No More Toys for Christmas

Avery hands her mom her Christmas list, at eleven, she didn't put any toys on the list. She was too old for that. Her mom reads it over, “A cable knit sweater, earrings, charm bracelet, earbuds, and a new water bottle. All very grown-up things, honey.” 

"Yeah, well my friends and I made our lists together." Avery shrugs.

“Are you sure you don't want to add something to do on Christmas day? Your brother and sister will both get toys on Christmas and you may want to ask for something to do, a puzzle, a craft, or even a toy.” Her mom hints handing her back her list. 

Avery holds her hand up, refusing to take the list back, “My friends didn't put those things on their lists, Mom." 

Her mom gives her a gentle smile, “I know dear, but your friends aren't here are they?"

Avery hesitates, “No, I'm happy with the list.” She nods, convincing herself as much as her mom.

"Well, alright then dear. If that's what you want.” Her mom shrugs and sticks the list on the fridge. 

The next Saturday, Avery was hiding in her room, headphones in, music blasting. Why did school have to get so close to Christmas! She is so tired! Her mom knocks on her door, and pokes her head in, "Honey? Since you are so grown, wanna help me create Christmas magic?” 

Avery feels a rush of excitement, but tries to play it off, “Ya, sure that's cool or whatever." She jumps off her bed and follows her mom to the car. 

"I need your help deciphering your siblings' Christmas lists.” Her mom chuckles and hands Avery the lists in poorly written crayon. "Insisted of writing them themselves this year. So anything you know would be great.” 

As they find a parking spot at the shopping center, Avery solves about 80 percent of the list. Which is as good a start as any. As they wander through the toy aisle, Avery pauses, "What ya looking at Honey?” Her mom calls from a few feet ahead. 

"Oh just the Barbies, Ella and I always get Barbies on Christmas and we play with them while Tommy and Dad play with whatever toy he got.” She picks up the Barbie she knows Ella really wants, "I guess I should tell her I didn't ask for one” she kicks at the ground. 

“That is the downside of growing up, I suppose." Her mom steps back, “If I was going to ask for a Barbie for Christmas, I’d pick that one" She points to a Barbie in a bright pink blazer. " How about you?” 

“Mom, I'm too old for Barbies.” She rolls her eyes. 

“Maybe you are, but I still think they are fun, so come on, which would you choose?" Her mom places a hand on her shoulder.

"Fine, the Minnie Mouse fan one, cuz she'd fit in with the rest of my Minnie Collection, and Ella wouldn't take it.” She shrugs, “We should keep moving. We've still got a lot to find." 

As Christmas gets closer, Avery begins to wonder if she made a mistake, not asking for something to do on Christmas. But she wouldn't let her mom know she was right. And she did promise Ella as part of her Christmas gift she would play Barbies on Christmas. It was like a tradition or whatever. So she won't be bored.

However, she did end up back at the store with her dad. She wanted to get mom a Christmas gift that wasn't from the three of them kids. After all, she is getting older. "So kiddo, what did you want to get your mom?” 

She looks at the floor, “It’s kinda stupid." She mumbles, the closer they got to the section of the store the more she thought her mom would hate it. 

“Hey, don't talk about your ideas that way. I'm sure she'll love it.” Her dad encourages as he follows her through the store. Avery stops in front of the display, her dad smiles, “I see, you're sure?" Avery nods, “I think it's perfect." 

Christmas morning is bright and clear and the family's a mountain of wrapping paper and each gift is open. Avery hands her mom the gift she bought, “Oh honey you didn't need to get me anything extra." 

She shrugs, “Dad isn't the only one who can make Christmas Magic for you."

Her mom tears away the paper, “Oh! This is so fun! Ella, look what your sister got me!” 

“You got mom a Barbie!? Now Mom can play with us too!” Ella grabs the box from her mom and looks on and on about the fun pink jacket she is wearing. 

Soon the wrapping paper mountain is in trash bags and toys are ready to be played with. Avery sits on the couch as she watches her brother and father zip around the living room with his new remote-controlled car. While her sister and mom unpack their new Barbies. Maybe the regret is settling in. 

Before she finds an excuse to go to her room to hide for even a few minutes, her mom hands her one more wrapped gift. "But I opened all of mine already." 

Her mom winks, “Maybe this one got lost."

Avery slowly opens it, and her smile gives her away, the Minnie Mouse Fan Barbie, it's even cooler than it was in the store. "Thanks, Mom. Maybe, I'm not too old for toys just yet.” Avery slips onto the floor and joins her mom and sister in playing with their new Barbies.