Daddy with, but she needed someone to call her own.

By now the first Mummies and Daddies were coming through the front door, being greeted by Sister Michael and Sister Mary Joseph. All these Mummies and Daddies looked beautiful to Esther. They had nice clothes and the ladies wore little hats and shoes with thin spindly heels. She wondered what it would be like to wear shoes like that.

Already Mother Superior was talking to one couple. They pointed to Patrick, but his little chin wobbled as he came under scrutiny, and his face crumpled as he burst into tears. Esther’s soft heart forgot its own sadness as she gathered the distressed little boy into her arms. Gulping down his tears, he flung his arms round Esther’s neck and snuggled into her shoulder, hiding from the grown-ups.

“Patrick, don’t cry”, she murmured to him. “They won’t choose you if they think you’re a cry baby, and you’re not one of those anyway.” She hugged him, and his trembling body started to relax. “Ethter”, he lisped, “don’t let them take me away from you.” But the moment was over. The couple had moved on to another child, and Esther knew that they would both still be there, waiting, when the next Choosing Day came round. She hugged the little boy and whispered “Let’s go and play on the rocking horse, we can pretend we’re going on an adventure to find new Mummies and Daddies together.”

[Gemini]

Another really good story Daisy.

I hope someone comes along and chooses Esther and Patrick!!

[Plantaholic]

Lovely Daisy, reminds me of Philomena.

[Daisy]

Thank you both. Plant - I had to Google Philomena, but what a heartbreaking story, all the sadder for being true. I know there are hundreds, if not thousands of terrible stories about children being forcibly adopted, sold or transported overseas - always 'for their own benefit'. I tried to make the nuns in my story fairly neutral, because I find the subject so hearbreaking.

What triggered this story was an incident from my childhood and, for those who saw 'Call the Midwife' at Christmas, the scene in the orphanage where prospective parents are coming to visit the Chinese children and there was another little girl, looking very sad and thoughtful who tugged at my heart strings. She is my 'Esther'!

[Gemini]

Esther reminded me of that little girl Daisy, and that is who I pictured when I read your story.

[Plantaholic]

Philomena was on again over the Christmas holiday. wonderful film.

[Daisy]

Esther reminded me of that little girl Daisy, and that is who I pictured when I read your story.

Gem - I really felt CTM should have written her into the story somehow, so perhaps I've done it for them. She reminded me of someone from long, long ago.

[Gemini]

Twelfth Night

It was a mild Twelfth Night this year.
Marion was quite warm by the time she had put away the last bauble from the tree and removed the Christmas cards and the rest of the decorations from around the house. Derek had taken down the outside lights and was laying them out to ensure they were dry before they too were packed away.
'That's that for another year' he remarked putting his head through the living room door 'The outside lights are done. I will put everything back in the loft later, if you pass them up to me' .'That's my job!' smiled Marion. She would much prefer one the their sons in law to be going up the loft ladder now that Derek was in his seventies, but he had other ideas!

As was the case every year, she noticed that several friends and neighbours took their decorations down before Twelfth Night. Each day from the 27th onwards, less trees sparkled from windows, less outdoor lights brightened the winter nights. Although she could sort of see the attraction of getting back to normal, she felt it was sad to see these winter-brightening delights disappearing. She was a bit of a traditionalist anyway, so to her Twelfth Night was when Christmas was 'put away'.
All four of her daughters, different as they were to each other, all followed the Twelfth Night decorations down pattern. Marion thought 'At least I have done something they all thought was a good idea!'

Putting the pile of Christmas cards down on the coffee table, Marion made mental note to look through them later. In a separate, smaller pile were the family cards. Precious ones made by the younger grandchildren, and one from each daughter.

Marion had four daughters. Very different to each other, but like them all sticking to the Twelfth Night tradition, with underlying similarities.

Clare was the eldest (how she had hated her name during her late childhood and teenage years!
'It is so plain and boring', she had complained, 'It's so unfair. Lydia has such pretty and interesting name, why did you pick Clare for me?!')

Strangely life seemed to mirror Clare's opinion of hers and her sister's names.
Clare got a steady job after uni, married Robert, a good dependable man 3 years her senior. They married, little Simon arrived 18 months later, followed by his sister Anna 2 years and 2 months after that. They moved from their tidy little 2 bed terraced house to a larger 3 bed semi with garden once their second child arrived, and there they would probably stay for the rest of their lives.
Clare was happy with her life,and now she was a grown woman even liked her name, finding it simple and classic rather than plain and boring.

Second daughter Lydia's life had taken a very different path. Married twice, several love affairs with both men and women. She had lived in various places, in houses, flats and even on a houseboat for 6 months with one partner.
She had tried her hand at various jobs, some more successful than others. Her current situation of freelance graphic design plus 2 days a week working in the quirky little wholefood cafe around the corner from her flat seemed to suit her well.
Lydia had no children and this was a sadness to her. She would have loved to be a mother, but nature decreed otherwise. She was a fun and loving aunt to her nieces and nephews, and was grateful for their presence in her life.

This Christmas the couple had seen all their daughters. This was unusual. Lydia was rarely around at Christmas, preferring to jet off somewhere hot. This year she was single, and decided to have a stay at home Christmas for a change.
Not only did they see them all, they spent Christmas Day with all four, and all the grandchildren. Marion couldn't actually remember the last time that had happened.

Looking at the family cards, Marion's mind wandered to the time spent with each daughter this Christmas.

On Christmas Eve they had been invited to Clare and Robert's house, along with Robert's parents, Jack and Sylvia. Their tree was decorated in silver and gold with tiny white lights. Tasteful silver and gold decorations were dotted around the house, a silver and gold wreath on the front door. Marks and Spencer had catered the small buffet, and a very nice chilled Sauvingon Blanc was served, with a non alcoholic version for the drivers. Anna and Simon, home from their respective universities for the holidays were out with their friends so it was a quiet, but pleasant evening.

Christmas Day was spent at the home of their youngest daughter Pippa.
Life at Pippa and Mark's rambling Edwardian terraced house was always busy and hectic, and a family Christmas Day even more so!
Lucy, at 15, tall and slim, all long hair, perfume and fluffy jumper greeted her grandparents at the door. 'Happy Christmas!' she said hugging them both.
'Granny, Granddad!' came the cries from across the house and Marion and Derek were almost knocked over by three little figures. 8 year old Adam, his twin sister Emily, closely followed by 5 year old Josh, all tried to hug their grandparents. Josh was waving a large toy dinosaur under his grandfathers nose.
'Hi Mum, Dad!' called Pippa from the kitchen, wearing a reindeer covered apron and rubber gloves 'Come in, move the little monsters out of the way!'
Seventeen for lunch - turkey with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pud, ice cream for the children, and as much chocolate as they could eat. Laughter, chaos, a big tree with multi coloured lights and decorations of all sorts, many made by the children. Home made steamers hung everywhere. A total contrast to Clare's house last night.
Marion suspected neither sister would want to live in the other's home!

On Boxing Day it was Caroline's home they were invited to.
Caroline, Rick and 16 year old Becky lived in a 5 bedroom Executive Home. Quite why they needed so many rooms with only one daughter and 2 Persian cats Marion wasn't sure, but kept her council of course. Caroline was a busy career woman , rarely inviting any of her family round, so this Boxing Day invitation was real pleasure.
They ate Salmon en croute with new potatoes, asparagus, roasted cherry tomatoes and green beans. Homemade mixed berry Pavlova for pudding. Caroline was a good cook, it was her way of relaxing away from work. After the meal they played Trivial Pursuit and Cluedo, Becky seeming to enjoy these retro games. That or she was humouring the Oldies!

On the 27th Marion went to visit Lydia. Derek was playing in a golf competition. 'Come over Mum, and we'll have a girls afternoon' suggested Lydia.
A large star made of tiny white lights hung in the front window. Inside the flat many candles, a modern twig tree with lights and a few minimalist baubles were the sole decorations, along with the Christmas cards. 'Less to take down on Twelfth Night' Lydia joked.
Mother and daughter sat companionably side by side on Lydia's large comfortable sofa. They ate chicken curry from trays on their knees, followed by mince pies. Between them lay a box of Quality Street, which they enjoyed whilst watching The Wizard of Oz, yet again.

'Who knows what the next year will bring?' mused Marion putting the lid on the box of baubles. 'If it brings all my family together again next Christmas, I will be a happy woman!' was her conclusion.

[Daisy]

Gem - what a lovely snapshot of family life at Christmas. I'm sure we can all identify with various members of Marion's family, and our own are variations of the 4 very different styles.

I really enjoyed reading it - thank you.

[Plantaholic]

You are a great story teller Gemini, another lovely story.