Tradition

How does a new one get started?

Editors pick 12/16/25 For Authors Newsletter

Andy and Mandy had searched all the usual places. They were experts by now. It was almost Christmas. Neither one of the two kids had found where their parents had hid their precious Santa Claus presents.

“One last chance,” Andy said, whispering in his sister’s ear. “I know where mom hid the presents. I want to unwrap one to see what’s inside. I’ll wrap it back up. Last year they dummied us by wrapping stupid stuff to decoy us, remember?”

“I’ll distract them,” Mandy nodded. How could she forget? This year she didn’t have a clue where the real stuff might be.

“We’ve got some last minute shopping to do. We’re in a rush. You kids are big enough to babysit each other while we rush. Keep your cell phone handy.” The door slammed shut.

“Where?” Mandy demanded, racing after Andy to the back door out to the backyard shed. He dangled the key, unlocked it and sure enough a pile of big size presents was inside.

“This is little kid stuff!” Andy stared in shock at the tricycle hanging from the shed roof.

“I outgrew Barbie a year ago!” Mandy couldn’t believe her eyes.

“It’ll cost you,” came the voice of Maxwell Thomas, over the fence of their next door neighbor. “I’ll let you see what your presents are that are hidden over here if you don’t tell my kids theirs.”

“Done deal!” Andy and Mandy gave each other fives.

It became a tradition to give each other presents the day before Christmas after their own parents got home and saw the gifts open and waiting under the Christmas tree.

“Saves time,” Andy had said, laughing at the look on their faces.

“And the cost of wrapping paper,” added Mandy, laying her mom’s new Christmas necklace in her hands.