’Twas a Few Nights Before Christmas

Hanging upon plastic pine needles, sugar plum fairies that were actually mice dressed in clothes. 4.30pm. Frost began to form upon the window, the darkness drew ever closer on this frozen winter night.

In the dark, without a lamp on, the star on top of the artificial tree, glistened. For a moment, Mabel watched her tree decorations sparkle, but then she had to switch on the lamp by her feet, to enable her to see. Even in the light, the Christmas tree shone. It filled the room with joy and magic, the star of the show.

It was counting down until the big day; however, Mabel had her own celebrations to look forward too. In less than twelve hours it was her birthday. She was a Christmas baby, born a few days before Christmas Day itself. Eighty-one years she had celebrated. Every year more magical than the last. The older she grew, the more people she met, who she could share her birthday with.

5pm. A frosty knock upon her front door. Putting on her fluffy slippers and furry dressing gown she made her way to answer it. Through the keyhole, she could see the picture of her family, standing huddled together, their large hoods covering their faces. Unlocking the door, Mabel let the cold into the house. She was met by a frozen rush of fresh air and many freezing bodies wanting to come inside.

“Come in, Come in, you’ll catch your death!” She hurried her family along the threshold, before slamming the door shut.

“Oh Mum! How are you doing? It’s icy out there!” Her son Nathan hugged her tightly, before walking into the living room. “Happy Birthday by the way.”

“Not yet, only in a few more hours!” She reminded him.

He waited for her to catch up and kissed her upon the cheek. His cold lips upon her skin made her shiver.

“You really are cold!” Mabel blurted out. “And how is my favourite son in law and grandchildren?”

Mabel had two grandchildren, young and youthful now, always full of energy. It was always a joy to see them, but sometimes her age got the better of her. Each child, Lucy, and Daniel, smiled eagerly, ripping layers of clothing off their bodies, before making themselves warm in front of the coal fire Mabel had had since she bought the house before everything got so expensive.

The children roasted their fingers on the flames, their chilly faces turning a rosy, pink glow. Nathan was thankful too. His hands almost looked blue he was so cold. Rupert had been part of her family for so long now, Mabel thought of him as her own son. She hugged him too, then let her family roast their bones before anything else.

The children, who had only now seen the tree in the corner of the room, smiled with glossy eyes, spotting tiny chocolates coated in colourful wrappers hanging from the branches.

“Please!” They both begged.

Mabel wasn’t bothered, she relished her grandchildren having fun, eating throughout the Christmas period, however she knew from being Nathan’s mother, manners came first. As a grandmother, these sorts of things can go out the window.

“Now, now, It’s Grandma’s birthday. It’s her time.” Nathan told them.

Their disgruntled faces could only mean one thing, but their fathers were right. Ever since she was a child, Mabel’s birthday was special and never overtaken by the holidays. Everyone had their moment; this was her day. Nathan, who had been minding a large parcel by his feet handed it to his mother.

“Here’s my gift, I have a feeling you’ll enjoy it.”

This made Mabel suspicious. She liked the act of opening presents, but she had never been good at surprises, even as a little girl, her son knew she always had to have a plan, and yet every year he would surprise her with something new. Now however, it was something good.

Although her nails were worn, she dug them into the paper and ripped it away. Her grandchildren peered over the edge, delighted by the mystery.

Peeling back the layers from the back of this object, it looked like a plain old cardboard box, however once Mabel flipped it over, everything revealed itself.

Mabel was flooded with emotion. She couldn’t help the tears falling and she felt silly for crying. On her lap, was a decorated light box, that worked as a frame that shone, on the picture Nathan had slipped inside. Mabel had lost her husband a few years ago. It wasn’t sudden, she knew it had to happen eventually, but to see him decline was difficult for everyone. The man she fell in love with had disappeared, but the memories remained.

It was a picture of them both on holiday, at the beach resort they would travel to every year back in the 1960’s, before Nathan was born. She looked so young with her pushed back hair, styled into a beehive, her exaggerated makeup and short skirt, linking arms with her husband Alan, who looked more handsome than she remembered.

She stared at the picture with fondness. She remembered having her photograph taken that day, by passing tourists. How happy they both were. Mabel, however, was grateful for her life now, this gift just brought back the memories of her youth.

“You chose well.” She told her son, holding the light box in her hands, while running her fingers across the picture.

“Well, I thought, it’s nice to look upon that holiday with Dad.” Nathan smiled, but he was solemn.

Rupert scooted up next to him on the sofa, while Nathan rested his head upon his chest.

“I know it’s been hard mum.” Nathan said staring at the roaring flames.

It was difficult not to think about what happened. This would be the third Christmas without him, and yet Mabel didn’t want to bring the mood down. She understood her husband had led a full life, and hoped when she went, they would think the same.

Daniel and Lucy’s glossy eyes were a sign that they needed their chocolate fix. It was hard to say no to such cheeky, rosy faced children. That’s what she wanted her birthday to be filled with nowadays, childlike fun.

In her fluffy slippers, she bent over and pulled two chocolates, tied with red ribbon, off the plastic tree, handing them over to her grandchildren, who in turn thanked her and ate them in one bite. Their chocolate covered teeth and tongue was enough to let Mabel know how much they enjoyed it.

“Do you want to hand your grandma her presents from you both?” Rupert said, passing two little gift bags tied with green and red bows, over to them to give to Mabel. Nathan gently took the light box frame from his mother’s lap, while kissing her on the forehead and placing it on the fireplace just under her ornate mirror and stockings, hanging over the fireplace. The frame gleamed in place, shining over the room with their young smiling faces. Nathan couldn’t help but take a few moments to look upon them, before taking his seat once again with Rupert.

Perfectly wrapped, with obvious help from their dads, were freshly baked cookies, with red and green sprinkles, sat in a pile. The smell of freshly baked goods filled the room.

“They made them all by themselves.” Nathan winked.

“With a little help from their dads...” Rupert added.

Mabel was transported back to a time when she was a little girl, baking with her mother in the kitchen for hours at a time, rolling pin in hand, pressing down with her tiny hands.

“They’re beautiful.” She said, hugging her grandchildren. They beamed with missing teeth; the tooth fairy had taken during the year.

“I got you something. too” Rupert said, handing over a parcel. “Only something small.”

Nathan shook his head. “Don’t be silly, it’s the thought that counts!”

Mabel nodded. “That it is Rupert.” She carefully unpeeled the paper from a beautifully wrapped present, tied with a bow.

Inside, was a note handwritten that read ‘Merry Christmas’ underneath that, a long, thin candle that oozed the colour red and the smell of homemade gingerbread. One of the scents he knew, always made Mabel remember the winter nights with her son and husband.

Nose against the wax, Mabel took a deep sniff, and was instantly taken to those moments.

“It’s not small at all! In fact, it’s perfect.” She smiled through moist eyes. “Come here, all of you.”

Mabel stood above her special armchair, stretching her arms out for a family hug. “Thank you all, these birthday memories will always be cherished.”

“Of course, and Mum, I always remember never to discount a birthday in December.”

The family spent the next few hours in warmth and laughter. As the icy winds outside howled, the snow falling thick and fast. They ate and shared their memories with each other.