“Thank you!” McKaylee said, waving frantically.

The mail lady said, “You’re welcome!”

“Yea! Christmas is here!” McKaylee said.

“Kissmus?” said Elijah.

The kids approached the boxes to bring them in the house. Mom has McKaylee hold the door and Elijah help her with each box, one at a time.

“Mommy, when can we open the presents?” said McKaylee.

“On Christmas morning. We can open the boxes now, and look to see if there is anything we can have today.”

The boxes contained wrapped presents for everyone, along with gift certificates and long distance calling cards. Also enclosed were Uncle Charlie’s famous peanut brittle, some store bought candies, and treats for Mom and Dad. Grandma had made some Christmas ornaments for each child and adult. Packed between the presents were coloring crayons, markers, coloring books, and books. Also enclosed were a Christmas card and letter, and a self-addressed envelope for the kids to send their pictures to the grandparents. There were things they could have then after all.

“I’m making a picture for you, Mommy!” Elijah said, as he gathered a coloring book and crayons and headed to the table.

McKaylee decided to look at the box contents more carefully. Mom gave her a tiny sliver of peanut brittle and asked her to bring her brother a piece. Then McKaylee came back and asked questions about the Christmas ornaments and other contents.

“When will we get a Christmas tree, Mommy?”

“I have to talk to Daddy, but I am sure it will be soon. We still have some time before Christmas. First, while Daddy is at work, you and I and your brother will go out shopping to get all your grandparents gifts. What would you like to give them?”

Excitement crossed McKaylee’s face, and then she thoughtfully considered the question. Elijah joined them at the box. McKaylee asked him, “What should we give Grandma and Grandpa, and Kentucky Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas presents?”

Elijah said, “I can give Grandpa a car.”

Mommy said, “Elijah, Grandpa loves to play with your cars when he visits you, but he would probably like something more his age. Like slippers, a nice set of gloves or a warm hat. He may like a mug with pretty candies. Both of your grandmas love candles and picture frames. We can make a list of what we would like to get them, and budget how much we can spend from the Christmas jar.”

Mom had been holding money back for Christmas spending in a jar, which included pennies the kids had contributed. After more discussion, list making, money counting and budgeting, the box contents were put away. The next day, they made the trip to the shopping centers and bought the gifts and wrapping paper. Mom saved the wrapping for the next day, when she felt she would be more patient with the kids who would no doubt offer their help.

Mom wrapped the presents and asked the kids to decorate some nametags. The kids also diligently colored pictures for each grandparent, which turned out to be quite a bit of coloring. Mom got down to the bone on one roll of wrapping paper, and noticing how cute Elijah was, tapped his head gently with the tubing. He eventually took the tubing and went to tap McKaylee. Mom said, “Let me see that tubing.” She cut it in half and gave each child a sword. They enjoyed a competitive bout. Then, McKaylee suggested they color their swords and give them to Grandma and Grandpa, and Kentucky Grandma and Grandpa.

Elijah said, “Yea!” and they headed to the table.

Mom thought that was a great idea. Mom was almost finished with the other roll of wrapping paper, and took what was left off and neatly folded the paper for later. She cut it in two and gave it to the kids to be colored. Then she cut out some cardboard from the box from Kentucky and designed a coat of arms for each set of grandparents. She made a banner for each that said, “Swords of Christmas.” Mom and the kids assembled the coats of arms and the merrily colored swords. They boxed and wrapped each gift. The kids were satisfied that they had made their grandparents a marvelous surprise.

Christmas came. McKaylee and Elijah made the trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s that day. They opened their gifts from the grandparents and they were thrilled with their new toys and outfits. Then, Grandpa and Grandma opened the coat of arms.

“What’s this?” Grandpa said.

“It’s the Swords of Christmas, Grandpa.” McKaylee said.

“Well, I see.” Then, slight tears stung Grandpa’s eyes as he started to laugh, just like Santa Claus. “Grandma’s not going to get me with these, is she?”

Elijah eyed Grandma for an answer, and Grandma scoffed. Yet, she was equally delighted with the gift. When they settled down, she propped it on a plate holder she had and set it in the middle of the table, moving her store bought centerpiece to another location on the kitchen counter.

Meanwhile, in Kentucky, Grandma and Grandpa were opening their gifts. They opened the Swords of Christmas, and were touched. It was a beautiful Christmas ornament, that they knew they could use every year. Grandma got a marker and wrote “From Elijah and McKaylee, Christmas 2004” inconspicuously on the back and attached a recent picture of the kids to the corner on the front. Grandpa placed it on the mantle and arranged it in the center. Later, they enjoyed their Christmas phone call to the Ozarks, and told the kids how much they loved their gifts, especially the Swords of Christmas.

Each set of grandparents knew that for the following years, they would bring out their Swords of Christmas repeatedly. This gift would uniquely mark the passing of time; the growing years of their precious grand kids.

Merry Christmas!

©2004-2008 by Jane Kelley. All rights reserved .

Also read A White Castle Christmas.

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