3:00 PM PST
Land of Colour Universe
Alex was really enjoying himself. He was amazed by how all the children have taken a huge liking to him. He felt it would be wonderful if he could move his whole family into this world. Considering that the geography of this world was more or less the same as the world he came from, he could still have a chance of working at Wall Street. There would be the issue of getting an identity in this world, though.
"Hey, Alex," said August, "would you like to make some sun-catchers later? We have a lot of sun-catcher kits. I really love watching the crystals harden in the oven."
"That's fun, isn't it?" Alex asked, smiling. "Hey, look at the necklace I made for you. I hope you like it. It's colourful and beautiful. I even put the colours in order of the rainbow. You know, I really haven't done that since I was a small boy myself."
"Don't you want it, Alex?" August said, smiling. "You make pretty necklaces. You should look at the one I made last week. This is made of all the pink shells I found at the beach. If the weather is nice out, tomorrow - we could maybe go to the beach."
"Oh, yes, that would be lovely," gushed Alex. "It's amazing to think it's so warm in this part of the world. It almost seems kind of surreal. I realize Christmas isn't all about snow - but there's something quite festive about having snow for Christmas. Maybe it's just because that's what I grew up with. The cold weather I don't like so much - but I think the snow looks beautiful against the colourful Christmas lights."
"We had snow, back when we lived in Michigan," explained a small orange girl named Lucy. "I have to admit that I miss the winter festivities. Still, it's nice that it's not so cold down here. It's nice that I don't have to bundle myself up so much. I mean, I never liked having to wear a coat. I'd rather wear a short-sleeved shirt with shorts."
"Are you kids all having fun?" asked Marty, as he walked into the room. "Wow! The necklaces look beautiful. I remember I used to make these as a small boy."
"There you are, you sleepyhead!" teased Alex. "I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away. Why don't you come in, and join in on the fun? I must say, these kids are so cute and adorable! They've really taken such a liking to me."
"Are you Alex's twin brother?" Lucy asked, smiling at Marty. "You look exactly like him! I'll bet the two of you often have fun pretending to be each other."
"Actually, we're not really twins," explained Marty. "We're actually more like cousins. We look so much alike, though, don't we? I think it would be great to have a twin."
"I have two friends who are twins," explained Lucy. "The names are Marla and Marta - and they do everything together. They'll often switch places and pretend to be each other. Sometimes it's really hard to tell them apart. They're both so nice, though."
"Marty and I have different preferences in outfits," Alex explained. "My tastes tend to lean far more conservative." Then, with a wink towards Marty, Alex added. "I guess I wear what Marty would call a zoot suit. I often don't feel fully dressed without a tie."
"My dad's like that, too," Lucy said, smiling. "He really loves his ties. He has ties that come in all different colours and patterns. He has a purple tie with pink polka dots on it. That one's my favourite, as it's pretty. I really wish he would wear it more often."
"I really don't think I'd look good in pink or purple," Alex said, laughing. "I mean, I think girls look very pretty in those colours - so I don't dislike them. I just don't think they would look so becoming on me. I do enjoy bright colours as much as the next person - and I have yet to meet someone who doesn't enjoy Christmas lights. Well, actually, I met a Jehovah's Witness once - so he really didn't like anything that was related to the Christmas season. I don't know too much about that religion - but it sounds boring to me. I mean, Christmas is my favourite holiday."
"I have some friends who are Jewish," added August, "and they really don't celebrate Christmas, either. They still enjoy looking at Christmas lights, though. In fact, one of them even decorates their house with blue and white lights. I think it's really pretty."
"Yeah, I have a Jewish friend, too," Alex said, smiling. "Their family always decorates their home with blue and white lights and Chanukah decorations. They even keep an electric menorah in the kitchen window, so that it can be seen from outside. It has to be one of the most beautifully decorated houses in our neighbourhood, in fact."
"My friend, Joey Landvatter, is Jewish," explained Marty. "He plays the keyboards in our band, called The Pinheads. His family does the same thing, too. Some of their relatives consider that to be a bit un-kosher, but Christmas lights really don't have to be used only for Christmas. In the UK, they're called fairy lights - and they could be used for other purposes. It's also a good way for them to display their Jewish pride."
"I think the Jewish people are lucky!" June said, smiling. "They have eight days for receiving presents. It must be really nice for them. I sometimes wish I was Jewish."
"Well, Christmas isn't just about receiving gifts," Alex explained, as he remembered his lesson from three years ago. "It's also about giving to others, spending quality time with your family, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I'm sure Chanukah isn't all about receiving gifts, either. In fact, I don't believe they always exchanged gifts. If I understand correctly, they celebrate Chanukah differently in Israel."
"Alex is correct," added August. "Trisha has relatives who live in Israel. Judaism is the dominant religion there - and Chanukah is actually a legal holiday over there."
"Okay, kids!" called out Victoria, as she walked into the room. "Are you kids ready to open up your presents? Let's go into the living room, and gather around the tree."
Alex was feeling nervous, as he followed everyone into the living room. He didn't have any presents to give to anyone, and he hadn't arrived in this world with any money. As much as he loved money, he didn't wish to seem like a greedy person.
oooooooooo
"All right, Alex," said Victoria, "it's your turn to open up your present. We really hope you enjoy what Todd and I bought for you."
Alex smiled, as he reached for his present. He peeled back the wrapping paper, and then he opened up the box. Inside the box, there was a brown tuxedo - with a tie!
"Oh, thank you so much!" gushed Alex. "It's nice to have another tuxedo. I love the tie, too. I'll have to wear this on my first day back at college."
"You're very welcome," replied Victoria. Then, handing a package to Marty, she said, "Now, Marty, it's your turn. I hope you enjoy your present, as well."
Alex watched on, as Marty opened up his present. Marty had receive another pair of Guess jeans with a denim jacket.
"This is just what I wanted!" gushed Marty. "I guess you knew what brand jeans I really like. I'll have to wear this when I return to work after New Years Day. Thank you so much! You are the greatest!"
"I'm glad you like your present, too," Victoria replied, smiling. "Now, Mallory, it's your turn to open up your present."
Alex turned to his sister, as he watched her open up her present. She had a pair of pink sweatpants, with a matching headband. Alex smiled warmly at his sister.
"Thank you so much, Victoria!" gushed Mallory. "I really love the colour pink, and the headband goes really good with the sweatpants. You've got just what I liked."
"I'm so happy you loved your gift, too, Mallory," replied Victoria. Then she grabbed the last package, and said, "Now, Linda, here is your present."
Alex watched on, as Linda opened up her present. Linda also received a pair of pink sweatpants and a matching headband. Just like my sister, Alex thought, smiling.
"These are cool!" gushed Linda. "Thank you, Victoria! Maybe Mallory and I should wear these tomorrow!"
"That's a good idea, Linda," Mallory agreed, smiling.
"Well, I'm glad you've all liked your presents," Victoria said, smiling.
Alex was bursting with joy, as he helped everyone else clean up the wrapping paper. It looked like everyone got just what they wanted for Christmas.