Decorating Lives

A Story Stack: The Separation Method

Photo by:  St. Supreme - Photography

6 words

Seasonal decorations blend in without snow

25 words

Mrs. Harkness was observing the James’ house. “Tsk, tsk,” she thought. “There certainly is no Christmas spirit over there. They didn’t even try,” she sniffed.

50 words

“Nice decorations," said Mrs. Johnston.

“I like the candy canes,” replied Mrs Allen.

“They are soothing.”

“Do they light up?” Mrs Allen asked.

Mrs. Johnston stuttered. “No” 

“Watch this,” said Mrs Allen as she lit up the front of her house.

“Need new decorations,” muttered an angry Mrs Johnston bitterly. 

100 words

“Honk, Honk,” heard Suzanne as she placed a decoration on the Christmas tree. 

Her daughter raced down the stairs.

“Honk, honk,” Suzanne heard again. 

“Is that your date?” Suzanne inquired.

“Not anymore,” replied Alison.

“You should…” started Suzanne as her daughter raced out the door. Suzanne looked at the coat on the railing.

Alison quickly returned and noticed there were still decorations in the box.

Suzanne looked stunned. 

“If he can’t come to the door, he can’t date me. I have standards,” said Alison.

“Good to know,” replied Suzanne. Alison picked up a decoration and added it to the tree.

200 words

Knock, Knock.

Slowly Charlotte opened the door. She spied the trick or treaters standing there in costumes. “Aren’t you guys either quite late or incredibly early?” she asked. “It’s almost Christmas."

The leader spoke up. “Are you trying to deny the new tradition we are trying to establish?”

“A new tradition?” asked a confused Charlotte. She wanted to go back to watching her afternoon serial.  

A second smaller voice popped up. “We have the Easter Bunny. We have Thanksgiving Turkey. We have Santa Claus. We also have Hallowe’en. We thought that we would start the Elves of Christmas tradition.” 

Charlotte was stumped. She wondered if it was the fifth of vodka she had inhaled right before these confused elves arrived at her door. “Elves for Christmas? Isn’t this why we have Santa Claus and Christmas presents?”

“All these holidays have someone giving things we don't really need. Turkey.”

“Um Hmm,” agreed the other elves.

“Chocolate,”

“Um hm,” was heard a little less enthusiastically.

“Candy,” was heard coming from one small voice.

“So as Christmas Elves we are collecting things that will make the world a better place.”

“Regular little Oliver Twists aren't you?” Charlotte said as she closed the door.