#Pickle reindeer ornament

[noisycowboyglitter]

Funny Pickle Reindeer Christmas: Quirky Gifts for the Holiday Season

"Funny Pickle Reindeer Christmas" combines several whimsical elements to create a quirky and humorous holiday concept. This phrase likely refers to a comical Christmas decoration or ornament that merges the traditional pickle ornament tradition with the iconic reindeer of Santa's sleigh team.

Buy now:19.95$

Imagine a green glass pickle ornament sporting reindeer antlers, a red nose reminiscent of Rudolph, and perhaps tiny hooves. This absurd combination takes two separate Christmas traditions and mashes them together for a laugh-inducing result.

The pickle ornament tradition, believed to have German roots (though this is debated), involves hiding a pickle-shaped ornament on the Christmas tree. The first child to find it on Christmas morning receives an extra gift or good fortune for the year. Reindeer, on the other hand, are firmly established in Christmas lore as Santa's magical flying helpers.

This funny mashup might feature googly eyes, a goofy grin, or even a tiny Santa hat perched between its antlers. It could be part of a larger set of unconventional Christmas decorations designed to inject humor into holiday decor.

Buy now

The "Funny Pickle Reindeer Christmas" concept appeals to those who enjoy subverting traditional holiday themes with a dash of absurdity. It's the kind of decoration that becomes a conversation piece, eliciting chuckles from guests and adding a touch of levity to the festive season.

Christmas gift ideas for girlfriends blend thoughtfulness, romance, and practicality to show appreciation and love during the holiday season. Consider her interests, hobbies, and personal style when selecting the perfect present.

For the fashion-conscious girlfriend, trendy accessories like a designer scarf, elegant jewelry, or a luxury handbag could be ideal. Tech-savvy partners might appreciate smart home devices, the latest smartphone, or noise-canceling headphones.

Buy now

Personalized gifts add a special touch, such as custom photo albums, engraved jewelry, or monogrammed items. For the beauty enthusiast, a high-end skincare set or premium makeup palette could be a hit.

Experience gifts create lasting memories: concert tickets, spa days, cooking classes, or weekend getaways. Bookworms might enjoy a first edition of their favorite novel or an e-reader loaded with new titles.

Cozy gifts like plush robes, premium bedding, or gourmet hot chocolate sets are perfect for winter. For creative types, consider art supplies, a pottery class, or a high-quality camera.

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Remember, the most appreciated gifts often combine practicality with a personal touch, showing you've put thought into understanding her wishes and needs.

[yes-i-am-happyaspie]

It's that time of year again! Here's my 2022 Irondad and Spiderson Holiday Fic Rec List. There are some new fics, some tried and true fics, and some shameless self-promotion! (In order newest to oldest)

🎄 Of Fruit Mince Tarts and Marshmallows by TheJBomb

No Archive Warnings Apply || Not Rated || Posted Dec. 7 2022

One second Peter’s wallowing on his couch and the next Tony is driving him back to the tower for hot chocolate and Christmas movies.

🎄 Candy Cane; Pain or Joy  by inkinmyheartandonthepage @inkinmyheartandonthepage

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Aug. 19 2022

Tony wants this to be the best Christmas party for Peter and bans peppermint from the tower forgetting that Peter isn't allergic.

[this fis is part of the We Forgot Peter series]

🎄 A Christmas Story by Captain_Panda

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated T || Posted Dec. 25 2021

As the lead conductor on the Polar Express, Tony Stark does not need a run-in with a caribou herd on Christmas Eve.

But he does get a Steve out of it.

🎄 The Hottest Toy of the Season by niniblack @niniblack

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated T || Posted Dec. 25 2021

“You got that Iron Man toy, right?” May asks, the night before Christmas Eve.

“Oh,” Ben says. “The action figure. Right. I, um…”

“You did not forget to buy that,” she says, voice firm. “That is the only thing Peter has talked about all month. He is obsessed with that damn flying tin can.”

“I got it,” Ben says. “Of course I got it.” He smiles at her, nodding. “C’mon May, would I forget that?”He totally forgot that.

- - -

A Jingle All the Way AU with the Parkers, circa 2009. Merry Christmas!

🎄 50 Christmas Ornaments My True Love Gave To Me by joyful_soul_collector @joyful-soul-collector

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec 24 2020

It was Christmastime in the Stark-Rhodes-Potts’ household, with Tony, Rhodey, Pepper, Peter, and Morgan all sitting at the table. Jingle Bells was playing quietly in the background, and each one of them was working on decorating a clear plastic christmas bauble, a growing pile of colorful ornaments in the center of the table.

OR

The Iron Family gets carried away making Christmas ornaments, and Peter talks to his dad about asexuality

[This fic is part of the Irondad Oneshots Series]

🎄 Peter Parker's Pickle Predicament  by dontmockmyawkwardness @dontmockmyawkwardness

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec. 19 2020

Peter Parker takes it upon himself to bring Christmas cheer to New York City this year. It's all fun and games until he finds himself in a sticky situation in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza. Can an old man in a red suit fly in and help save Christmas?

🎄 new york's santa by hailfire_73 @hailfire-73

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec. 15 2019

“Are you Santa?”

Tony rolled his eyes. “You really think I have the time to be a glorified cosplayer?”

“I didn’t even think you knew what a cosplayer was…” said Peter, trailing off. He shook his head, refusing to let his mind wander from the topic. “Where do you keep the reindeer? Can I meet them?”

OR

New York City has it's own Santa, and Peter discovers it's Tony Stark, because of course it is.

irondad bingo: holiday

[This fic is part of the irondad bingo series]

🎄 A Tony Stark Carol by Insanus Navicularis (DiDive)

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec. 19 2018

Tony Stark has always hated Christmas and always will, nothing is going to make him change his opinion- not Rhodey, not Pepper, not Peter... or that’s what he thought before the night the spirit of his long dead friend, Yinsen, visted him.

Inspired by a Christmas Carol but it’s actually really different, Tony isn’t an asshole like Scrooge in the first stave of the book.

Warning for swearing. Irondad fluff.

“"God, kid... Peter... I'm so sorry, I love you, I really do, I just don't know how to express it sometimes" he told the kid softly, his face scrunched as he refused to start crying once again during that night.“

🎄 Honorary Parker by parkrstark

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec. 29 2017

Tony lets it slip to Peter that he'll be spending Christmas alone. Peter refuses to let that happen.

...And Last but not least! My Shameless Self-Promotion

🎄 Peter Parker’s December Shenanigans

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec 2019

A collection of related short stories that center around Winter/ChristmasEverything from Advent to New Year’s Eve.

🎄 Secret Sugarplum Spiderling

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec 2020

Peter has been taking ballet for nearly as long as he can remember and all of his hard work has finally paid off. He’s been cast as the Cavelier to the Sugarplum Fairy in his Performing Arts School’s production of The Nutcracker. It’s a big deal and it’s going to take up a good bit of time but… he’s just not sure he’s ready for his mentor to know about that particular hobby just yet.

He’s sure it’ll be fine …

All he has to do is show up at the studio on time, keep his grades up, make sure to see Tony on a regular enough basis that he doesn’t worry and try to squeeze in some patrolling in between. It’s that simple. Right?

❄️ Holiday Traditions

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec 2020

When a brief misunderstanding leaves Morgan thinking that Peter doesn’t like Christmas, Peter decides that it would be fun to teach her more about Hanukkah. In order to do so, he and May invite the Starks’ to share in some of their holiday traditions.

🎄 Well, Merry Sickmas, I Guess

No Archive Warnings Apply || Rated G || Posted Dec 2021

Peter is sick, Christmas is right around the corner and May had no idea how to help him. Naturally they end up in Tony’s medbay. It doesn’t take long for Peter to be diagnosed with nothing more than some mild dehydration and a nasty stomach bug. However, knowing she can’t take Peter to just any hospital should things go downhill, leaves May feeling a little nervous.…And that’s how Peter and May end up spending the holiday with Tony Stark in his Penthouse apartment.

And remember! If you read any of the above-mentioned fics, please be sure to let the author know how much you enjoyed their work! Kudos and comments are always appreciated!

Be on the lookout for my 2022 Christmas fic, Merry Stitchmas! I'm sure I'll be posting it soon!!

[Peronsally, I love knowing my older fics are still being found, read, and loved!]

[lovemesomesurveys]

(made by: tickle-my-pickle) 1. Do you typically say “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas”? I typically say, “Merry Christmas.”

2. Do you make or serve anything with cranberries around this holiday season? Blech, no. Not a fan. 

3. Do you collect pine cones, or have you in the past as a child? What have you made out of them/what did you do with them? I did some arts and crafts stuff with pinecones in school, but no I didn’t collect them. 

4. Have you/your family ever roasted chestnuts as a holiday treat before? No. 

5. Are red and green the colors that you typically associate with Christmas the most, or is there another color that you have in mind? What is it? Yeah, those are the main ones for sure. I do also associate blue, silver, and gold as well. 

6. What’s the worst Christmas gift that you’ve ever gotten before, and what made it the worst? I’ve never received a “worst” gift. 

7. Do you give your spare change to the mall Santas? I have before. 

8. Do you get to open up any presents on Christmas Eve? No, we like to open ours on Christmas morning. 

9. Do you believe in the saying that “good things come in small packages”? Yes.

10. Do your family members wrap your gifts, or were they just sitting there under the tree? How about when your parents were kids? My parents have always wrapped the presents. That would not be fun to just have everything sitting there unwrapped with no element of surprise.  11. Do you know anyone who has a birthday on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Have you ever gotten a gift that was meant for both your birthday as well as Christmas, either because it was expensive or because the two holidays are close together? No.

12. Are you someone who needs to work on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, or are you able to have those days off to spend time with your loved ones? I don’t have a job. 

13. Have you ever gone on any sort of Christmas-themed scavenger hunt before? How about played Christmas-themed bingo? I’m pretty sure I’ve played Christmas themed bingo in elementary school.

14. Is Christmas your favorite holiday? If so, why? If not - then which holiday is your favorite instead? Yes, it is. I just love everything about it. 

15. When was the last time you sat down and made an actual Christmas gift? How often do people ask you what you want for Christmas and you’re unable to think of anything concrete until after the holidays have passed? Uhh, I mean I made little gifts in arts and crafts when I was little like ornaments and whatnot. I usually can think of something I would like, but this year was really hard. 

16. Do you watch “Kickoff to Christmas” or “Countdown to Christmas” movie specials on the FreeForm channel? When do you start counting down the days until Christmas? Yeah, I watch Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas. I’ve been watching that since I was a kid.

17. Does it ever deeply concern you to know that Santa knows when you’re sleeping, and he knows when you’re awake? Don’t make it creepy okay lol.

18. What would you do if your grandma got run over by a reindeer? I’d be devastated and horrified. I do like the song, though lol.  

19. What’s the most unusual thing that you’ve ever wanted for Christmas? (like two front teeth or a hippopotamus, perhaps) lol when I was a kid I loved mustard seasoned pretzels, so “Santa” brought me a big bag for my stocking.

20. Do you donate toys to your local toy drive, or offer food for Christmas meals during this time? No.

[theblueorchidhotels]

Christmas festivities from around the world | Celebrate with Blue Orchid Hotels

Christmas and New Year are one of the most popular festivals in the Western world. There are quite a lot of countries that do not see Christmas as a public holiday but that does not damper their celebration spirit. Hotels in London UK offer several deals which you can lay your hands on if you are quick with your bookings. These deals disappear fast as there are millions who visit London during the Christmas season. 

Let's take a look at how people around the world celebrate Christmas: 

South Korea

Christmas in South Korea is a big affair as 25-30%  of the population is Christian. It has the most Christians than any other South Asian nation. Even amongst the non-Christians, Christmas day is extremely popular as churches are all decked in neon lights and floral wreaths. 

It is a national holiday, however, people have to return to work the next day. A longer break is provided during the New Year week. Korean New Year is quite different from the Western World. 1st of January sees a celebration with enthusiasm, but the Koreans Lunar New Year is a bigger deal. With traditional food, new clothing, tons of gifts, lights and cultural norms, it is one of the best times to visit Korea. 

Germany 

Germans are known for their lavish celebration of Christmas day. Markets, food stalls, skiing and ice skating, beer, and glass ornaments decorations. Not only the celebration is popular, but so are the tales of Krampus, a horned, green monster that comes along St. Nicholas. Carp and Goose are popular specialities with Stollen, a fruited yeast bread. Every part of Germany has its own traditions and stories. Similar to the hotels in London UK, accommodation in Germany is to be booked ahead if you want a budgeted stay. 

Switzerland 

This country shares similar customs as Germany and Austria, There is food, mulled wine, music and presents. Enjoy some hot Glühwein as you stroll around the villages for Christmas food and decorations. People come out to celebrate with parades and sing carols around the towns. 

In London, Westminster Abbey hotels are close to the gothic church and the Royal Albert Hall organises service and carol performances. Churches in Switzerland organise mass services on St. Nicholas Day as well as Christmas Day.

United States of America 

A Christmas in America is not complete without extravagant decorations using lights, Santa Claus, Snowmen and Reindeer. The Christmas cards are sent to families and friends, the unusual Christmas Pickle tradition, and cookies with a glass of milk are left outside for Santa. 

As in London, near all the top conference venues in London, Trafalgar Square features a marvellous tree with children performing Christmas Carol, its American counterpart is New York's Rockefeller Center with a massive tree of its own and a public skating rink. 

United Kingdom 

Christmas trees were popularised by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Being German, he figured it was one of the best ways to celebrate the festival in London. Nativity Plays and Carol Services with candlelights put you into the right mood for Christmas. Westminster Abbey hotels offer your proximity to all the top churches, and theatres, as well as Oxford and Piccadilly Circus. 

Choosing Blue Orchid Hotels London 

Having three properties in the heart of London that are Tower Suites, The Wellington and the Rochester, Blue Orchid offers exquisite discounts for the most luxurious rooms that would delight every guest. Family experiences, Christmas tours, Afternoon tea traditions, Wizarding experiences, you name it, the hotels offer it. Apart from their excellent location near the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, River Thames, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, these hotels are also some of the best conference venues in London.

Redefining your stay in the big city, whether you wish to stay in a room with a river view or a tranquil region away from the bustling traffic, you can book yourself a room without fretting. 

The hotels have a spa, gym, private outdoor gardens, Alfresco dining with numerous packages, a coffee shop, restaurants, and comfortable rooms that will put your mind at ease as you experience the high life of London. (Facilities differ at every hotel) 

[prettyinlimegreenboots]

Please take a moment to consider Racetrack and Spot's clashing aesthetics for the Christmas tree. Spot wanting to go with silver and blue and Racetrack's wanting red and gold. Unable to come to a consensus between them, they just use all 4 colours, it looking very mismatched but very Sprace. The moment of 'oh you have got to be kiddin' when Mariah Carey's vocals are heard, not lasting long before the wrapped in tinsel Spot (courtesy of Racer who's wearing jingley reindeer antlers) breaks into a grin, the pair erupting into a full 'all i want for christmas is you' karaoke

This made my day when you first sent in it so I apologize for not responding to it until now. This would be the best kind of chaos but it would suit them perfect. The ornaments would be a mix match of stuff they made in elementary school, ones that have been given to them over the years, one that they've given each other and a few random ones (a pickle, a mushroom, a deer, etc) that they have given each other throughout the years.

Can I buy tickets to them doing a "all I want for Christmas is you" karaoke party? I'd pay serious money to see them belt out those lyrics along with dance moves made up as they make their way through the song!

Thank you for making my day and sending this in. I hope you have a very happy holiday filled with love, friends, and family! And I hope Santa brings you everything you want!

[pigeoncoffee]

ultimate single word island names list

as you all know i loved single word town names on new leaf.. whilst ive been brainstorming names for my new horizons island i’ve compiled the ultimate single word island names list!

enjoy!

Ocean/water words: • Brook • Bay • Boat • Canal • Coral • Cove • Creek • Current • Deep • Dock • Drench • Driftwood • Drip • Drain • Gulf • Kelp • Lake • Marine • Pond • Reservoir • River • Rinse • Rill • Rockpool • Sail • Sailboat • Scuba • Spring • Snorkel • Stream • Sea • Seaweed • Seabed • Surf • Swamp • Tarn • Tide • Tidepool • Water • Yacht

Summer/Beach words: • Coast • Conch • Dock • Dune • Harbour • Palmtree • Pier • Summer • Sand • Sandcastle • Shell • Seaside • Shore • Sunburn • Sunscreen • Wharf • Vacation • Voyage

Fish/Aquatic animal words: • Barnacle • Clam • Carp • Crab • Eel • Fin • Flounder • Herring • Limpet • Lobster • Mackerel • Otter • Oyster • Plankton • Salmon • Scallop • Shark • Shrimp • Starfish • Stingray • Squid • Sunfish • Tadpole • Trout

Animal/habitat words: • Antler • Ant • Anthill • Burrow • Bee • Beehive • Bumble • Barn • Bat • Bug • Cobweb • Den • Fleece • Fur • Gull • Hive • Hornet • Honeybee • Ladybug • Ladybird • Nest • Paddock • Raven • Roost • Rook • Seagull • Snail • Toad • Web

Plant/flowers words: • Aloe • Bud • Bamboo • Bloom • Clover • Cosmos • Daffodil • Fern • Heather • Lily • Lilypad • Leaf • Lotus • Orchid • Orchard • Palm • Petal • Primrose • Rose • Stem • Seed • Sprout • Tulip • Wilt • Wilted

Forest words: • Acorn • Birch • Branch • Bramble • Bark • Chestnut • Elm • Elder • Fir • Grove • Juniper • Maple • Oak • Sycamore • Stump • Sap • Sapling • Spruce • Tree • Twig • Thicket • Wood • Yew

Other outdoor words: • Acre • Bury • Barren • Cavern • Cave • Cliff • Coal • Dale • Dell • Earth • Field • Fossil • Garden • Hill • Henge • Hedge • Isle • Island • Lawn • Leaves • Mountain • Meadow • Marsh • Moor • Moss • Nature • Peak • Pebble • Rock • Root • Stone • Shire • Thorn • Uproot • Vale • Valley • Vineyard

Food words: • Avocado • Berry • Butter • Chai • Cider • Cake • Coffee • Coconut • Currant • Egg • Eggshell • Eggnog • Fig • Fudge • Honey • Honeycomb • Icecream • Jam • Jelly • Lemon • Mushroom • Muffin • Mocha • Nut • Pancake • Pear • Pea • Pie • Peanut • Pickle • Popsicle • Radish • Rice • Raisin • Rum • Sesame • Sushi • Syrup • Toast • Walnut

Herb/spices names: • Basil • Chive • Cinnamon • Clove • Dill • Fennel • Herb • Mustard • Nutmeg • Parsley • Saffron • Sage • Spice • thyme

Calm words: • Airy • Away • Awe • Aura • Calm • Drowsy • Dream • Hope • Haven • Haze • Lazy • Lull • Nurture • Quiet • Relax • Rest • Safe • Soft • Serene • Slumber • Silent • Yawn

Cosy Words: • Blanket • Boots • Cotton • Cosy • Cinder • Flannel • Glove • Knit • Knitted • Mitten • Quilt • Raincoat • Sweater • Slipper • Teapot • Teacup • Warmth • Weave • Woven • Yarn

Cute words: • Adore • Blush • Bonny • Cupid • Cuddle • Dainty • Delicate • Ethereal • Fluff • Giggle • Glitter • Lovely • Precious • Sweet • Wonder

City/Town/Building words: • Cabin • Camp • Campsite • Cottage • Home • House • Igloo • Inn • Loft • Mill • Market • Park • Road • Shelter • Street • Tunnel • Tavern • Village • Ville

Weather/time of day words: • Blizzard • Dusk • Dawn • Draft • Drizzle • Downpour • Fog • Flood • Flurry • Gust • Hail • Humid • Mist • Misty • Midnight • Noon • Night • Overcast • Rain • Rainfall • Raindrop • Rainbow • Rise • Storm • Soleil • Sunset • Sun • Season • Sleet • Typhoon • Thunder • Weather • Wind

Seasonal words: Spring/Easter: • April • Crisp • Dew • Dewdrop • Easter • Farm • Farmyard • Floral • Florist • Flourish • Grow • Growth • Hatch • June • Plantpot

Autumn/Halloween: • Afraid • Bale • Bonfire • Cackle • Casket • Creep • Coffin • Costume • Carve • Cemetery • Chilling • Disguise • Eerie • Fall • Fright • Frighten • Firework • Grave • Ghoul • Ghost • Grim • Gore • Hay • Harvest • Howl • Haunt • Haunted • Halloween • Lantern • Morbid • November • Phantom • Rake • Strange • Scream • Scare • Spook • Tomb • Trick • Wicked • Witch • Warlock • Zombie

Winter/Christmas: • Arctic • Chill • Carol • Elf • Festive • Frost • Frostbite • Firewood • Gift • Garland • Holly • Holiday • Ice • Iced • Icy • Icicle • Jingle • Jolly • Merry • Noel • Nativity • Ornament • Present • Reindeer • Rudolph • Scrooge • Sleigh • Snow • Skate • Snowman • Snowball • Stocking • Tinsel • Winter • Wreath • Yule • Yulelog

Mystical words: • Amulet • Cauldron • Chalice • Conjure • Coven • Charm • Cherub • Enchant • Fairy • Fairies • Gargoyle • Goblet • Goblin • Golem • Gnome • Hidden • Hex • Imp • Myth • Nymph • Potion • Spirit • Sprite • Spell • Secret • Shadow • Siren • Wand • Wander

Gem stone words: • Amethyst • Amber • Jasper • Jade • Onyx • Opal • Sapphire • Topaz • Quartz

Colour words: • Bronze • Blush • Fuchsia • Hazel • Ivory • Linen • Ochre • Pale • Peach • Pewter • Sepia • Seafoam • Tawny

Space words: • Aurora • Asteroid • Cosmic • Crescent • Eclipse • Gravity • Luna • Mercury • Meteor • Moon • Nebula • Orbit • Planet • Solar • Star • Venus • Zodiac

Direction words: • Around • Across • Above • East • Far • North • Over • South • Under • West

Other words: • Ash • Ablaze • Beam • Backpack • Dust • Ever • Edge • End • Echo • Cranny • Comb • Frail • Gutter • Hole • Lune • Lush • Letter • Nimble • Nook • Old • Plain • Paper • Rinse • Range • Ridge • Rust • Rusted • Rot • Rotted • Silk • Set • Settle • Sponge • Swelter • Swell • Smog • Urn • Umbrella • Vain • Vile • View • Way • World

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Winter/Holiday Challenge

Hello wonderful Tumblr Peeps! It’s that time of year where we get all those festive feels. @sagechanoafterdark and I wanted to throw a bit of a holiday party for all of us. 

Below you will find some prompts, a bit of everything that we had pulled together to help inspire you either in writing, mood boards, or other forms or artwork you would like to submit. Either just seasonal fun or holiday specific. Also throwing this out there, if you wanted to switch up some of the prompts from Christmas to something a little different, but want to use the idea in the prompt, please feel free. We encourage it, just please specify if its another holiday so I can write it down. We personally know most Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions, but would love to see (as well as learn) other traditions that you all celebrate. We are leaving this as an open fandom challenge, and will be making a masterlist with all the works submitted to us. Happy Writing! 

Below the cut, you will find the rules and prompts provided.

Can be anything you want to submit, writing or art work. 

Non Con and Dub Con is allowed

Underage, messing with animals, toilet play is a hard NO for us.

All that being said, Properly label your work for anything that’s needed. We have the right to refuse reposting/adding to the official list if it's incomplete with its warnings. 

Please send Sweater your request in a ask, with the number/s and character/fandom you want to write for.  

AU, OC, Y/N, etc is allowed. 

There will be no date to have it submitted by, we know people have lives and cant always get to stuff ASAP. Or the muse has stepped out. No worries, we got you. Submit when you can. 

Anything that is over 500 words, please use a ‘KEEP READING’ Lets not clutter our friends blogs up. (if you're on mobile, we understand it's not easy to use, no worries.) 

Please Reblog this for people to see, we would appreciate it. 

You don’t have to follow us, although be cool if you did

When you tag this, please use #ssholidaychallenge and tag @sagechanoafterdark​ and @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ in your fic. 

Also probably send one of us a message if one of us doesn’t respond in a timely manner, it’s most likely where Tumblr is not sending notifications. 

You can mix and match prompts. If you wanted something from each category, feel free. Just send the info in your ask. 

There will be no restrictions in prompts, more than one person can have the same prompt. 

2 stories per person though.

HAVE FUN with this. 

Prompts

Person A surprises Person B by being home in time for any holiday of choosing @just-one-ordinary-fangirl with Steve @angrythingstarlight with Andy, Dark!Steve

Person A is great at baking, Person B is not. Chaos @nekoannie-chan with Steve/Brock

Person A is very particular about decorating, Person B just wants to put the decorations wherever they want. 

“That's the ugliest sweater i’ve ever seen.” @icanfeelastormbrewing and @what-is-your-plan-today with Jake and Stella

“My house, my rules. Christmas music stays on.” @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho with Ransom

“Yea, uh, alcohol doesn't go in hot chocolate.” @viinchester

“I love you, but you are a shit decorator.” 

“Step away from the cookies.” @pagesoflauren with Ransom @the-soulofdevil

Pulling you/character in for a kiss from the scarf @imma-sucker-for-a-beard with Chris @queenbeean​ with Ransom

Christmas Cookie Baking Day

Hiding the pickle in the tree @thefanficfaerie with Steve

“Can we pretend we’re dating at my family's Christmas Party? Then keep it up till New Years?” @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad 

Accidentally breaks ornaments decorating @stuckonjbbarnes with Loki

“Are those lights singing?” “Yes” “I hate them” “I love them” 

Kinky Gift Exchange

“Let's do something to put us on the naughty list” @imma-sucker-for-a-beard with Chris

Wrap yourself up like a gift

Get caught nibbling on forbidden holiday treats @sweeterthanthis

“All I want for christmas is you” @queenbeean​with Curtis

Finding the PERFECT tree @what-is-your-plan-today with Rogers @thefanficfaerie with Chris

Meeting the family for the holiday @mcubabydotcom with Ransom @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad 

Snowed in and make a fire for warmth (and cuddles) @romaxnogersav with Bucky @steebsbabygirl with Steve

Holiday Movie Night! (any movie of your choosing) 

Exchanging Secret Santa Gifts @navybrat817​ with Bucky

Lighting the Menorah

Eight Days of Hanukkah

Exchanging homemade gifts on the last day of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa party! 

Seven Days of Kwanzaa

Playing the dreidel and other games

“Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Merry Christmas Bitch, I love you.” (feel free to leave out the swear if you want) 

“Do you wanna build a sno-” “Don't you dare finish that” @twittytelly with Chris @bananapie99 with Bucky

“You look like this gingerbread man” proceeds to take a bite. @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho with Ransom

“I love Christmas more than anything” “what, even more then me?” @just-one-ordinary-fangirl with Ransom

“You’ve burnt the turkey.” 

“I’m freezing, you’re warm. Hug me.” @arrowsandmixtapes @steebsbabygirl with Steve @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad 

Exchanging Secret Santa Gifts

Donating toys to children @redhairedfeistynerd​ with Chris

“Did you put antlers on the dog?” @what-is-your-plan-today with Adlers @viinchester with Chris 

“Im freezing, you are warm, hug me.” @nekoannie-chan with Steve/Brock

Song Prompts

41. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt @angrythingstarlight​ with Andy

42. It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

43. White Christmas - Bing Crosby

44. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

45. Frosty The Snowman - Gene Autry

46. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry

47. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen

48. Blue Christmas - Elvis

49. Last Christmas - Wham

50. Mr Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft @stargazingfangirl18​ with Frank Adler

51. Silver Bells - Dean Martin

52. Mele Kalikimaka - Bing Crosby

53. Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Johnny McMathis

54. Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives

55. Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano

56. Hippopotamus for Christmas - Gayla Peevy

57. Holly Jolly Christmas - Dean Martin @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho​ with Ransom

58. All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey @angrythingstarlight​ with Dark!Steve

59. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Elmo and Patsy

60. Rockin Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

Movie Prompts- 

61. Four Christmases- You and Character of choice go to your different family Christmas’s, each with their own disasters. 

62. National Lampoon's Christmas- The whole family gets together in one house to celebrate. (Cousin Eddie anyone?) @pagesoflauren​ with Ransom

63. Jingle All the Way- Got to find THE GIFT of the season last minute

64. The Grinch- Someone just doesn't like the holiday, heart is three sizes too small. But it can all turn around and find the holiday spirit @verdandi-storm​

65. It's A Wonderful Life- Someone gets an awakening during the Holidays at just how lucky they are from a visitor.

Picture Prompts-

66.

@bananapie99 with Bucky

67.

68.

@twittytelly​ with Chris @stuckonjbbarnes with Bucky

69.

@the-soulofdevil​ @angrythingstarlight​ with Dark!Steve

70.

@donutloverxo​

71.

@gotnofucks with Sam/Bucky

72.

@sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ with Sam

73.

@sweater-daddiesdumbdork​

[kaileeandag]

Items in Tyler-Rose’s Collection

-Meet Outfit (Pokemon t-shirt with Ash Ketchum and various Pokemon on the front, black jeans, black and white Heely’s shoes and white socks) -Meet Accessories (plush Barbie purse with Snoopy keychain, Barbie denim wallet containing a gift card to Barnes & Noble and $15 in pretend money, kitten stickers, and husky puppy plush toy)

School Collection: -Tyler-Rose’s Backpack (blue Pochacco backpack with a soccer theme) -Tyler-Rose’s School Supplies (blue soccer themed Pochacco pencil case containing a pretend pencil sharpener and an eraser, a pink Spacemaker pencil box containing four pencils, kids scissors, and three colored pencils, a 4th grade math textbook, and a 4th grade social studies textbook) -Tyler-Rose’s School Lunchbox (Harry Potter lunchbox with thermos containing pretend water, comes with these pretend food items: peanut butter sandwich with fluff, box of Blazin’ Blueberry Hi-C juice, Dunkaroos with chocolate frosting, bag of red grapes, and a pouch of rainbow Gushers) -Tyler-Rose’s School Lunch (red lunch tray with these pretend food items: five chicken nuggets, a mound of mashed potatoes, a bread roll, and a carton of chocolate milk)

Holiday Collection: -Osmosis Jones DVD (case only, comes with screenshots from the movie) -Shrek DVD (case only, comes with screenshots from the movie) -Tyler-Rose’s Nintendo Gamecube console and games (console is black and non-functional, comes with cases and screenshots from these games: Super Smash Bros. Melee, Luigi’s Mansion, and The Simpsons Road Rage. Console can be attached to Tyler-Rose’s TV from her bedroom collection) -Tyler-Rose’s Christmas Tree (fake Christmas tree with these ornaments: Ren and Stimpy in a stocking, Tommy Pickles, three present ornaments, and a silver star topper) -Tyler-Rose’s Reindeer Antlers hat -Tyler-Rose’s New Outfit (Limited Too navy blue tank top with daisy decal, light blue capri pants, and gray and pink New Balance sneakers) -Red Mickey Mouse nightgown and red slipper socks 

Birthday Collection: -Party Party Party Barbie doll with outfits (comes with these outfit sets: picnic, tea party, beach blast, and dance) -Atlantis: The Lost Empire DVD (case only, comes with screenshots from the movie) -Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in At the House of Mouse DVD (case only, comes with screenshots from the movie) -Salon Surprise Barbie doll -Tyler-Rose’s Birthday Outfit (light pink daisy long sleeve shirt, navy blue jeans, and pink and white Nike sneakers with white socks) -Tyler-Rose’s Birthday Table and Treats (rectangular table with a Harry Potter table cover, four Harry Potter plates and forks, and these pretend food items: a gold cake with purple and blue frosting with Happy Birthday Tyler-Rose! written on it, a ‘10′ candle, four Harry Potter cups filled with cherry flavored Kool-Aid, three Fruit Barrels drinks, and two cheese pizzas from House of Pizza) -Barbie Pinata (filled with these pretend treats: snack size Hershey bars, snack size Snickers, snack size M&Ms, and snack size Skittles)

UK Vacation Collection (Summer): -Great Britain Flag (doll sized flag of Great Britain) -British Snacks Set (contains doll sized versions of these food items, all food items are pretend: bag of mini Jammie Dodgers, bag of Iced Gems, bag of Prawn Cocktail crisps, Citrus Polo mints, Fox’s Party Rings, and bag of Walker’s Max Red Hot crisps) -British Sweets Set (contains doll sized versions of these snacks, all food items are pretend: Cadbury Dream chocolate bar, tube of Kola Frosties, packet of Jelly Babies, Mars bar, Strawberry and Lemon Calippo Shots, Freddo chocolate frog, and Cadbury Flake Snow chocolate bar) -Tyler-Rose’s Pick n Mix (from the Woolworth’s store chain, pretend sweets, she picked these: Fruit Salad chews, rhubarb and custard, Kola cubes, cola bottles, and lemon drops) -Tyler-Rose’s English Tea Set (comes with these pretend food items and a plate: crumpet with butter, cup of tea with milk, and McVitie’s Digestive Biscuit) -Tyler-Rose’s English Food Set (comes with these pretend food items: chip shop chips topped with cheese and scraps, Gregg’s Sausage Roll, bacon butty, cheese toastie, fish finger sandwich, beans on toast, and three Scotch eggs) -Tyler-Rose’s British Style Birthday Set (her mom’s penpal throws Tyler-Rose a party to celebrate being 10 years old, comes with these items, all food items are pretend: bowl of jelly and ice cream, Colin the Caterpillar cake, two butterfly cupcakes, a carton of Ribena blackcurrant juice, bowl of strawberry Angel Delight, and a copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book The House of the Seven Gables)

Winter Collection: -Tyler-Rose’s Winter Outfit (black puffy jacket, pink mittens and hat, and purple snow boots) -Tyler-Rose’s Home Sick Set (comes with these items, all food items are pretend: cup of Diet Pepsi, cup of water, bowl of Trix cereal with milk, box of tissues, and a Barbie waste basket) -Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius DVD (case only, comes with screenshots from the movie)

Bed Collection: -Tyler-Rose’s Bed and Bedding (full size bed with Rugrats bedding) -Tyler-Rose’s Pajamas (light blue cloud pajamas from Limited Too) -Tyler-Rose’s TV and DVD player (non-functional, comes with screenshots from these TV shows: Spongebob Squarepants, Ed Edd n Eddy, Courage The Cowardly Dog, Grim & Evil, Whatever Happened to Robot Jones, and Cow and Chicken. The Gamecube from her Holiday collection can be attached to the TV) -Tyler-Rose’s End Table (comes with an end table, a non functioning Sailor Moon alarm clock, a non-functioning lamp, and a copy of Sideways Stories from Wayside School) -Tyler-Rose’s CD Player (works, can play CDs in her Extras collection)

Extra Outfits: -Tyler-Rose’s Red and Black Tankini Swimsuit with Hamtaro towel -Tyler-Rose’s Party Outfit (pink sparkly dress with black tights and black mary jane shoes) (wears this to celebrate her grandpa Narong’s retirement from Cyro after 27 years)

Extra Accessories: -Pokemon The Movie 3 DVD (case only, comes with screenshots from the movie) -Tyler-Rose’s “Cousin Christian’s Favorites Mix” CD (plays 30 second samples of these songs: Breakdown by Tantric, Awake by Godsmack, Do You Call My Name by Ra, and Crawling In The Dark by Hoobastank) -Dad’s Favorites CD (plays 30 second samples of these songs: Running Away by Hoobastank, Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) by Train, Angry Chair by Alice In Chains, and Rainbow In The Dark by Dio) -Tyler-Rose’s Favorites CD (all songs were released in 2001 or 2002, plays 30 second samples of these songs: Ordinary Day by Vanessa Carlton, Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue, Don’t Mess With My Man by Nivea, With You by Linkin Park, Nice To Know You by Incubus, and Swing Swing by All American Rejects)

[comeoncomeout41]

I just watched the Elf episode of The Holiday Movies That Made Us on Netflix after remembering that I started writing an Elf supercorp AU for Christmas in 2018 (don’t judge me) and found my old notes app first draft so Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! MAYBE I’ll finish it this year... (she said as a lying liar who lies.)

*The fic in which Kara’s pod crash landed at the North Pole, 13 years later her adopted elf mother Eliza and her elf sister Alex tell her about her cousin Kal now Clark Kent and she decides to go to Metropolis to meet the only other person like her. She meets Lena “naughty list” Luthor. And Clark and Lois are Jewish.

🔥🎄🎄🎄🧝‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Some elves are born to work in Santa’s workshop. Kara Zor-El, however, was not born an elf or even from this earth for that matter.

When her pod crash landed at the North Pole thirteen years ago, she had no memory of a lost planet, no recollection of a cousin she was sent to protect who had already grown up to become Superman, and no idea how to be an alien living with elves. Santa was perturbed as to what to do with a skittish teenaged alien who cringed at the sound of tiny hammers building toys.

The elf doctor, Eliza Danvers, having a daughter around Kara’s age, naturally stepped in to help raise her, teach her elf culture, and attempt to control her powers. There were several mishaps of course.

Kara’s eyes lit up the first time she saw a Christmas tree. Literally. The green pine was burned to a crisp with her heat vision. But she quickly uprooted another tree from outside the elf village and helped Alex redecorate the new tree. And spent several hours carefully placing the new lights and ornaments, after breaking several of the glowing strings of light and the ornate red and blue colored bulbs. When Alex had trouble reaching the top of the tree, Kara swooped her up under her arms to help her place the star on the tree. And she managed to only break one of Alex’s ribs in the process.

After years of being at the North Pole, Kara was actually a wonderful toy maker once she learned to control her strength. When other elves managed to meet their five hundred toy quotas, Kara would have five thousand toys completed. The workshop wouldn’t need any teddy bears for another century, but finding storage for all of the toys Kara built was becoming difficult.

So from there, Kara’s primary job became Elf Master of Letters. She spends several hours each day answering letters for Santa as Santa’s tight schedule and the millions of letters he received each year became too much for the old bearded man. And although she always needed a little proofreading as the different Earth languages were sometimes difficult and much different than her native alien tongue, she enjoyed writing and speaking to children all over the world, bringing them the joy of Christmas.

Alex read over the letter Kara had just finished typing. Her younger but much bigger sister looked to her with a twinkle in her eyes and waited patiently. When Kara saw the red ink marked all over Kara’s letter she cooed and gasped, “That red is so pretty Alex. I know Raymond in Denver will love it! He told me red was his favorite color. I wanted to tell him that’s Santa’s favorite color too! But I didn’t want to give all of the big man’s secrets away, you know?”

Alex sighed and rested her hand on her sister’s shoulder, “Kara, these are your typos. Look here.”

Alex pointed to the last line, “Beleiving isn’t singing. Singing is beleiving.”

“He asked if he could see what the North Pole looks like. I set him straight. Believing isn’t singing. Singing is believing. That was in that one Santa Claus movie you had me watch, which I know isn’t historically accurate or based on true events, but I still,”

“Kara, remember your English spellings. I before e except after c? And it’s seeing not singing.

“Except in some cases like neighbor and weigh. And I just thought! It’s a play on words because ‘the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!’”

Alex smiled at her then, “You’ll get the hang of it.“

“Yeah, okay so I can’t spell that great, but the writing was good right?” Kara looked hopeful.

Alex shoved her shoulder, “You know you have more Christmas spirit than any other elf. Now come on and fix these typos, so we can go drink hot chocolate with Mom.”

That night when Kara had gone to bed, belly full of twelve drumsticks, eleven pickled peppers, ten cups of hot chocolate, nine hams glazed, eight glasses of milk, seven strudel pastries, six white chocolate goose eggs, five onion rings, four carrot cakes, three French bagels, two turtle chocolates, and a chocolate pecan pie, she curled up on her elf sized bed. Eliza had knit a fourth blanket onto her elf quilt the previous month when her toes started peeking out at the bottom. Alex had tucked her in tonight, making certain she was snug as a bug in a rug in the tiny bed, wishing sweet dreams of sugarplums dancing in her head.

She was content, happy, home and tomorrow would be her thirteenth birthday at the North Pole. What more could her life possibly be, what could be more rewarding than being apart of the magic that brought Christmas to children all over the world? And still Kara thought of that world and all of the little lights that wrote those letters to Santa, the gleaming eyes of all who opened presents on Christmas morning, and she wondered if any of them were like her. If they could hear the faintest sounds of snow falling or reach up and touch the clouds. If they could roast chestnuts with their eyes or see through all those pretty presents wrapped neatly under the tree. If the people of this world could believe that Santa would come every year to bring them gifts, then she had to believe that somewhere out there, there was someone else who was just like her.

That night Kara dreamed of a beautiful red sunset and little baby boy named Kal. It all felt so real, seeing him jet across the sky in a similar pod to the one Kara had found in an abandoned workshop years ago, knowing it must have been how she found her home. She wrote a letter to Santa as soon as she woke up, asking him to find a home for Kal for Christmas.

_____

Kara had been in trouble a bit, always an accident, because really how was it her fault if Blitzen couldn’t keep up with her? He could have flown faster if he hadn’t eaten all of that maple syrup and maybe then he wouldn’t have been left behind! She carried him back the whole way anyway! After she found him three days later in the Swiss Alps.

But this time when she was called to Santa’s office and Eliza and Alex sat patiently waiting for the charges from the big boss, Kara didn’t know why she was here at all, or rather, now she was on the floor with wood debris around her rear because the little chair was a lot lower than she had anticipated. That was the tenth one this month.

Santa cleared his throat and rubbed his white bearded chin, “I read your letter, and I spoke to your mom and sister. I think they have something they’d like to tell you.”

Kara widened her eyes and looked to her mom, “Are we going to adopt Kal? Like you adopted me? Please say we can Eliza. I promise I’ll teach him myself how to control his powers, and I can build him a crib myself. I’ll even chop down the tree for the wood and we can,”

Eliza cupped Kara’s face and kissed her forehead, a tear prickling at the corner of her eye, “Do you remember Kal now sweetie? Do you remember Krypton?”

Kara blew out her breath in bewilderment, “Krypton? What’s that? Is that where I’m from? Is it in Canada? I’ve always felt I was probably a Canadian because I don’t get cold at the North Pole, and I make the best maple syrup every year during the elf Christmas party.”

Santa nodded, “Its true, you really do.”

Alex gasped, “you know you’re not an elf?”

Kara chewed at her fingernails, “Well I’m not, am I? I’m bigger than all of you and I can lift a Christmas tree over my head like it’s mistletoe and fly with reindeer and all sorts of stuff. I’ve known for awhile I’m not from here, but this is still my home. You two are still my family.”

Alex held back all her unshed tears, “But you have other family out there, and we can’t keep you from knowing about Kal anymore.”

So that day Kara cried when Santa showed her the picture of Kal, or Clark Kent as he was called on Earth, glasses askew and a beautiful woman on his arm. Clark without the glasses bearing what she was told was her family crest, the House of El, taking up the mantle of Earth’s greatest hero, Superman. She had crafted thousands of figurines of her only living blood relative, and yet she hadn’t the faintest idea that she had been sent to protect him for all of these years. He had grown up, not alone at least. He was raised in Kansas on a farm, and now he lived in Metropolis with his wife Lois Lane and their son Jonathan Kent.

“Does he even know I exist?”

_____

Kara changed into her best elf attire and her bright red boots that Eliza had made her for Christmas, letting her open one present before she left. Today was the day that she would fly to Metropolis and meet her cousin for the first time. She couldn’t wait, but the dread at leaving Alex and Eliza settled deep in the pit of her stomach. And all of the letters to Santa she still wanted to respond to sat neatly at her desk in her room.

She was leaving behind her entire life at the North Pole. She told herself she wasn’t losing her home, but it still felt like it. Santa’s workshop, Eliza and Alex, it was all she had ever known or could remember. Would it be the same when she came back? Would her room still smell like a gingerbread house and would her stocking still hang by their chimney with care? Would Kal come with her or would she split her time between Kal and Alex and Eliza like some children who get double presents when their parents divorce?

Alex knocked on her door and waltzed in, “Hey Kara, mom made you something to take to Kal. There’s a winter storm over Greenland, you should probably get going soon.”

Kara wiped the tears from her eyes and her sister rushed to hug her. She had to bend down a little and lift Alex off the ground, but no way was she leaving without giving her sister a proper hug.

“I’m going to miss you and mom so much, Alex. I’ve never been away from home for more than a few hours, how am I going to make it to Christmas without you both? Will you even still want me back?”

Alex nuzzled closer, “You better come back because I don’t want to imagine this place without you. Who’s going to lift the fridge so mom can sweep under it hmm? Who’s going to change all of the light bulbs in the workshop when they blow out? Who’s going to drink hot chocolate with me and watch Hallmark movies in July?”

Kara laughed, shaking her head and deposited Alex on the floor, “I thought you hated the Hallmark channel.”

Alex simply rolled her eyes, “But I love spending time with my sister, and I love you, you big sap. I swore I wasn’t going to cry.”

Feeling slightly better Kara shoves her sister’s shoulder, a little too hard and catches her before she falls, “I love you too, dork. Don’t open the present I got you until you get back, pinky swear?”

Alex locks pinkies with Kara and kisses her thumb, “I’ll miss you. Please be safe. No breaking the sound barrier, watch out for pigeons because there’s a lot in Metropolis or so I’ve read. And when you see Kal remember to call him Clark Kent.”

“Got it, and don’t eat anything I don’t buy myself or anything not given to me by Clark, Lois, or Jonathan because there’s a high chance it’s not candy.”

Kara hugged Eliza for thirty minutes after that, and then Alex for another ten minutes before waving goodbye to Santa and all of the elves at his workshop. Metropolis wasn’t so far for her to fly, and she’d be home in no time.

She coasted through the peppermint sparkled glaciers, touched the northern lights, sailed through the skies above the Arctic Ocean, grazed the top of the Daily Planet, and landed atop the small two bedroom apartment building on the rent controlled side of town. Inside the windows of the corner apartment on the top floor, Kara saw Kal with his family, lighting candles, looking happy and calm. She decided to wait until morning to meet Kal, Clark, alone.

She listened into the city around her, all of the heartbeats like a million tiny hammers beating together, all except one. Kara flew the city, pinpointing the sound, admiring all of the lights on all the trees in all of the buildings and all the shining multicolored bulbs lining the streets. And it was there, in the tallest tower of the tallest building, one light shone through the wall to wall window, a small desk lamp in the large office. At the desk a woman with jet black hair and skin as white and fair as snow sat, typing away at her computer, nibbling on the pen in her mouth. She strained her long elegant neck, and stretched her arms above her head before getting back to work.

Kara glanced below the balcony to the street corner, finding what she knew the young woman needed. She floated down to the alley and walked into a coffee shop, took some time figuring out how to pay for a cup of coffee with the paper and coin money that Santa had given her before she left. Smiled and thanked the cashier for helping her, put one of the bills in his tip jar (it was a hundred.) She quickly flew into the woman’s office, left the coffee on her desk, and flew out of sight, feeling a little like Santa herself in the moment.

The woman grabbed the coffee absentmindedly and sipped, not expecting it to be so hot Kara sees her fanning her mouth and frantically searching the room with her eyes. When she turns to peer out her balcony, Kara sees her face, hard jaw line, soft endearing green eyes. She smiles as the woman screams and locks her balcony door as the windows go pitch black.

[scavengerfive]

An Ornament Hung

Another year, another Abel Secret Santa fic. I went a bit overboard with this one, but I hope @when-sanpape-arts enjoys their Secret Santa gift. Sam wasn’t the best beta last time, so I got Maggie and Rajit to help me this year. Still, without any good proofreading softwares on Rofflenet, there was only so much we could do.

I would like to thank @runnerzero, @notforconsumption, and @goblinsharkz for putting all of this together and posting it on the Noticeboard (did Janine clear it?).

This takes place in some obscure limbo of my first year in Abel (OOC: though there are some mentions of future characters - though no real spoilers). Merry Christmas! Hpappy Holidays! Enjoy before my neuroticism kicks in, and I start editing every single mistake I spot.

Summary: You're not quite sure if you believe he is who he says he is, but he does have the laugh and the sleigh. Plus, his reindeer almost ran you over. He needs your help to save Christmas, but you're leaving it up to him to convince Janine because you'd rather not have latrine duty... again.

---

“Good job, Five!” Sam crowed after you exited the shop, shoving the doors shut behind you and quickly pushing over a pile of molding wooden beams to block them. “That should keep those zombs from following you. Did you get the supplies?”

You tapped the headset twice and looked down at your bag, holding it open so your head cam could see the inside, then you took off, keeping an eye out for any stray zombies that had splintered off from the horde you had just trapped. You hadn’t expected them to follow you in, but you made sure they couldn’t follow you out.

“Fantastic! Come on home then, Five,” Sam continued. “You did magnificent today. I’m sure I can convince Rajit to let you have a hot shower when you get back. Just go on right ahead and make a right when you get to the sign up the road. Head due west. You shouldn’t run into anything too big. Maybe a few shamblers, but you can stay ahead of them, right, Five?”

You tapped three times this time and beamed when he laughed.

“Cheeky, Five. Now, just ahead, you might have to--hold on, what’s this? I see something on the scanner… I can’t--wait--no… I don’t--hey, Five. Do me a favor and take the next two lefts and head towards the block of flats by the old theatre. I need your eyes--well, your head cam’s eyes--eye? Just--turn here.”

You knew Abel was the other way, but you trusted Sam and followed his directions without hesitation. It looked like something interesting caught his attention, and his curiosity demanded to be satiated, using you as its vessel. Not that you minded, and now, you were intrigued as well.

As you approached the flats, you could hear the ambient moans of zombies growing louder as you neared, and you took extra care to be quiet and stealthy in case you stumbled upon any. You crouched by a wall, sliding along it. Your nose had just about grown numb to the rancid scent on the wind, yet you had to swallow back a gag nonetheless.

There was an unfamiliar panting and grunting noise also gaining volume as you stalked towards the junction. You leaned forward to peek. The scattering of pebbles and sounds of clopping and, strangely, bells were your only warnings before a brown form barreled around the corner. You jumped back, tripped over a crack in the pavement, and fell on your bum, scrapping your palm on the rough ground.

“Five?” Sam called, sounding baffled. “Was that--was that a reindeer?”

Your head whipped around, and you caught sight of the tailend of the creature before it disappeared down the road. You tapped twice.

“Last time I checked, reindeer were not a native species in these parts. Perhaps, it escaped a zoo--or a sanctuary. Do we have any of those near here? And--am I mistaken, or did it have bells on it?”

You pushed yourself to your feet and jogged around the junction in the direction where the reindeer had come from. You could definitely hear more than a few zombies ahead.

“It should be just ahead, Five,” Sam said as you skulked. “I can see a horde of zombies surrounding a house. I think there is someone trapped on the roof. They might need help. Think you’re up for it?”

Tapping twice, you sped up, following the moans.

“Um… Five? Is that--is that a sleigh? On its side?”

Yes. Yes, it was. It was tipped over on its side, one of its runners up in the air. The red painted wood was scratched and splintering in spots, and there were reins from the front rail piled on the ground, torn or unhooked. A red sack was tumbled out of the back, deflated on the ground.

“Oh, no. Tell me you’re not about to be chased by zombie Santa and his elves, Five,” Sam whined. “That would be so not holly jolly.”

You prodded the bag with your foot. It seemed to be empty, and you contemplated picking it up when you heard a deep voice bellow over the moans of the zombies just out of sight.

“Oh, ho, ho, no! Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen! Come back here! Comet! Cupid! Donder! Blitze--where is Blitzen? Comet? Where is-- no! Back here! Chocolate fudge!”

You easily found the owner of the voice, and… Sam wasn’t too far off. A crowd of maybe fifteen zombies or so surrounded a two story house, its front door broken open. You suspected some may be inside, but the ones outside had their attention fixed upward where a familiar (in reputation) figure was on the roof. He limped along the edge of the roof, scratching his great white beard. His other hand was clutching a red hat with a white poof at the end, an accessory to the bright suit he wore over his rotund frame.

Your brain short circuited, but where you were rebooting, Sam was freaking out.

“Five! It can’t be! No! Come on!” he denied before flipping completely the other way. “Santa! It’s Santa! Five, that’s Santa! The Kris Kringle Saint Nick Santa! Surrounded by zombies! Santa is surrounded by zombies! Santa is about to be bitten by zombies and turned into a zombie! Father Christmas is about to be zombied!”

The radio operator inhaled loudly, reclaiming the air he had expelled with that breathless outpour.

“Five, you have to save him! If he dies, Christmas is over! You have to save Christmas!”

You tapped four times, and Sam quieted, letting you focus. You didn’t have time to think too hard on whatever was happening or who exactly you were seeing, but you did know how to help someone in a crisis like this. This was familiar.

You pulled out your noisemaker and turned it on before leaving your cover. Zombies were immediately attracted to the newer, more persistent noise, and you soon had a tail that you began to lead away from the house.

“Cut through those two building, Five,” Sam directed, sounding a bit calmer, falling into routine, but he still had a manic tinge to his voice. “If you hop that fence, you can lose them and circle back! Yes, that one. Oh, brilliant, Five! You went right over it. No problem. Okay, left around this house, and back to… Santa. Santa! Five!”

Four taps as you made your way back to the house, noisemaker off and back in your pocket.

“...but it’s Santa Claus, Five. Okay. Okay. I’ll calm down.”

The… man was still on the roof when you approached it. There were about two zombies still persistently moaning up at him. You unclipped your bat, and sneaking up on one, you whacked it from behind, nearly taking its whole head off. The body squelched on the ground, and you quickly dispatched the next one that turned to you. It was over in seconds.

“Oh, hello, Runner Five!”

You looked up at the greeting.

“...you know Santa, Five?”

Sam had no right sounding that betrayed, and you were just confused. How did he know who you were?

“It seems you are here to help me out of this pickle I’ve got myself in,” Santa (?) said jovially, like he wasn’t trapped on a roof. “I’m afraid I cannot get down the same way I got up. My ride seems to have suffered a--tragic accident. By the way, have you seen any reindeer? They wandered off.”

“...no. No way,” Sam exclaimed.

You just--you couldn’t--you walked around the house, locating a small shed by the back. You pushed at the door, the swollen wood resisting a bit before giving. Holding your bat at ready, you slipped in. It smelled musty rather than decaying, and you saw a few abandoned tools and supplies which you began to pack into your bag, wishing you had collected that sack (Santa’s sack?). There was a ladder like you had hoped, and you grasped it, lifting slash dragging it behind you.

“Ah, yes. That should work brilliantly,” Santa said as you reappeared, not looking the slightest bit concerned that you had abandoned him. “You are a clever one, aren’t you?”

You extended the ladder and leaned it against the side of the house, holding its side to steady it. “Santa” moved slowly, swinging a leg onto a rung and working his way down the ladder until he was on the ground again--like a normal person--not that this was the first person you’ve seen on a roof--but his roof activity had implications that didn’t just involve being trapped by the undead.

You backed up as he brushed his suit off and plopped his hat back on his head, eyeing him warily.

“Five?” Sam called quietly. “Does he really have ruddy cheeks?”

...who didn’t in this weather?

“Runner Five,” Santa said in a deep, warm voice with a great big smile. “I am so grateful you came along to help me. I must say I found myself quite puzzled on how to get myself out of that situation.”

“Does this mean you are on the Nice List?” Sam asked, then gasped. “Five, ask him if he has a Nice List? Am I on it?”

You tapped three times, and "Santa’s" gaze followed your hand as it dropped. He looked intrigued.

“Oh, is that Sam?” he asked, eyes studying the headset.

You froze while Sam squeed.

“HE KNOWS MY NAME!”

“Mr. Yao, what is going on in here?”

“Oh-um, Janine…”

“Why isn’t Five back yet with the equipment?”

“Um--you see--the thing is, Janine--that--”

You gestured at "Santa" to follow, and he started limping after you. Now that he was on ground level, you could see a wound through his torn trousers's left leg, but you couldn't see what kind. Nowadays, it was really important to know the cause. You stopped, unwilling to risk it. He looked at you expantantly, and you gestured at his leg.

"Ah, this old thing? Well, not old," "Santa" amended, both of you clearly seeing the still drying blood. "One of the runners of my sleigh caught my leg when my reindeer startled and took off without me. They're still not used to the current state of things unfortunately and can be quite skittish."

...whatever.

“Mr. Yao," Janine pushed, and you could almost hear her arms-crossed stance of pure intimidation.

“...Five just saved Santa!" Sam broke.

"...what? Mr. Yao, must I remind you that Santa Claus is not real?"

"Have you seen my sleigh by the way? Or any of my reindeer?" "Santa" asked, once again tailing you as you headed back towards where you had originally come and towards Abel. "I will be needing them if I am to fulfill my seasonal duty and get back home."

He was really committing to the role, wasn't he? Though, you had to give him points. You were almost run over by a reindeer.

"Uh-Five just sa--look for yourself!" Sam exclaimed at his wit’s end. “Five, look at him again.”

There was a rustling, and you turned your head, making sure your head cam was facing “Santa”. He waved.

“Hello, Janey,” he greeted, beaming. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? How is little Tommy doing? Haven’t heard from you two in a long time.”

Sam’s sounds were pitched and incoherent, but Janine’s voice, low and tight, was clear, and you suppressed a shiver.

“Bring him in, Runner Five,” she ordered. “I would like to have a chat with him.”

“Janine! You cannot interrogate Santa!”

“Oh…” Santa breathed when you led him around the junction, and he spotted his sleigh. “Oh, dear.”

He limped over to it, and you followed after him, keeping an eye out for any of the zombies you had led astray earlier. Sam was supposed to be your eyes in the sky, your guy in the chair, but he clearly was trying to wrap his mind around this situation. You understood Janine’s wariness because you were too. How did this stranger not only know who was on the other side of the link but also all of their names?

“Who’s Tom?” Sam asked.

“No one. Forget you ever heard that name. Get Runner Five home.”

“...and she is gone,” Sam said after a pause. “An open book, isn’t she, Five?”

“Santa” caressed the side of the sleigh, his gloves catching on the splinters, and he pulled back. For the first time since you’d encountered him, he looked somber. You watched him walk around it then slowly crouch to examine the reins. He grasped a torn end, frowning. Abruptly, he dropped it and stood, brushing off his gloves and smiling at you.

“I suppose I must go with you to Abel,” he said, bending over to pick up the red sack by the sleigh and throw it over his shoulder. “It was one of my stops. I think I’m going to need your runners’ help.”

Sam inhaled, and you buckled in for his next outburst.

---

Despite his bum leg, “Santa” managed to keep up with you (after you slowed down a bit). As Sam yelled, “Raise the gates!”, you and “Santa” passed under a hail of bullets and through the outer gate. As the siren blared and quieted, a guard stepped forward to do your bite checks, eyeing “Santa” with bewilderment.

“Hello, George,” “Santa” said with a warm smile. “Is Lizzie doing well?”

George stopped in the middle of your examination and stared wide-eyed at the “Santa”. So did you.

“How-how-do I know you?” George sputtered, half between reaching for his weapon, but he looked more confused than hostile.

“Not as well as you used to, but Lizzie did mention that she was worried about you since her mum got hurt.”

“How--when have you spoken to my daughter?”

You caught George before he could get too close to “Santa”, and another guard steped forward to guide him back.

“Thank you, John,” “...Santa?” said offhandedly, looking at George. “I haven’t had the pleasure of talking with the young lady, but she still wrote a letter this year despite the apocalypse.”

“You expect me to believe you’re actually Santa Claus?”

As usual, some people were drawn by the gate sirens, curious to see who was out of the township and what they brought back, but instead of wandering off, they stopped to stare, calling over other people until a small muttering crowd was beginning to form. It’s not everyday that Santa comes to town.

“I don’t expect belief from anyone,” “Santa?” said, unmoved by the tension. “I am who I am. Hello, Sam!”

You turned to see the radio operator squeezing his way through the crowd, his headset hanging off center around his neck. He forced himself through, stumbling forward as he pulled himself free. Stopping, he stared, eyes wide.

“...Santa?” Sam called out tentatively, clutching his hoodie.

“It’s good to see you, Sam,” “Santa (...what?)” said kindly. “I’m sorry to hear about your engineering degree, but I’m glad you’re putting your interests to use to help your friends.”

Sam lit up and rushed forward.

“I--it’s nothing really,” he said, suddenly bashful. “I just talk people’s ears off and hopefully get them out of trouble.”

“Sam, don’t tell me you believe him,” George said incredulously, still glaring at “...Santa”.

“I mean--look at him,” Sam said, gesturing at “Santa (...?)”. “And Five found his sleigh and almost got ran over by a reindeer. Tell them, Five!”

You flashed a thumbs up when the guards looked for confirmation.

“He was probably a mall Santa,” George countered.

“Or just crazy,” John added quietly, speaking up for the first time.

“Mr. Jones and Mr. Monroe, did you finish conducting the routine bite checks?” Janine’s stern voice cut through.

The two men startled to see Janine who had somehow managed to sneak up on all of them. “Santa (...)” smiled cheerfully at her.

“No, ma’am,” George mumbled.

“Get to it then.”

John dealt with “Santa (... …)” while George finished up your examination, all the while Janine watched with Sam buzzing next to her.

“Mr…?” Janine prompted as you both were cleared, and you handed over your bag to have the supplies emptied and sorted.

“Claus,” “Santa (...?)” supplied. “Or Kringle if you’d rather. I do prefer Kris.”

You could roll with that. Kris was shameless in the face of Janine’s disapproval, but it’s not like she could make him say otherwise.

“Mr. Kringle,” Janine said, her face twitching, but she maintained her cool demeanor. “I would like to have a private word with you.”

“I usually wouldn’t deny your request,” Kris started, “but I must say I have an urgent matter that I would like to discuss that I do not believe we would have time to get to if I allow you to question me.”

“And what is that?”

“I am incapable of completing my route without my sleigh and my reindeers, and I believe I need the help of your runners to complete my task.”

“You must be joking. Are you suggesting--?”

“Janey--um, Ms. de Luca,” Kris interrupted, correcting upon receiving Janine’s death glare. “I would not joke about such a matter. It is my job to maintain hope in this season, and with the world in such a state, it is ever more critical that Christmas--”

“Mr. Kringle! I do not have tim--”

“Must I prove it then?” Kris said, his gaze sharp.

Janine opened her mouth then closed it after a moment of deliberation. Folding her arms, she shifted her weight onto one leg, hip jutting, and gestured at him to continue. The small crowd had grown larger and nearer, eager to see the outcome of this. You could see Jody pushing her way to the front with Simon just behind.

“I usually depend on the unconditional belief of children and the few older True Believers,” Kris said, glancing at Sam for a moment who saw the look and gasped. “But if I must make you believe to gain your help, so be it. Runner Five, please take this.”

You grasped the sack he handed you. It was light and, looking in, appeared to be empty. Kris rubbed his hands together then reached into the bag, pulling out a wrapped box that was definitely not in there before. Your jaw dropped.

Peering at the name on the little card, Kris called, “Molly Harrison.”

There was a pause before you heard Ed shout out, “No, Molly! Come back!”

The little girl appeared, pushing through the legs of the larger folks around her. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold under her wide eyes that stared up at Kris. She toddled forward, clutching Mr. Rabbit in her arms, just as her father caught up, swinging her up in his arms despite her squirming to get away.

“Ed,” Kris greeted, stepping closer carefully and holding out the box. “I’m sorry about Becca.”

Ed scowled but took the gift, looking around at everyone watching him.

“And what’s this then?”

“Something for Molly and Mr. Rabbit.”

Ed did a double take, scrutinizing Kris before putting his daughter down. When he was sure she wasn’t going to run off, her mood shifting towards bashful as she clutched her father’s trousers, hiding behind them, he unwrapped the box. He pulled out a knitted hat, turning it over before freezing.

“Where did you get this?” Ed breathed tightly.

Sam perked up like you while Janine shifted subtly forward to see what was off. It was a knitted blue cap Molly’s size with a white “M” woven into it.

“She started it early,” Kris said gently. “She needed to keep her hands busy, but she didn’t get to finish Mr. Rabbit’s, so I did the honors.”

“Mr. Harrison,” Janine prompted after Ed stared at Kris for so long.

“Um--it’s Becca’s work,” he said, having to clear his throat a few times. “She made me one just like this a few years ago, with an “E”, you know--for um Ed... and she said she wanted to make one for Molly because it would get cold, and she didn’t want the cold to get Molly anymore than dem zombs.”

He swallowed, looking down at Molly who was toying with his trousers, obliviously gnawing on her stuffed rabbit’s ear. He turned the hat inside out and pointed at the thread.

“Here. You see this knot,” Ed said. “Even though you’re not really supposed to, she always knots the end three times after she weaves the finishing stitch back in just to make sure it won’t come loose… I know this is her work, but I haven’t seen it before.”

The box was tilted enough in his slack grip to show a smaller matching hat with an embroidered “R”.

“Five,” Kris called, keeping a gentle eye on Ed, and you stepped forward. “I usually don’t have gifts for adults, barring a few, but I thought this year needed to be extra special.”

Kris reached into the definitely empty sack and pulled out a smaller box (f-ck that), handing it to Ed who took it after staring at it for a few seconds. He didn’t hesitate to open this one, and he revealed a few compact disc cases, newer looking than anything you’ve seen in a while. You could see race cars on the cover.

“How…” Ed trailed off, and he looked at Kris with a look of growing awe and disbelief. “You can’t be.”

Kris grinned, tapping his nose. A slow smile crossed Ed’s face before he let out an abrupt laugh, shaking his head. You ignored Sam repeatedly slapping your arm, incoherently squealing under his breath.

“I think I’m going crazy,” Ed muttered then added a quiet, “Thank you,” with a small but sincere smile.

“Take care of this special girl,” Kris said.

Kris waved at Molly who waved back shyly, babbling and giggling. Ed packed all the gifts back into the larger box and picked up Molly, balancing everything and stepping back, still staring at Kris.

“A--an intriguing display, Mr. Kringle,” Janine said slowly. “However, I do not bel--”

“Not done yet, dear,” Kris interjected (casually missing her glare this time), reaching in the sack that you helpfully held up, curious to see where this was going.

“What he get you, mate?” you could hear Simon questioning Ed.

“Driving games. I… I told Jack and Eugene I wanted a few,” Ed muttered, pulling the knitted hat on over Molly’s head then one on Mr. Rabbit, much to the tot’s excitement.

“George, for you and Lizzie,” Kris said, tossing the gifts to the hovering guard then reaching in for more.

He started calling out names, and each person came forward, at first with caution and exchanged glances. But as gifts were unwrapped with shocked gasps or excited exclaims, there was less hesitation each time, an eager energy taking over the gathering. Rajit started crying when he unwrapped a professionally printed version of his novel. George stood stunned, clutching the doll Lizzie had been asking for and the old board game they used to play as a family on game nights.

“Okay, okay! Everyone calm down!” Janine yelled, dampening the growing cacophony. “Please move along.”

There were protests, but eventually everyone but the runners and Sam left (though people hovered nearby). Sam had his hood pulled tight over his head, vibrating in place. Janine turned to Kris who was waiting with a satisfied expression. She pinched her nose before looking heavenward.

“I--I cannot believe I am saying this, but um,” Janine managed before sighing. “...what do you need us to do, Mr. Kringle?”

Sam whooped.

---

“All right, Runners! Are you ready to save Christmas?” Sam said through your headset an hour later, his voice giddy.

No one had managed to calm him down since Kris asked if he could sit with him in the comms shack, his leg making him unable to help with the physical journey. You readjusted the red sack you had tossed over your shoulder, identical ones in the hands of the other runners. Kris had pulled more out of his original “dimensionally transcendental or perhaps it contains a transversable Einstein-Rosen wormhole--how do you keep it from collapsing without an infinite source of exotic matter--the implications it has on the modified theory of general relativity blah blah blah” (according to Chris who you ended up tuning out) “Magic Sack of Wonders” (according to Sam).

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Simon said through the comms link.

“Ready, Sam,” confirmed Jody.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Sara sighed, done with everything before it even started.

A cherry “Ready!” from Maggie, “Let’s get this done” from Evan, confusing muttering from Chris’s side of the link, and affirmations from the rest of the runners. You tapped twice, and the siren blared at Sam’s direction.

“Raise the gates!”

---

“So, what’s the plan, Sam?” Sara said minutes later after you and she split up from the other runners who had other settlements as their destinations. “One that won’t have New Canton shooting us down where we stand. Five and I are not exactly on their Nice List. Not after the stunts we pulled.”

Jody and Simon were heading to Brunswick, Maggie and Chris to Red Settlement, Fiona and Charlie to New Skoobs, and Evan and Bonnie were making the long journey to Mullins, planning on taking one of the motorbikes Ed had told them about for part of the journey.

“Um--you each have those tree ornaments S-Santa gave you?” Sam said, voice cracking.

“If you die from overexcitement on us...” Simon jokingly threatened through your headset.

The radio operator giggled manically then cleared his throat, quietly coaching himself to some level of calm under his breath.

“We’ve got them, Sam,” Jody responded.

“Good. Good. So, they, um--they’re magical ornaments, and they uh make people trust you more--am I getting that right, Santa?”

“Magic’s not real,” Chris muttered. “If anything, it would be complex scientific phenomena that we cannot yet explain. If I could ju--”

“Maybe later, Chr--uh Ten. Okay?” Maggie soothed, diverting him from another ramble.

The relief was shared and audible among you all, more than one sigh coming through the link.

“Call me Kris please, Sam,” Kris said before speaking to you all, casually over the wheeze of the radio operator. “They each contain a remnant of what some would call the Spirit of Christmas… or of the Holidays. When you turn them on, they should remind everyone in your vicinity of the holiday season, what it smells like, tastes like, sounds like to them.”

“You can’t be--”

“It’s okay, Chris. You can debate Santa later.”

“People tend to be calmer and more welcoming in response,” Kris continued, ignoring the interruptions. “Just don’t turn them on too soon, or you may find yourself too relaxed to react to threats in your environment, say… the zombies approaching Runner Seven’s projected route from the east. Sam?”

“Right, Sa-Kris,” Sam said, taking a breath before continuing. “Runner Seven, I need you to speed up. You should be able to pass ahead before they intersect you.”

“Got it, Sam,” Evan said. “Come on, girl. Let’s outrun some zombies.”

You heard Bonnie bark once excitedly, and the Head of Runners chuckled. You and Sara were making good time, and you figured you could be there and back before the sun set too much--assuming New Canton actually cooperated and didn’t--you know--mow you down with prejudice. Kris was humming under his breath, and you snickered when you recognized “Run, Rudolph, Run”.

“So… Kris,” Sam said after a few minutes, trying and failing to sound casual. Kris hemmed, and Sam continued, “Do you read all the letters sent to you every year?”

“As many as I can. I get quite a lot,” Kris said. “When I’m working, sometimes, I’ll have an elf read them outloud to me.”

“Really?”

Kris chuckled.

“Nah… I mean, not anymore. It’s not the Dark Ages--the original one anyways. I have an audio program on my computer that can read them to me.”

“Wow… Five, Eight, turn left up ahead. You’re almost to New Canton.”

“Can see it up on the hill,” Sara responded. “Ready on your mark.”

“Good. Wait until you are spotted.”

“Received.”

The old castle grew larger on the horizon, and you and Sara took a less direct route, hoping to get closer, so they could be in vocal range and not just rifle range.

“I’ve seen your letter on Rofflenet,” Kris said.

Sam choked, coughing. You tapped the headset once paused then twice.

“I’m fine, Five,” he assured, voice rough. “What do you mean? I didn’t--I haven’t written a letter in years--I mean--”

“Sam, I have received a letter from you every year since you’ve learned to write, and I’ve read every single one of them,” Kris said gently. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing wrong with being a True Believer. It’s actually remarkable you’ve managed to hold onto your belief in the magic and joy of Christmas all these years.”

“My mum--she would help me write them when I was a kid,” Sam admitted. “And when I was older, she would ask me if I wrote mine yet. I thought I was too old to be writing to Santa, but she said you’d be sad if I stopped. I guess--I just…”

“I’m sorry about your parents, Sam, but I’m certain they’d be proud of you if they were here.”

There was a sharp, wet inhale before the line was cut from the comms shack. You looked at Sara, but she had her eyes forward, scanning the castle looming before you. You could just make out figures on the high walls when an intercom came to life.

“Runners from Abel Township! Stop where you are, or we will shoot to kill!” a soldier’s voice boomed over your heads. “You have some nerve coming this way again!”

“Five,” Sara called, pulling out her ornament and clutching it tightly. “Time to--oh, G-d. I can’t believe I’m about to say this.” She breathed. “Time to turn on our magical ornaments.”

You grinned at the pain in her voice, pulling your ornament until the halves separated. Turning them in opposite directions, you pushed them back together with a click. There was a pause. You held your breath.

The ornament began to light up, and you could hear the crackling of firewood and heady taste of cinnamon and apples coated your tongue. Your mouth started watering, chest panging as you took a deep breath filled with the strong scent of roasted pine cones.

“Do not make me repeat my--what…” the voice faltered. “What is…? Do you smell cookies, Tim? It’s… double chocolate chip and fudge. Just like my Nan’s… I--I haven’t smelled…”

The intercom died, and you could see figures converging before a few split off and disappeared below. The longer you stood there, the warmer your fingers felt, like when you would stretch them out over the flames. You heard a quiet sniff, but Sara was already turning away, a hand subtly brushing over her face. You looked forward again.

The intercom came on again.

“Abel Runners! Approach with your hands in the air! Guards will meet you at the gate! You better have a good reason for being here!”

“--aven’t heard this song since my pa--” another voice said in the background.

The intercom cut off, and you and Sara looked at each other before holding up your hands and walking forward.

---

It went--as well as one could expect. You endured the jeers from the guards that gave way to shock then confusion and elation as you did what had worked at Abel. When you reached into your “empty” bag, rifles aimed at you, you always found your fingers brushing one box more with the name of an individual present. When you handed it over to the suspicious recipient, you got to watch the skepticism melt away as their eyes widened, unbidden smiles breaking through.

Each reaction caused your smile to grow larger, a warm feeling filling you as eyes lit up. You were starting to get really into this, and you could even see Sara bantering with the guards and joining in with the teasing when guards got gifts that, though it was something they wanted, was a bit embarrassing to open up around their fellow colleagues.

“Do you have a central area where we can leave these, Robbie?” Sara asked the guard from the intercom who had a great sense of humor that didn’t come across when he was threatening to shoot… figures. “At this rate, we’ll be here all week.”

“This way,” Robbie said, a small smirk on his face as he dramatically bowed and gestured for you to proceed with him. “The mess hall should work. We just set up a tree some of our runners cut down. The kids are decorating it.”

People stepped aside as you passed by, watching with wariness or confusion as the guards around you joked and regaled you and Sara with some runner shenanigans or New Canton events. When someone drifted into your vicinity, they would pause, faces scrunching up as the magic of the ornaments enveloped them. Some would laugh, beam, look around wildly, or start to tear up. You gained a few followers, New Canton residents just as curious as Abel’s.

By the time you reached the mess hall, the crowd behind you was large. They spread out, filling up the room slowly as you and Sara headed towards the sizable tree surrounded by children who were attaching handmade decorations with the help of adults. You could see popcorn chains, paper ornaments, cotton, and more. It was haphazard but beautiful nonetheless.

The children looked up and backed away as they stared at all the people entering. Their minders pulled them closer when they recognized your Abel gear. You and Sara stood there in front of the tree, trying to decide your plan, ignoring the people muttering behind you. You kneeled down and started laying out gifts one by one, occasionally handing one to a curious child who had wandered over to see what you were doing, the gift always belonging to the person nearest you. However, you recognized a problem quickly, and so did Sara. She stepped back and turned on her transmitter.

“Sam, Kris,” she called. “We cannot pull these out one by one.”

“Turn your bags upside down,” Kris instructed. “Carefully.”

When both you and Sara did so, gifts came tumbling out. The voices around you got louder, people shouting and moving closer with each materialized box. You walked backwards, following the perimeter of the room, children rushing after you to pick up boxes and pile them closer to the tree. That allowed you to loop back.

Soon enough, large piles surrounded the tree even as people passed boxes around. Children were running around with their new toys and clothes, tugging at their parents’ sleeves. People gushed over their hammers, new boots, playing cards, and packets of hot cocoa. You saw more than one person crying over their half opened box, being consoled by someone else, but there was always a watery smile on their face. Laughter filled the room, the grim faces easing under more than the thrall of your ornament which was only a remnant of the Spirit of the Holidays, paling in comparison to the full joy and cheer that went beyond this room, spreading through the settlement.

You had more than one set of small arms wrap around your legs, and without malice or distrust, people greeted, thanked, and joked with you, handing you a cup of hot cider you sipped at carefully when you paused for a break.

You saw Sara examining a new knife a New Canton runner received, showing the younger woman a few moves. Robbie and Tim watched, their rifles abandoned on their backs as they asked questions or threw in some pointers. Someone had started singing some carols, and more and more people joined in, laughing over mis-sang or forgotten lyrics.

Even so, you knew there were more people than gifts you poured out. You tapped on Sara’s shoulder and held up your sack before miming it towards the people around you.

“Five wants to know if they can leave their sack with someone in New Canton,” Sara relayed. “I suspect there are more gifts to give.”

“The magic of the bags and ornaments end at midnight on Christmas night,” Kris said. “No harm leaving it behind.”

You flagged down a runner who had 20 on her armband.

“Hello. Hi. What’s this?” she said as you handed her sack. “Oh, you’re giving me your magic bag of endless presents. How exciting. I am curious to see how this works. It looks very empty, but I watched you pulling out box after box. Let’s see if I can do it too.”

She reached in, face lighting up as she felt something, and she pulled out a box. She squinted at it, turning it around in her hands until she found the card tucked under the bow.

“And it has my name on it! Archie Jensen. That’s brilliant. Can’t wait to see what’s in it. I wished for a lot of things.”

She tried to hand the sack back, but you held up your hands, shaking your head.

“What? You don’t want it back now?”

You shook your head again, and she frowned before realization dawned on her face.

“You have to go now, don’t you?” Archie asked, and she looked sad when you nodded. “Shame. Well… don’t get bitten or blown up or shot or who knows what else. I hope to see you again, Runner Five. Hopefully we won’t be trying to kill each other because our leaders are fighting again--like we aren’t all just trying to survive. Living killing the living while we have dead trying too.”

You held out a hand, but she pushed past it to hug you tight enough that you were certain your ribs shifted a bit.

“Bye, Five. Bye, Sara,” she said, clutching her box and the bag to her chest, beaming.

It was a while before you could really leave as people wanted to personally wish you well and happy holidays. Before you and Sara made your way out, you attached your frosted ornament to their tree and admired its soft glow.

“Let’s go, Five,” Sara said, Robbie waiting by her side.

You nodded, looking back once more before running towards them.

---

You and Sara turned your backs on New Canton, looking out at the setting sun.

“We should be able to make it back before dark if we’re quick, Five,” Sara assured. “We’re heading back out now, Sam.”

“All right. Head home, runners. You did great work today,” Sam said proudly. “Even zombies can’t stop Christmas.”

“Ho, ho, ho,” Kris chimed in. “Well said, Sam.”

Sara’s sack was also gone, but she still clutched her ornament for comfort or assurance--who knew. Your fingers still felt comfortably warm, and you could always catch a faint wisp of fresh pudding.

“Me and Four are finishing up here,” Simon reported, shouting over the sound of children laughing and people singing in his background. “We’ll leave once Jody digs herself out from under a pile of imps.”

The squeals pitched before he cut his transmission. Evan reported that he was nearing Mullins Base and would be staying overnight while Maggie and Chris were still at Red Settlement. Charlie and Fiona had just reached New Skoobs themselves, and they said they were probably staying there as well.

“So, Santa,” Simon spoke up when you and Sara were halfway back to Abel. “Got any presents waiting for us back at Abel? Us Runners must be on the top of your Nice List.”

“You, Simon Lauchlan, have been on my Naughty List since the day you released three pigs in your school when you were fifteen,” Kris said drily.

The comms link was flooded with laughter and jeers.

“Yeah, yeah,” Simon said, a smirk clear in his voice. “The ladies find it nice when I’m a little naughty.”

Your groan wasn’t alone. Charlie even booed.

“Did you really release pigs in your school, Three?” Sam asked.

“Yeah. It was a prank me and my mates pulled. We painted three pigs with 1, 2, and 4 and let them loose. It took them all day to catch them, but they spent a week looking for a fourth pig. It was worth getting my ears boxed by my mum when we got caught. Best prank I ever pulled. Still proud of it.”

“Of course you are,” Jody said, sounding out of breath.

There was a child screaming right by her microphone, causing you to wince.

“You alright there, Four?” Sam asked.

“Just finishing things up,” she said. “Be on our way back now, Sam.”

“Good. Goo--”

“Sam. Will you take a look at this?” Kris interjected.

“Let me see… oh. Uh oh. That’s--that’s not--Five, Eight. I don’t mean to alarm you, but well… about twenty zombies are converging on your location. I don’t understand--they’re coming from different directions. What is attracting them?”

You smiled at Sara, certain that Sam will figure it all out because he was really smart. Sara had a serene expression, and she winked at you. You giggled.

“...are you laughing, Five? Your laugh is lovely, but this is not the time to laugh. More are approaching. You and Eight need to speed up.”

You covered your mouth, but more chuckles escaped. Still, you did pick up the pace with Sara matching you. You could hear the whistling groans growing closer, but you focused on your warm fingers and roasted pine cones and warm pudding.

“They’re surrounding you two! There’s almost forty now,” Sam sounded more stressed than you thought was warranted. “What is happening?! Okay, okay. No need to panic. Five, Eight, you have a small window. Keep going the direction you’re heading, but you have to pick up the pace, or else they’ll cut you off.”

“Don’t worry, Sam,” Sara said warmly. “Five and I will be fine.”

You saw the zombies shambling out from behind buildings and trees, coming from all directions. There were a few in front of you, but you gave them a wide berth. The sound of their moans was thunderous.

“I would have to disagree… why do you sound so calm?” Sam asked as you ducked under a zombie’s arm.

“Sara, Five,” Kris called. “Did you turn off your ornaments?”

“Five left theirs at New Canton, but I still have mine. I didn’t want to risk those guards shooting us in the back, so I kept it on. Plus… it smells like sweet potato pie. It was my boys’ favorite.”

You wiggled your warm fingers.

“Do you think that’s what’s attracting the zombs, and why Eight and Five aren’t taking this seriously?” Sam asked.

“It’s definitely what’s keeping them so calm--too calm,” Kris said, “but I wasn’t aware of it having any effect on the undead.”

“Umm… I have a theory,” Chris piped up over the link. “You said the ornaments trigger sensory cues that people associate with festivity and the holidays. Could it be possible that they can tap into residual brain activity? Though the brains have mostly decayed, the zombies may still be drawn towards the source of the stimuli.”

“It’s… possible,” Kris granted. “Never had the chance to test it. It sounds reasonable.”

“Eight, turn off your ornament,” Sam ordered.

Sara hesitated but did so, and your fingers cooled, the scent of pudding giving way to rotting flesh. You jumped back as a zombie swung at you. You managed to stay on your feet and skirt around it.

“Sam!” Sara yelled. “We need an out. Now!”

“Just run!”

You could practically feel fingers brushing your back, and you swang your bat at a zombie reaching for you as Sara impaled one through the eye with her knife, a squelch following a wet smack.

“Ooh…” Sam cringed before crowing, “That’s what I call teamwork! Keep going though. You can’t fight them all.”

“Five?” Sara called. “Do you hear that?”

Through the moans and groans, you heard familiar bells and clopping. A great pair of antlers butted a zombie to the side, the reindeer shaking its head with a grunt. It scrapped its hoof on the ground, looking at you and Sara as you ran by it. You weaved and jumped through zombies, seeing your narrow path of escape closing by the second. You heard another squelch, and you had to behead your own zomb soon after.

“Hear what?” Sam asked anxiously.

“Just a bl--dy reindeer, Sam,” Sara panted, a painful sounding cough working its way out.

“Five, whistle at it,” Kris commanded. “Loud and clear.”

You did so, and you heard hooves clattering over pavement behind you. You glanced back to see the reindeer charging towards you, mowing down any zombies in its path. You suddenly heard more bells and hooves approaching, and a second reindeer then a third appeared, rounding the corner and running straight towards you and Sara.

“Five,” Kris started, but you already had a hand out as the antlers came up beside you. “Grab on.”

You did and swang yourself up on the reindeer’s back, grabbing at the torn reins from which hung the golden bells that rang so sharply amongst the moans. You wrapped your hands in them, bending low and bracing your legs, feeling the creature’s solid muscles moving under your thighs.

“You must be joking,” Sara coughed, but she ran towards one of the other reindeer despite her protests.

“Come on, Eight. How many people get to say they rode Santa’s reindeer?”

She didn’t bother dignifying that with a response and managed to clamber up on her chosen mount. Your reindeer lowered its head and whipped a zombie out of its way. You cheered, giggling wildly. Moving faster than you ever could on your feet, the reindeer carrying you and Sara burst free just before the zombies closed in, and you left them in your dust, their moans fading in the distance as the sun set.

---

By the time you saw Abel, the sun was nearly gone, and you had collected six more reindeer and four more runners. All of the reindeer ran behind you in pairs with you on the one leading in the front. Simon finally stopped clutching at his reindeer like it was going to throw him while Jody rode like a natural. Maggie looked less shaky and was keeping an eye on Chris who looked green around the edges.

You patted the head of the reindeer you rode. Though it was panting, your reindeer kept going, quick as a comet which you realized was its name from the loose tag on the back of its neck. Good boy.

“That’s what I call riding in style, run--no, riders,” Sam said. “Raise the gates! First wave of Santa’s elves are back for the night.”

The reindeer balked but did not flee from the sirens, and you coaxed them though the gates, swinging down once Comet settled. You stroked his head, grinning. You felt very sore from riding bareback, but it was better than being eaten, so you couldn’t complain. You saw Maggie helping Chris down, steadying the runner as he swayed, rubbing his back soothingly.

“You did good work, runners,” Kris said. “Sleep easy knowing you brought much joy in a time that very much needed it.”

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m knackered,” Sam yawned.

You groaned as the others jeered. The late shift guards approached, eyeing the reindeer cautiously. You submitted yourself to your bite check.

“Being an operator is hard work too,” Sam protested, his grin audible. “Sleep well, runners. You did great.”

“Thanks, Sam,” Jody said as he signed off.

“What do you think they’re going to do with the big guy?” Simon asked.

“Hey, Five,” Sara called, stealing your attention as she tossed you her ornament. “Give this back to Kris or hang it on the tree for me. I don’t care. I’m gonna check in with Janine.”

You nodded, eyeing the ornament as she left, but besides its one unfortunate side effect, it was still pretty neat (and magic).

“What do we do with the reindeer?” one of the guards, Joe, asked quietly, but you were already walking away, your feet dragging.

You vaguely remember turning on and hooking the ornament on the tree in Abel’s square, your fingers warming and smelling pudding and pine cones, before you fell face first into your cot and passed out.

---

Abel was a different place when you woke up Christmas morning. The first sign was the candy cane hanging outside of your room when you stepped out in your gloves and scarf. Curious, you pulled it down, and you looked, seeing more hanging on the doors of other runners. Shrugging, you stuffed it in your pocket.

You exited the runners’ quarters and stilled, eyes widening. Paper snowflakes hung from fairy lights and tinsel that were wrapped around the comms shack nearby. You realized that it wasn’t the only building that was decorated while you slept. So were the runners’ quarters and all the buildings you could see as well. Soft holiday music drifted in the air, emitting from the intercoms.

As you wandered towards the square, you could hear activity, the sound of shrieking, laughter, and talking growing louder. You saw people admiring the tree, and you could see why. First off, it was not that tall or green last night, and it was gorgeously decorated with tinsel, lights, popcorn, and ornaments, some handmade and others well crafted. There were also some gifts piled under it, but not as many as you would expect for how many people resided in Abel.

Yet, people buzzed with excitement, the situation becoming clearer as you drifted through towards the kitchen.

“--found it right outside my room. I haven’t seen a complete deck since the outbreak. They were worth an arm and a leg before.”

“They’re so warm, and they are just my size too!”

“It will make my job so much easier. My old one was growing really dull, and it j--”

“Runner Five!”

You turned to see Jack jogging towards you, Eugene trailing behind him with his crutches.

“Glad we caught you,” Jack said, beaming. “We heard you had a real adventure yesterday, and we thought perhaps you might want to talk about it.”

“Hello, Five,” Eugene greeted much calmer, eyeing his partner with fond exasperation. “Sleep well?”

You nodded, grinning as Jack rolled his eyes at this clear waste of time.

“Me and Gene want to interview you. Nothing like a grand tale of zombie grinches and Christmas miracles to bring hope to the people,” Jack continued. “Just let u…”

You didn’t have time to wonder why the radio host trailed off, eyes widening, when you felt a puff of air brush your neck. Wet lips nibbled at your hair, and you turned. Comet grunted at you, nosing your clothes. You stood still, unsure what to do.

“He’s looking for sugar,” Kris said, coming up behind his reindeer and stroking Comet’s side fondly. “You don’t happen to have a sugar cube or candy on you, do you?”

You frowned before perking up, reaching in your pocket and pulling out the candy cane. Comet reached for it, but you held it back, looking at Kris.

“He can have one,” Kris said. “More than that, and he’ll upset his stomach--again.”

The reindeer grunted. You unwrapped the cane and held it out, smiling as Comet gobbled it up, petting his neck.

“I wish I had a camera,” Eugene muttered behind you.

There was a flash, and you blinked your eyes clear to see Charlie grinning.

“Guess who got a camera for Christmas!”

“Ooh! Take a picture of me and Genie,” Jack crowed.

He posed with Eugene who shifted his crutches to the side to wrap his arm around Jack’s waist, smiling. Charlie took multiple pictures, and before the last one, Eugene pressed a kiss to Jack’s cheek, setting the other man’s face ablaze in time for the flash.

“Eugene!”

Eugene swung his way to peer over Charlie’s shoulder as she shook out the little pictures the camera emitted. He cackled as he got a good look at the developing photo, Charlie laughing with him.

“I’ll be keeping that,” Eugene said, taking the photo with a grin when it was done. “Get a tan, Jack. You go from ghost to tomato in seconds.”

The reindeer butted you, checking you for more treats, but you just stroked Comet’s head, nosing him back.

“He’s taken a liking to you,” Kris commented. “He’s usually much more temperamental.”

You wiggled your nose at Comet who snorted in your face, his breath warm and rank. You gagged, and Kris chuckled deeply. You looked at him, taking the time to study him and his new appearance. He had changed into overalls and flannel, looking at ease despite the cold weather. He saw you looking.

“I didn’t bring a spare suit,” Kris protested, and you held up your hands in surrender, grinning as he laughed more. “The good doctor took care of my leg as well. Now, will you show me the way to the kitchen? I’m feeling peckish.”

Your stomach growled on cue, and you nodded, weaving your way through the people, many of which moved aside, watching the mythical man trialing after you with a reindeer. You ignored it, listening as Kris told you a little bit about his travels before the apocalypse.

“I was always fond of Egypt. Their kahks are delicious.”

“Five! Over her--Oh, Kris! Hi!”

Kris chuckled as Sam waved wildly, beaming out from under the great red hat that was perched on his head, slipping over his brow. Maxine had to push it back up before it fell off his face, and he shot her a grateful smile.

“He deserved it,” Kris explained at your glance. “Santa’s True Believer. He doesn’t know it yet, but that hat will bring him much fortune if he manages to hold onto it.”

Simon, Jody, Maggie, and Chris were at the table as well, and you saw Fiona at another. She and Charlie must have gotten in earlier.

Chris didn’t even look up from the red sack he was examining in his lap, but Maggie smiled from beside him, waving and moving over to let Kris in after you approached with your trays, and you squeezed in next to Sam, brushing shoulders with him. Comet lingered by the table, people skirting around him though they watched him with curiosity.

You tapped your nose three times, pointing at the hat, and Sam stuck out his tongue.

“I think I rock it, right, Maxine?”

“It’s definitely--something,” Maxine dodged, smiling at you. “Morning, Five. How are you feeling?”

You see-sawed your hand, and she hummed sympathetically, her head bobbing.

“If you need anything, come see me later.”

You nodded, rubbing your sore legs.

“Coming to the party later?” Simon asked.

“Janine cleared it?” Jody asked with a frown.

“Nope,” he snorted. “Coming?”

“I’ll probably stop by.”

“That’s the one Jack and Eugene were planning, right?” Sam asked, stealing a banger off your tray, smiling innocently with it shoved in his mouth.

Disgusting.

“Yup. They said they’ve got the good booze,” Simon tempted.

“Whiskey, and I’m in,” Maggie said.

“I’m sure I could scour up some, Maggie,” Kris said with a mischievous smile.

She quirked a brow, and when he grinned, she laughed.

“Good luck getting your sack back from Chris. I just barely managed to stop him from unravelling it.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Chris mumbled to himself, running his fingers over it.

“It’s all right, Chris,” Maggie said, patting his shoulder. “It’s magic.”

“It’s advanced technology.”

“Okay.”

“Sam Yao, please report to the comms shack,” Janine said over the intercom, drawing people’s attention as it briefly interrupted the ambient music.

Sam sighed but pushed himself up.

“I have to get Evan back to Abel. I’ll see you at the party later, right, Five?”

You nodded, and he grinned, taking his empty tray with him. You fed Comet some boiled carrots and beans, his lips running over your palm for every scrap.

“I have to go too,” Maxine announced. “I want to organize my supplies before tonight. I plan on getting completely wasted. Don’t get any fatal injuries between today and tomorrow because I won’t be any help.”

You snickered.

“What did you get, Five?” Jody asked once Maxine left. “I got new knitting needles and some really good yarn.”

Your brows furrowed, wondering if you had perhaps overlooked your own box.

“Oh, I have not yet given Five their gift, Jody,” Kris said, smiling at you. “I wanted to deliver it personally since they did save my life yesterday.”

“Bet it won’t top my new football,” Simon challenged before you could respond.

You bared a sharp smile at Simon as Jody elbowed him. He protested, rubbing his arm, overacting the severity of the pain.

“I made an exception this year, Simon, but you are still on my Naughty List. Remember that.”

“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, Santa.”

---

At the party later that Janine totally did not know about (she was in the corner sharing a drink with Sara who was holding a plate of sweet potato pie), you sat comfortably in the rec building with the quickly knitted elf hat that Jody threw at you (before she started on another, having already completed one for Simon, Maggie, and Chris) on your head.

Sam was coming back over from the buffet table, balancing cups filled to the brim with various drinks. He still wore his Santa hat with pride despite how much ribbing he was subjected to. Maxine gratefully accepted her cup, following through with her plan to get utterly sloshed tonight.

“Runner Five. If I may steal you for a moment.”

You looked up at Kris, who waved away another child, and stood, following him to a corner, avoiding Jack and Eugene who found and were making good use of some mistletoe. You looked at Kris who was reaching in his pocket. He pulled out a small wrapped box. You took it curiously.

“Be assured, Five, your friends have met all your desires, hiding their gifts for you away by the tree,” Kris said. “You have been a good friend to them, and they wish to show you their gratefulness. All the practical matters have been left to them. I have something a little more… metaphysical that I believe you have deserved. Open it.”

You used your nail to tear and peel back the wrapping, prying open the lid. Inside was a familiar golden bell, one of the many you saw sewn onto Comet’s reins. You picked it up, shaking the bell to hear its sharp jangle.

“Five, if you should ever be in great need of something, hold the thought of it in your mind and ring this bell,” Kris said, catching your eyes gravely. “It will only work once, so I trust that you will use it wisely.”

You clutched the bell tightly in your hand, giving a determined nod, trusting his word. The bell slowly warmed in the heat of your palm. You would be careful with it.

“Stay alive, Five, and take care of you and your friends,” Kris said. “They’re counting on you, and I know you are up to the challenge. Happy Christmas.”

Kris pressed a finger to his nose and winked before fading before your eyes.

You blinked, staring at the wall confused. What were you doing in the corner by yourself? Weren’t you just… You turned and walked back to your friends, shaking your head.

“Nice hat, Sam,” Simon teased. “Did Five get that for you?”

“I… I’m not sure,” Sam said, clutching the red hat in his hands, frowning, but he shrugged, putting it back on. “I rock it though, right, Maxine?”

“It’s definitely--something,” Maxine slurred intoher cup.

“Five!” Sam called. “Where did you wander off to?”

You felt like you were missing something, but you couldn’t grab hold of it. You just shrugged, sitting next to him and accepting your cup with your free hand.

“Whatchu got there, Five?” Maggie asked.

You frowned, and she gestured at your other hand curled around something. You peeled back your fingers, revealing a golden bell that glistened brightly in the light.

“Where’d you find that?” Sam asked, peering at it, his hat’s bobble flopping in his face.

You… you weren’t sure, but you felt it was important. You shrugged and pocketed it, reaching out to tug Sam’s hat down over his face. He sputtered, spilling his drink a bit, and everyone laughed, falling over themselves in joyful (and drunken) abandon if only for tonight. Your chest was bursting with happiness, and you couldn’t wipe the grin off your face all night, pressing your cheek to Sam’s when Charlie called for you all to pose.

Her camera clicked and flashed, letting out a pop. Your face ached from smiling.

---

‘Twas the night after Christmas, and all the through the township

Not a corner was sans gayful laughter and friendship

Children shrieked as their parents smiled on

Friends teasing and jeering and bursting in song

Huddled with his runners laid a young operator

No longer a child yet still a True Believer

And at his side was faithful Runner Five

A willful spirit who will fight for Abel to thrive

There is much they will face, but for now they cheer

Knowing that, in this moment, they had nothing to fear

And though midnight passed, and magic faded from their minds

On the tree in the square, an ornament hung and still shined

[yes-i-am-happyaspie]

Because it's almost Christmas, here are my top ten favorite Irondad and Spiderson Holiday Fics! [In no particular order] [Plus some shameless self promotion] 🎄

1. new york's santa by @hailing-stars

“Are you Santa?”

Tony rolled his eyes. “You really think I have the time to be a glorified cosplayer?”

“I didn’t even think you knew what a cosplayer was…” said Peter, trailing off. He shook his head, refusing to let his mind wander from the topic. “Where do you keep the reindeer? Can I meet them?”

OR

New York City has it's own Santa, and Peter discovers it's Tony Stark, because of course it is.

2. Christmas Tree Fiasco by @graceknowsirondad

December/10/2020

2020 is a good time to go all out with the Christmas decorations. Peter's stuck in quarantine and in his holiday spirit, a well intended decorating plan lands him stuck in the Christmas tree longer than typically advised.

OR: Peter gets himself stuck in the Christmas Tree for 24 hours and Tony is not happy. It's a good thing he loves this kid.

3. There is No Where Else You Should Be This Christmas  by HappyJuicyfruit

After May unexpectedly passes away, Tony thinks he’s doing a pretty good job of looking after Peter.

That is, until he forgets to include Peter in on holiday plans.

4. simply having a wonderful christmas time [Series] by @frostysunflowers and @hailing-stars

12 wonderful holiday themes fics all one place!

5. I’ll be Sick for Christmas by @obsessionoftheday (TheDisneyOutsider)

“I don’t care what sort of text he may have sent you, he is in no shape to be going out into the cold tonight!”

“Jeez, May, we’ve been co-parenting for months now, do you really think I would go against you on this?”

“No, and by your choice of outfit it doesn’t look like you’re ready for a fancy Christmas Eve dinner either.”

“Didn’t you hear? Christmas Eve got changed to a pajama party!”

6. Petey-Pie's Christmas [Series] by findmeinthestars

Everything related to Peter Parker's Christmas with a side of Irondad and/or Avengers family!

7. Christmas Pranks by @skeeter-110

Both Steve and Tony, after seeing a video on social media, decided to prank their three-year-old with fake Christmas gifts. A bunch of fluffiness ensues.

8. We wish you a merry Christmas (sensory-friendly edition) by @marvelousbutterfly

"Okay, now we're finally done with the presents!" May announced cheerfully, "How did it go here, guys?"

"We assembled the tree, put up the fairy lights and decorated it!!" Peter said excitedly, smiling proudly at his creation, "Except for some other ornaments, and the star, of course" he added quickly, "we're doing it together, it's still tradition!"

With that, May finally looked at the tree, and her smile fell to an uncertain one as she wondered if she should reach out her hands to hold the tree upright.

"Wow" she exclaimed, quickly fixing her expression, "It looks great, you guys!"

or

how Christmas traditions can still be autism-friendly! Lots and lots of domestic fluff!

9. Peter Parker's Pickle Predicament by dontmockmyawkwardness

Peter Parker takes it upon himself to bring Christmas cheer to New York City this year. It's all fun and games until he finds himself in a sticky situation in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza. Can an old man in a red suit fly in and help save Christmas?

10. Tony Stink, Stank, Stunk by violetvaria

Tony was mindlessly coiling Peter’s curls around his fingers, their second episode of Star Trek playing unheeded, when the kid spoke up.

“Misser Stark?”

Tony grinned at the slightly slurred words. He’d figured the teen was almost asleep; he was actually surprised he sounded as coherent as he did.

“Mm-hm?” he hummed back, hand still smoothing through the soft brown hair.

“You’re—” Peter was interrupted by a cavernous yawn. “You’re mean.”

~~~

a continuation of spooderboyandtincan's "tonystank and bananaboy," featuring soft Irondad and lots of cuddles and fluff

And Just because... here are a few holiday fics I've written over the last few years!

1. Peter Parker's December Shenanigans

A collection of related short stories that center around Winter/Christmas

Everything from Advent to New Year's Eve.

2. Secret Sugarplum Spiderling

Peter has been taking ballet for nearly as long as he can remember and all of his hard work has finally paid off. He's been cast as the Cavelier to the Sugarplum Fairy in his Performing Arts School's production of The Nutcracker. It's a big deal and it's going to take up a good bit of time but... he's just not sure he's ready for his mentor to know about that particular hobby just yet.

🎄🩰❄️He's sure it'll be fine ... ❄️🩰🎄

All he has to do is show up at the studio on time, keep his grades up, make sure to see Tony on a regular enough basis that he doesn't worry and try to squeeze in some patrolling in between. It's that simple. Right?

3. Holiday Traditions

When a brief misunderstanding leaves Morgan thinking that Peter doesn’t like Christmas, Peter decides that it would be fun to teach her more about Hanukkah. In order to do so, he and May invite the Starks' to share in some of their holiday traditions.

4. Well, Merry Sickmas, I Guess

Peter is sick, Christmas is right around the corner and May had no idea how to help him. Naturally they end up in Tony’s medbay. It doesn’t take long for Peter to be diagnosed with nothing more than some mild dehydration and a nasty stomach bug. However, knowing she can’t take Peter to just any hospital should things go downhill, leaves May feeling a little nervous.

…And that’s how Peter and May end up spending the holiday with Tony Stark in his Penthouse apartment.

[12/14] Now featuring a short and completely unplanned Bruce Banner centric chapter 2!

5. Distracted by a Dime (while not strictly written to be a Christmas fic, it eventually turned into one.)

Peter Parker thinks he has everything figured out. Where he can eat, sleep and make a little bit of money. What he needs to do in order to continue attending Midtown High and being Queen’s friendly neighborhood Spider-man. How to keep his entire situation under wraps and most importantly, who he can trust.

Then, along comes Tony Stark with an offer he can’t refuse. The plan is to remain professional, to not get too close to the Stark-Rogers’ family. Not getting comfortable means not slipping up and saying anything that he can’t take back.

...but for Peter- things rarely go as planned...

[genericmuses]

@mysticalties​ said: “If your decorations look classy and like you knew what you were doing when you put them on the tree it’s not festive enough for me. I want 4 different colours of tinsel, every bauble I can find and that weird ornament that looks like a pickle with a violin we saw in target.” cacey @ ben

CUTESY MEMES: CHRISTMAS/WINTER THEMED 🎄🎅🏼

“Hey I love a violin pickle as much as the next guy but what about that holographic reindeer with rave glasses though?” he suggested, tapping his finger on the table, clearly he was very excited, “I agree though, if Christmas isn’t like.. way too much it’s not enough. You should see my apartment it’s a complete mess. I love it.”

[lovemesomesurveys]

though it’s been said many times, many ways, merry christmas to you.

1. Do you do anything in particular to celebrate the winter solstice? No.

2. Name a reason why Santa might go on strike? The reindeer? The elves? Hmm. I don’t know, I’m stealing Elisabeth’s answer, which was that he wasn’t getting enough cookies haha. The reindeer perhaps would because they were feeling tired and overworked. The elves might feel overworked as well.

3. If Santa’s sleigh needed some form of gasoline, what would you consider to be the Christmas-themed equivalent? What would his sleigh run on? Hot cocoa of course.

4. Do you think that there are more nice children or naughty children in this world, and why do you think that is? I’ll say nice. 

5. Who is the most difficult person to buy a gift for, and why do you think that is? I don’t usually have a hard time buying gifts for my family, but as my brother gets older it has started to get a little harder. 

6. Do you refer to them as “gifts” or “presents”? “Packages” or “parcels”? Gifts and presents.

7. Have you ever used one of those computerized apps that shows Santa leaving the presents for kids? No.

8. Do you turn on your “musical fireplace” on your television set when having guests over for the holidays? No. We usually just watched a movie.

9. How do you think that Santa is able to make it to every house in the entire world, all in one night? According to The Santa Clause, there’s some sort of time continuum or something. 

10. Why might Santa be so jolly all the time? Maybe he’s not so jolly all the time? 

11. How old do you think that Santa is? Centuries old.

12. Do you know anyone who hangs a pickle Christmas ornament in their tree? No.

13. Have you or someone you know ever run a holiday-themed marathon/5K? Not that I know of.

14. What is one present that was always on your Christmas list year after year that you never actually received?   Hm. I don’t recall. 

15. Has there ever been a year where you just weren’t in the holiday spirit? Why was this? Not completely, but it’s definitely been lacking these past few years. :(

16. Do you have any Santa figurines from other countries? If so, which ones? Do you have a seasonal set of nesting dolls at all? No.

17. Do your dogs get cold easily and need a sweater if they go outside during the wintertime? What about little booties for their paws? No, it doesn’t get that cold here.

18. Have you ever knit or crocheted your own winter clothing before? (ie: sweater, hat, scarf…) If so, what does it look like? Do you knit or crochet for others? No, I don’t know how to knit or crochet. I wouldn’t have the patience or motivation, honestly. I’m probably too uncoordinated, too.

19. Have you ever made a Christmas seasonal cross-stitching pattern before? If so, post a picture of it here. --

20. What is one uncommon/special holiday tradition that you and your family have, compared to others who live in your same area/region?   Hm. I don’t think we do anything unusual or uncommon.

21. Are you a YouTuber? If so, do you participate in Vlogmas? Would you consider creating a YouTube and participating? Why or why not? Nooo. That is definitely not something I would be interested in doing. Not to mention, it would be incredibly boring. I don’t do anything.

(made by: tickle-my-pickle)

[misograce]

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Also on AO3

“Remind me again, why do we need all these Christmas decorations? We’re not even Christian!” Jiang Cheng groaned as he and Wei Ying carried in the last of the bags from their trip into town.

“Because,” his brother said cheerfully, “you don’t have to be Christian to appreciate the Christmas spirit! I can get behind a holiday celebrating love and family and giving to others, wether it’s religious or not”

Jiang Cheng snorted at that. “Yeah right, you just want to get drunk on as much Glühwein as possible and to kiss Lan Zhan underneath the mistletoe.”

“A-Cheng, don’t be such a grinch”

“If you don’t shut up, I’m going to strangle you with the fairy lights, how’s that for Christmas spirit?”

A few hours later they sat on the floor, a light up Santa hat perched atop Wei Ying’s head, in the middle of a veritable explosion of Christmas ornaments, none of them put up yet, bickering, and it was this picture their house mates came home to.

“Why, pray tell, does our living room look like Buddy the elf threw up in it?” Nie Huaisang asked.

“Well, you see, it’s like this: Jiang Cheng and I can’t quite agree on the Christmas decorations. He wants to follow a certain colour scheme and I just want everything to be as colourful as possible.” Wei Ying said.

“Wei Ying, please,” Huaisang said gravely, “it looks like you robbed the novelty of a Christmas shop. There’s, oh, Christmas spiders, Christmas pickles and....are those sexy Santas??? As the resident meme lord I can tolerate a lot, but those offend my artist’s sensibilities.”

Wei Ying pouted.

“Lan Zhaaan,” he whined, “do you at least like my decorations?”

“......Mn”

“No,” Jiang Cheng interrupted, “you like that they make him happy, not the decorations themselves. Which makes you a great boyfriend but please consider this: we have to look at these,,,monstrosities day in, day out for like a month.”

Lan Zhan just glared at the other, Jiang Cheng glaring right back.

“Look, I don’t want to interrupt your very manly pissing contest,” Huaisang said, “but can we please focus back at the problem at hand?”

“Your brother isn’t entirely wrong, sweetheart.” Lan Zhan reluctantly admitted. “Maybe you could compromise? Some of your less,,,,,unique decorations and some of his?” he suggested, nudging his boyfriend gently.

But Wei Ying refused to budge and so they sat, staring at his glaringly ugly decorations with varying degrees of despair.

“You know,” Lan Zhan interrupted the silence, “I think Brother left some Christmas decorations with all the stuff he gave me when he moved recently. Would that be ok for you, Wei Ying?”

“I guess so.”

Wait, wait, wait, hold on a second. You’re ok with his brother’s decorations but not your own brother’s? And you!”, Jiang Cheng said and pointed at Lan Zhan, “why are you only asking for his approval? Me and Huaisang live here too!”

“It’s the principle of the matter A-Cheng, don’t be cross.” Wei Ying said. “And he doesn’t need to ask you, we all know Huan-ge has fantastic taste. Besides, you and Huaisang, traitors that you are, are gonna like anything that’s not my decor.” he pouted.

Jiang Cheng made to strangle his brother with nearby wrapping ribbon but ultimately had to concede that Wei Ying was right. And so they got the decorations and set to putting them up. At Wei Ying insistence they also put on some Christmas songs and it only took three “no Wei Ying, you are not allowed to add ‘Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer’”s before they settled on a music selection everyone was happy with.

Huaisang procures some mince pies and hot chocolate for everyone and they all set to work. They strung up strings upon strings of fairy lights all around the living room and the kitchen and set up a small Christmas tree with Lan Huan’s very tasteful ornaments. Wei Ying produced a spring of mistletoe that Jiang Chang didn’t even see him buy and promptly proceeded to very thoroughly snog Lan Zhan underneath it until his ears glowed bright red enough to rival Rudolph’s nose.

Once they were done even Jiang Cheng could admit that it looked pretty nice actually.

Wei Ying laughed at his brother’s admission and ruffled his hair.

“Well make a Who out of you yet, Mr. Grinch!”

[hellowallflowerfriend]

For it is in giving that we receive. -- Saint Francis of Assisi

During our last yoga teacher training, we talked a little bit about Christmas traditions. It made me think about my family and the things we have done to honor this special holiday which is so important to so many. 

At the end of our weekend training, we shared our different holiday traditions with each other. We sat criss-cross in a circle and told each other the things which make this day so special to us.

I remember a few memories with so much fondness. Kelsey, my twin sister, usually woke up before my younger sister, (Keaton,) and myself. She would climb into my mom’s bed and wait until my mom said it was time to wake up. One morning, Kelsey heard something -- who knows what -- maybe a plane flying overhead. My mom told her that it was the sound Rudolph’s nose makes, and that was more than enough to help Kelsey quiet down. As an adult, I think this is so sweet and precious, that my mother helped my twin sister ignite her imagination: “That is the sound Rudolph’s nose makes!” I imagine my mom whispering it, covers warm and safe, Kelsey lying next to her, just a little girl and full of wonder and hope.

The day after Thanksgiving, we always put the tree up. Some of my favorite ornaments included my mom’s antique ornaments, so fragile and light. I have always been afraid to touch her antique ornaments. They were so breakable, so beautiful, and so full of history. Some of the ornaments were even passed down from my great-grandmother!

We also put up a few ornaments my mom made as a little girl -- including a, “snow globe,” which was made inside one of those plastic containers which toys came inside of out of those quarter machines. There is a little tiny snowman and tiny, “snowflakes,” in it. I have spent several hours perhaps looking at this ornament, imagining my mom as a little girl, with her small hands and hopeful smile, creating a miniscule Christmas scene.

There is a sparkly, beautiful angel that I gave my little sister, made out of a clothespin, which I remember spending money on (from my Mom, of course,) at a school function. I love this ornament because of how happy it made Keaton when I gave it to her.

My mom also used to put skiing tickets on our tree. These are from when my mom and my dad were married. I remember watching her face, the sadness and loss that she seemed to try to hide as she placed these tickets on the tree. They are some of my favorite ornaments because they tell a story of love and recovery.

My great grandma was also quite a master at crocheting. She made some ornaments, the, “God’s eye,” ornament, as well as a miniature basket full of yarn which she crocheted. I love the family history that hangs on evergreen branches each year.

My mom created a tradition with us on Christmas Eve which is in some ways non-traditional. We went to Mass at the Catholic Church, and then we came home to eat appetizers for dinner. We ate summer sausage, cheddar cheese, crackers, midget pickles, and mozzarella sticks. We baked cookies for Santa and set out carrots for the reindeer. We even sprinkled the lawn with reindeer food. Afterward, we were allowed to unwrap one present, and we always pretended to not know what was inside. But, every year, my mom neatly wrapped matching pajamas for us Wylie sisters. We almost always took a picture in our pajamas together in front of the tree.

The next morning, we would wake up -- Kelsey first, then Keaton, then me. (I have always been a sleepy head!) We weren’t allowed to go downstairs until my mom played Christmas music. Then, we would run downstairs, and yell excitedly about what Santa brought.

The carrot always had a big bite out of it. The cookies were always left in crumbles. The milk glass was empty. My mom even admitted to going outside to pick up the reindeer, “food,” we put out, (straw and sparkles,) so that we would continue to believe in Santa.

Christmas morning, the first thing I would do is kneel by the tree and pray. I thanked God for giving us Jesus as I sat by the sparkly tree. (How many times had we played, “I Spy,” looking at that tree before?) I bowed my head and thanked God that He gave my family someone who loves us so much.

My mom and dad would sit by the fireplace and watch us unwrap our generous gifts. My dad had a way of laughing, almost sounding like Santa himself, that sounded something like, “Oh-Ho-Ho!” His eyes would sparkle as he watched our happiness unfold on Christmas morning.

As I grew older, I started to question things. I had always been such a believer, but I started to wonder how Santa could be anyone but my mom. Heck, even the labeling on the presents looked like they were in her handwriting, just shakier. My wish-lists to Santa began to mostly be letters of gratitude. In my letters to Santa, I told Kris Kringle how grateful I was for everything he did for us and how much I loved him, suspecting all along that it was my mother.

After my parents’ separation, it was all girls for the first time: it was me, my twin sister Kelsey, and my younger sister Keaton. We also had Molly (our dog,) there with us. My mom had already started a tradition that we could not go downstairs until we heard Christmas music resounding downstairs. Upon hearing those beautiful notes, we would run down the stairs and first look in our stockings. I usually trailed behind, looking deeply at my mother and knowing that she was probably Santa, knowing from our shared nights together the tears which it took to leave my father.

My mom let us eat a cookie and some Christmas candy for breakfast, and she usually prepared Stratta (one of the last vestiges of our German heritage, an egg casserole with cheese, sausage, and onions.) We opened our presents one-by-one, and usually had a, “fashion show,” after all the gifts were unwrapped.

Fast forward to this year:

It will be the second year that my mom has lived in her small, one-story home. My sisters and I have never lived in this home, but it still feels like Christmas. I think this is because, in our minds, wherever my mom is feels like home. Kelsey, Keaton, and I will spend the night with her on Christmas Eve, and we will eat appetizers for dinner. Eventually, my mom will invite us to open one present. We will pretend to not know what it is, but we will know that it is our matching pajamas. We will put them on, full of smiles, even as adults -- our matching pajamas, and we will line up for a picture in front of the tree.

I will search the Christmas trees for my heritage hanging on a hook. I will stare deeply at the flickering lights. I will not pray, but I will meditate on the beauty which surrounds me in my life. I will think of all the sacrifices, the love, and the beauty which my Mom has made to make my life so meaningful.

We will have a big sleepover, all girls. My mom will wake before us, and she will play Christmas music loudly enough to wake us. We will get up and walk into the living room to see the presents she snuck out overnight -- as if Santa was still real. We will take turns opening presents, one-by-one, savoring the beauty that comes with sharing love in the form of gift-giving.

We will eat cookies, candy, and stratta for breakfast. 

I believe still more than ever in the Love which surrounds this holiday. I still kneel by the tree and reflect on everything which I am grateful for. I hope that each and every one of you find Love more than anything else during this holiday season. I hope that the Good in me helps grow the Good in you. If any of you are having trouble finding meaning, love, or purpose during this time, please feel free to reach out to me -- your Wallflower Friend.

I also want to give a special dedication here to my mother, Joie Rathbun Wylie. Thank you, Mom, for making sure that the Magic always lives on with our little family of girls. I love you and am so grateful to have learned the Reason for the Season through your example.

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy Holidays! Namaste, dear friends.

[cbaloga]

New! I designed my third seasonal iMessage stickers called, “Santy Claus - Animated Stickers”: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/santy-claus-animated-sticker/id1444548064?mt=8

Do you see what I see?

Greetings from the North Pole! It’s Santy Claus beaming with good will and cheerfulness. 

Celebrate the season by decorating your iMessages with this festive set of animated stickers. Be merry, be jolly, and believe in these decorative accents.

Spread cheer all year round by downloading Santy Claus - Animated Stickers today.

Stickers Include:

• Bell Moving to and Fro

• Christmas Tree with One Swinging Ornament 

• Person Entangled in Christmas Lights

• Dabbing Santa Claus

• Santa Claus Wobbling on Stool, Decorating Christmas Tree

• Dog Panting in Santa Claus’s Costume

• Double Candy Canes Dancing

• Elf Blinking

• Elf on a Shelf Sitting

• Gingerbread House with Swirling Peppermint Candy

• Gingerbread Man Bouncing

• Gingerbread Woman Bouncing

• Leg Lamp

• Little Christmas Tree Swaying

• Naughty List

• Nice List

• Santa Oven Mitt Waving Hello

• Swinging Christmas Pickle Ornament

• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

• Santa Hat

• Blinking Santa Head

• Scared Santa Riding in Sleigh 

• Single Swaying Candy Cane

• Swinging Striped Stocking 

• Swinging Long Stocking

• Stuffed Santa with Bulging, Jiggling Stomach

• Blinking Santa Teddy Bear Seated, Dancing

• Holiday Train Bouncing

• Waving Wish List

• Handheld Game Console 

• Santa Holding Tree and Sack of Toys

• Santa Pointing with Both Hands

• Santa Postage Stamp

• Santa with Sunglasses Waving Hello

• Snacks for Santa: Plate of Cookies and Glass of Shaking Almond Milk 

• Santa’s Sleigh Doing Circles

• Stocking with Patch Swinging

Express yourself in new ways with dynamic and animated Santy Claus stickers you can put anywhere in your chat. Scale, rotate, and layer stickers—even place them on photos you send and receive! 

• SEND dynamic and animated stickers in chat

• PLACE stickers anywhere on your iMessages

• CUSTOMIZE your photos with stickers in chat

• LAYER stickers over each other, in chat, and on photos

• SCALE & ROTATE stickers

Santy Claus - Animated Stickers was created by Christian Baloga, an American author and award-winning artist. Follow him on Instagram and twitter @cbaloga.

Download now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/santy-claus-animated-sticker/id1444548064?mt=8