A/N: So this is far from a serious chapter, it's just something for the holidays, so enjoy.

"What is this?" O'Neill asked when he stepped into the control room. A few meters in front of the gate a large blue pine tree was sitting.

"Come on Jack, it's almost christmas so we got a christmas tree," Sam said. She was standing at the base of the tree, holding a ladder in place while a marine hung up some ornaments.

"A christmas tree is suppose to be green, not blue. How did you even bring it here?" He was walking down the stairs towards the tree.

"It's what we managed to find on the planet Jack, there was orange and pink trees on the mainland of the planet too but I doubt you would like those better."

"A red one would have been better." He was slowly pacing around the tree, inspecting every branch. "You should place another bell here."

"Well we could not find any red ones on the planet Jack, so we took a blue one. Alright? We used some jumpers to lower it through the tower here. It might be a bit on the tall side but then this is the first time we have had a christmas tree so why not go big." Her smile was going from ear to ear. When Jack passed under a nearby mistletoe she took her chance and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"I'll let that slip this time Colonel," Jack said and continued walking around the tree. "So you think we should celebrate christmas properly Carter?"

"There's no immediate threat to the city right now General, people are simply trying to enjoy the holiday. There's been some gift workshops going on around the city so there should be some pretty nice gifts going around tomorrow."

"That's all of them Ma'am," the marine said after climbing down the ladder.

"Thank you Marine."

"Well I guess we could try to do the best of the situation," Jack said. He pressed his com badge and linked it to the city's intercom. "Everyone listen up. It seems that yet again christmas is around the corner and as I have been informed we're in no immediate danger. Everyone who wants to prepare for tomorrow are free to do so. I have heard that there are several workshops around the city where you are creating gifts for each other. I know we don't have a large storage of materials so if those leading the workshops need more materials talk to any senior officer, bring a team with you and you will be free to gather materials from the mainland. Tomorrow morning the senior officers will be manning the city, everyone else will have the day off until noon."

"So we're manning the city tomorrow?" Sam asked.

"Yea, why not? It'll be fun, just like old times without anyone else to order around."

"I hope so Sir."

"Care to show me to the closest workshop? I think I should be making some gifts too. We just need to swing by the mess hall first."

"I'd be delighted to General." She pushed her arm under his and pulled him along towards the closest transport booth.

"Now you're really pushing it Colonel." He complained but did nothing to escape her grasp as she dragged him into the transporter booth.

The mess hall was filled with cheering people when the duo stepped out of the booth. Around them thanks were heard while Jack steared them towards the serving area. The chef on the other side of the counter was blooming with joy when he saw them approaching. "Welcome General, Colonel. We heard your announcement here. Can I get you anything special today?"

"I was wondering what you would need to prepare a feast for the city's population? Tomorrow."

"I think we have everything we need already, we just need some time to prepare it."

"Good. I look forward to it."

"It will be our pleasure General."

"So where were those workshops Colonel?" Jack asked.

"Just come with me Sir," Sam said and dragged him along.

As the morning came Jack got up early and hurried to the infirmary where he dropped of a small present for Mokar who was still asleep. Then he used the nearby transporter booth to get to the control room. There was some activity up in the control room but he sneaked in from the side of the tree and placed the gifts he had managed to create under it before slipping back into the side tunnels and emerging from the stairs at the back of the control room a few minutes later.

"Good morning," he shouted.

A few tired replies came from the people in the control room.

"Looks like everyone's here now," Sam said. She came out of the control room's office with a large tray. "Let's have some breakfast."

"I thought the chefs would have their hands full today without cooking up a breakfast like that for us," Jack said when she brought the tray over to him. It was full of food.

"It's my own creations."

"I can see that," Daniel said. He held up a sausage that was burnt to a crisp with his fork.

"I've been eating in the mess hall for more than twenty years, of course my cooking's crap."

"How about we open some gifts instead?" Teal'c said and dropped the black burnt meatball that was frozen inside.

"Sounds like a good idea," Jack said.

Together the four friends walked down to the blue tree and Sam bent down to grab a long small present. "I think you should start Jack."

"Oh really?" Jack asked when she handed him the gift. "What have you kids done now?"

"Come on Jack, just open it," Sam urged.

"Calm down." Slowly he removed the string and tore away the paper. When the paper fell away he held a long red rod in his hands. He took a firm grip as far apart as he could and flexed the rod. "That's a great rod, it's some new composite?"

"No it's wood from M3P-924. The harsh and windy climate has created some really tenacious wood that's got an incredible breaking strength. You could catch a small shark with that and some good line," Sam said.

"I didn't take you for the woodcraft type Carter." Again he flexed it.

"It was Teal'c's idea to get you a fishing rod Sir. I just figured out what wood to use for it."

"Indeed. I found the wood to be most durable yet light. It will be most effective to craft training weapons from," Teal'c said.

"Here's mine," Daniel said. From beneath the tree he pulled a small square package and handed it to him.

"Now what's this?" Jack asked. From inside the package he pulled a yarn of fine line. "Fishing line?"

"Yes, it should be enough to cope with the fishes you get with that rod."

"So I guess the third one is a reel?" Jack asked when he was handed a third package.

"You would be right," Teal'c said.

"Thank you. Now go on and open mine."

"You had time to get us all gifts?" Daniel asked.

"Yea well I had some time to spare." He reached in under the tree and pulled out a large package, a medium one and a small one.

"Thank you," Teal'c said. He got the largest one and spared no time opening it. Inside lay a pair of light brown sparing staffs.

"You might want to oil them in a few more times so you don't get splinters."

"Indeed."

"Uhm… General you do know that a chess board requires pieces to play," Carter said. In her package was a foldable chessboard with plenty of space inside for pieces, but no pieces.

"Yes I know what you need to play chess Colonel but there was no time to handcraft all the pieces needed for a complete chess set. Maybe I'll craft you the rest of the set during the year if you're nice."

"It's the thought that counts I guess," Daniel joked.

"Then you'll be thrilled by your gift," Jack said with a smile when Daniel begun to open his gift.

"Really? You crafted those things for them and you get me a photograph?" Daniel said. In his present there had been a picture frame with a photo of the four.

"It's more than just a picture." Jack snatched the photo from him and tapped the frame two times. Slowly the photo came to life and the four small figures in it begun to wave to them.

"Alright that's a little cooler," Daniel said when Jack handed it back.

"Check the back."

On the back of the frame a note was attached. "What's this?" Daniel asked while he removed it. "Check to do things my way five times," he read aloud from the note.

"Use them sparingly, I'm not going to give you anymore of those."

"Thanks Jack, merry christmas."

"Merry christmas kids."