Christmas Story Challenge 2019

[Daisy]

Well done, Gem. I'm sure inspiration will strike.

[Plantaholic]

Can't wait Gemini, looking forward to your story.

[Gemini]

My first story for this years Christmas Challenge -


Mrs Christmas

‘Not this year’ Esme silently vowed.
No last minute rush around the shops, getting totally irritated by the crowds (and not at all in the Christmas spirit) No finding the shops had sold out of the thing she wanted. No scribbling the Christmas cards at the last minute, rushing to catch the last posting date, plus having to put a first class stamp on each envelope as it was too late for second class.
That was the old Esme.
The all new improved Esme bought all her Christmas cards in autumn, and had the whole lot written and in stamped addressed envelopes ready to be posted by December 1^st.
She mostly shopped online, early enough to be sure of getting what she wanted, and probably grabbing a few early bargains along the way. She also shopped in local small independent shops, as soon as the Christmas stock came in.
She had all her gifts beautifully wrapped in ethically produced recycled wrapping paper, by the first week in December.

‘Who am I kidding?’ Esme said aloud. ‘Pure fantasy. I know there are people like that, and I admire them, I really do. It’s not me though’ she sighed.
Esme knew one such person very well.
Her mother, Carol, was Mrs Christmas. Well not the Mrs Christmas, wife of Santa of course, but the next best thing.
She loved all things Christmas. It was her favourite time of year and she excelled at it all. Her Christmas organisational skills were legendary.
Beautifully decorated trees appeared inside and outside the house by mid December, and remained there until 12^th night, not a moment less.
The house sparkled with fairy lights everywhere. It smelled of heavenly scented Christmas candles and pot pourri. It looked like something out of House Beautiful magazine.
Presents were wrapped so exquisitely it seemed sinful to open them.
Everything was perfect, and all done in plenty of time for the big day, which in itself was a work of art.
Christmas dinner was wonderful, even her mum’s Jamie Oliver mulled wine tasted better than any Esme had tasted anywhere. Yes, her mum really was Mrs Christmas.

Despite, or possibly because of, this upbringing, Esme had never quite got on top of the whole Christmas thing. Despite her Mum’s helpful tips about making lists, buying early, writing cards a few each day to make it easier, Esme remained a last minute rush girl.
Her mother never criticised her, just tried to help. Esme thought it must drive her crazy though. Her brother Josh had no festive organisation either, what he did have was a wife. Meg, although no Mrs Christmas, did get things done in time.
‘Maybe I need a wife?!’ Thought Esme. She supposed that like a dog, a wife wasn’t just for Christmas, and she wouldn't need one the rest of the year, so she mentally scrapped that idea.
She had flirted with the idea of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, no hectic Christmas preparations for them. Along with the wife idea, this was abandoned as generally impractical as a long term thing.
Move back in with mum and dad and just hitch a ride on their Christmas every year? Esme knew she would still have to sort out her own Christmas cards and presents even if she did that. Anyway, much as she loved her parents she was unwilling to give up her independence, just to avoid festive preparations.

As there were no children in the family, there was no Santa Please Stop Here sign outside, or fake snow footprints on the stairs on Christmas morning. Observing her sister in law’s face whenever babies or small children were around, Esme suspected it wouldn’t be too long before a baby joined the family.
Although Esme loved kids, she wasn't totally sure she actually wanted any of her own. Anyway, no significant other in her life for some time, and certainly not one she would want to start a family with, made the whole subject a bit of an academic one.

On December 20^th this year Esme had a party to attend. Her best friend was Tamsin. From the day she and her parents moved in next door to Esme’s family, and the girls caught sight of each other, they were as close as could be. When they went to school the following Monday morning, Miss Simms sat Tamsin next to Esme, being aware that the girls had already met. Six years old, and a wonderful friendship was born!

Tamsin had phoned Esme. ‘Es, I have big favour to ask! The girls are having a Christmas party tomorrow. I know, madness, what wasI thinking of? As if there isn't enough to do at this time of year! They are very excited though, so it will be worth it. All the other parents are delighted of course. Lovely child-free time for last minute shopping, or going to the pub! Chris will be here, but mum’s gone down with that awful cold that the kids had last week. I told her to wrap up warm and stay in.
Would you possibly be able come along and be an extra pair of hands? Please?’
Although a kids party may not be top of her list for weekend entertainment, Esme loved Grace and Mia very much.
‘Of course I will, no worries, it will be good to see the girls. It will save me from the hell that is shopping on the Saturday before Christmas anyway!’
‘Phew thanks!’ Tamsin said. ‘Chris will be here, but he’s not much help with groups of kids to be honest! Kids love you’
Esme had loved little Grace, from the moment her friend had placed the tiny baby in her arms six years ago. The same with her little sister Mia, who was now almost four.
She donned her most festive jumper and her flashing Santa earrings, a Christmas stocking present from her mum last year.
Tamsin had texted that morning that she had forgotten to say that Father Christmas was coming to the party. Big Surprise, she added Not A Word to the kids when you get here!

Mia and Grace were thrilled to see their auntie Esme, covering her with kisses before rushing back to join their friends.
Pass The Christmas Parcel and Pin the Star on the Christmas Tree kept them all amused, as did the Christmas bauble shaped piñata, filled with sweets. After that disco dancing to Christmas music was a bit manic, so Esme was glad when it was time for the children to eat!
When they were all settled at the kitchen table enjoying a party tea, with Frosty The Snowman and Jingle Bells playing in the background, Tamsin filled Esme in on the arrangements for the surprise visitor. ‘I have told him to text then wait at the back door, then I will let him in. Your job, with the help of Chris is to make sure no child comes into the kitchen! We will take them all into the living room once they have eaten, and keep this door closed. I have a couple of Christmas cartoons lined up on netflix, so I’m going to suggest a post tea rest and watch those. Then Santa can make his entrance.

Later, Tamsin came into the living room, clapped her hands and asked the children to listen. This was Chris’s cue to switch off the TV. Sleigh-bells were heard from the kitchen, children's eyes shone, some jumped up and down in excitement, and little Mia squealed, as in walked Father Christmas, with his sack.
This was like no Santa Esme had met before. He was slim, despite the padding around his middle, and upright, and his hands were firm and young looking as he handed the gifts to the children. He acted his part well, but it seemed an odd career choice for a man his age!

When Santa had Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas-ed himself out of the room, Tamsin read The Night Before Christmas to the children, as their parents arrived and Chris handed out party bags.
Escorting the scarlet suited gentleman into the kitchen and firmly closing the door behind her Esme put the kettle on.
‘Tea, coffee?’ She asked. ‘Oh I’d love a coffee, white with two sugars, please. I haven't had one since breakfast. Time for a caffeine boost I think’
‘I bet’ replied Esme.
Spooning coffee into the cafetière, she heard him say ‘I’m not the real Father Christmas you know.’
Turning around to see him beardless and removing Santa’s red padded jacket, she grinned. ‘So I see!’
‘No,’ he laughed, ‘I mean I’m not the actual Father Christmas booked to do the party today. That's my dad. He’s a retired teacher. He loves playing the part each Christmas. He gets lots of bookings.’
‘I did think you were a very young Father Christmas!’ Esme exclaimed. ‘Why are you doing it today?’
Taking a coffee mug from Esme, the rather handsome man who’d been hidden behind the Santa beard replied ‘Mum and Dad were invited to their friends Golden Wedding do, in London. Mum who handles Dad’s Santa bookings is usually very organised, but somehow today’s bookings were forgotten about. She was very embarrassed, mortified in fact! Dad couldn't bear to disappoint children by cancelling and of course no way could they miss their friends party’
‘So you came to the rescue?’ finished Esme.
‘I did. There were only two bookings today, none tomorrow and he will be back in the red suit by Monday.
My name’s Luke by the way’ he smiled.

Two mugs of coffee, a mince pie and a plate of assorted party leftovers later, Luke pulled on his black padded jacket and scarf, picked up the Santa paraphernalia and left.
At home that night Esme, smiled to herself as she read the text on her phone.

‘So great to meet you, looking forward to lunch tomorrow. L x’

On the eve of Twelfth Night, snuggled up on the sofa with only the twinkling Christmas tree lights to illuminate the scene, Esme settled further back into Luke’s arms with a contented sigh. She looked up at him, thinking that there was nowhere in the world she would rather be right now.
They had been pretty much inseparable since the children's party. The more time they spent together, the more they wanted to spend.
Esme had the strangest feeling that perhaps in time she was to become another Mrs Christmas after all!

THE END

[Daisy]

Gem - that's wonderful. I totally got caught up in all the plans and details for the children's party - the games, entertainment, everything. A lovely ending that Esme was happy to be a kind of Mrs Christmas after all. xxx

[Plantaholic]

Didn't see that coming Gemini, you romantic you.

[Sunshine]

Lovely story. What a lovely Christmas present for Esmeralda and Luke of course.

[Oma]

Henry sat looking out of the window as big fat snow flakes fell ,
It was Christmas eve and he couldn't remember the last time they had a real white Christmas .

His mind wandered back In time , he couldn't remember how old he was when he first took notice of Christmas but he was very young ,
He remembered playing on the Rug when Mum came through the door with a big green thing that she told him was a Christmas tree ,

It smelt funny all earthy and sweet ,
Mum started to put bright coloured things on it that she said were called baubles ,

Henry was fascinated by them and wanted to touch but Mum said no as they would break , they twinkled in the fire light

When Mum went out of the room Henry just had to have a little push at one , it promptly fell off and shattered on the hard wood floor
Mum came running in and made him move back so she could sweep up the shattered glass and looking at him sternly wagged her finger and told him not to do that again .

For a while when he was playing he gave the tree a wide berth ,
Christmas days were always noisy lots of food presents and people to make a fuss of him , his best memories were late at night when he was sleepy sitting on Mums knee as she stroked his head till he fell asleep .

The years rolled on ,now he was old and the Christmas tree was Artificial the Baubles were plastic and they bounced on the thick wall to wall carpet , but he still loved to see them twinkle in the fire light ,

Henry felt this would be his last Christmas the years had caught up with him , his old bones ached and his health wasn't good but he still had that feeling of joy
Snuggled up in his favourite spot with his nice warm blanket

He still liked to climb on Mums knee and fall asleep , it wasn't a bad life being a loved and spoilt Cat was it
Especially at Christmas ….

[Gemini]

Aww, how lovely Oma. I had no idea Henry was a cat until the last line!

Such a good story

[Daisy]

Oma - what a lovely story. I often wonder how much our pets 'remember' and I think it's quite a lot. I can just imagine Henry snuggling down in the warmth and thinking about Christmases past. I'm so glad he was happy with his memories.