A Mane 6 Hearth's Warming Tale:
Twilight's POV: I'm not ready! It's the day before Hearth's Warming Eve and I feel like I'm about to burst.
I knew I shouldn't have gone to visit my brother Shining Armor and my sister-in-law Princess Cadance in the Crystal Empire. But both of my parents as well as the two rulers of Equestria, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were also going to be there. So it would have been rude to not accept their invitation.
Besides, when I did decide to go, I left my faithful dragon, Spike in charge of getting everything ready for Hearth's Warming. I trust him more than any other creature in all of Equestria. So much that I didn't worry about anything what so ever during Shining Armor's and Cadance's get-together. The entire time I was there, we drank hot cocoa, sang carols, and I even got to read them my favorite Hearth's Warming story, A Hearth's Warming Tale as we all sat by the fireplace. I'll admit, it was pretty fun. Till I got back home and discovered a disastrous crisis!
Once I arrived home in Ponyville, I saw that Spike had put up all of the decorations as instructed. He told me that he visited the Foal's Hospital to read Hearth's Warming stories, also as instructed. The large feast that consisted of roast oats, six flavored crusted tarts, pony hash, apple stuffing and pudding had been set and ready for Hearth's Warming, again as instructed. Everything seemed to be in order.
Until I saw that there was only one present underneath the tree, the one Spike got for me. This wasn't right. Where were the presents for my friends that I asked Spike to get?
When I asked him about them, he shook his head, confused. "I thought you were going to get their presents while you were at the Crystal Empire?"
I shook. "Why did you think that?"
He shrugged. "Well, when you were leaving and saying goodbye to everypony, Pinkie Pie said how much she'll miss you. Then you said it would only be for a few days and you'll be back before Hearth's Warming Eve. She said how much she wished she could go with you. And you said you'll bring them all back souvenir."
My eyes widen. Of course, I remember saying that. But I was just joking with her. She knew that she already had every snow glove, t-shirt and other kinds of knick-knack from the Crystal Empire. She didn't need anything else. Besides, there wasn't anything much I could find that my other friends Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash or Rarity would like that they didn't already have. Did Spike really think I was going to get their presents from there?
"I wasn't being literal!" I told him. "Besides, I'd asked you to get them!"
He lowered himself. "I'm sorry, Twilight! I misunderstood."
I touched his arm gently. I couldn't be mad at Spike. It was just a misunderstanding. Besides, I had a more important issue at hoof. I didn't have any presents to give to my friends. Oh, this couldn't be happening, especially not now with my new role.
After succeeding in finishing a spell not even the great Star Swirl the Bearded couldn't complete, I got my alicorn wings and became the newest princess of Equestria. However, just because I now have wings and wear a crown from time to time, doesn't change who I am. I'm still the same Twilight Sparkle who cares about the friends who helped made me who I am today. But how could I ever show how much I still care for them once they find out I have no presents for them? They'll think that I don't care about them as much because I'm royal now. Or that I care more about princess get-togethers than them. I can't let my friends down. I must fix this!
"It's alright, Spike" I spoke. "I can fix this."
Spike looks doubtful. "But, you guys are meeting on Hearth's Warming Eve morning to exchange your gifts!"
"There's still time to get them presents before our gift exchange. Do you know any place that is still selling gifts?"
He nods. "Canterlot Mall."
"Then, that's where I'll go!" I flapped my wings and flew out the door at Rainbow Dash speed. I had to get to the mall and find my friends gifts right away. I just hope I'll find some in time. More so that they're good enough for my friends. I know they'd probably already have there's ready by now.
Fluttershy's POV: "Oh, Angel, look there." As me and my sweet Angel Bunny walked passed pony after pony, my sorrow worsened.
How could I have been so foolish? My friends were all expecting gifts that showed how much I care about them. Not the tacky things I got them.
Before Twilight left to visit her family in the Crystal Empire, we all decided to do a gift exchange for each other on Hearth's Warming Eve morning. Not that this wasn't the first time we gave Hearth's Warming gifts to one another. But this would be the first time we did it face to face. More so, this was Twilight's first Hearth's Warming as a princess. So I wanted to get them extra special gifts.
It took a really long time, but I managed to finish the gifts for Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and even Discord. It was a real challenge with Discord's gift, since this was our first Hearth's Warming as friends. At least he seemed touched by the Hearth's Warming dolls of us I made him, considering he didn't have any. He even invited me to have Hearth's Warming dinner at my cottage. I couldn't wait to see him again soon. Some ponies might still say he's bad just because he's the lord of chaos. But he's a true friend once you make time to get to know him.
While I'm glad that I gave Discord the right gift, I couldn't say the same for the rest of my friends. When I went into town to pick-up more carrots with Angel, I saw ponies showing what they got for all of their friends.
"It's so thoughtful" I heard Cheerilee say when Bulk Biceps gave her a flower portrait. "Your mom's going to love it."
"This is so perfect the twins" Carrot Cake told Cup Cake as they discussed over a shiny new crib.
"I spent all of my earnings on this" I saw Filthy Rich show his daughter, Diamond Tiara a large mirror with golden bars. "But, like your mom always says 'the price you pay for a gift tells that pony how much you care about them."
As I saw how much everypony was awed by the fancy, expensive gifts they got, I felt down about the ones I planned on giving to my friends. My gifts couldn't match any of the ones these ponies had. How would my friends all feel when I give them presents that weren't meaningful like the ones everypony else got?
Oh, my friends will all be so disappointed when I give them their worthless gifts. I couldn't let that happen. But, how could I make it up to them? "I wish I'd gotten them gifts as great as the ones everypony else has" I spoke out loud.
Luckily, Angel was with me. "What's that?" I talk to him as he speaks. Good thing I can understand animals. "You think there's still time for me to fix this? That's right, Hearth's Warming Eve is still tomorrow, so I have today to get them meaningful gifts. That's a great idea!" Angel was right. I can still buy all my friends gifts. It will be short notice, but it was better than giving them the gifts that weren't special. But where could I find all of my friend's gifts that would be good enough for all of them?
Again, Angel answers for me. Canterlot Mall, of course! That place sold everything anypony would ever need. It was sure to have something for all of my friends. As I race to Canterlot, I hope that I will succeed in finding presents that will show my friends how much I care about them. As I was sure they did the same.
Rainbow Dash's POV: "I'm dashing through the skies, on my way to Canterlot Mall. For friends' Hearth's Warming exchange, a gift for them all."
I know, shopping for holiday gifts on the day before Hearth's Warming Eve sounds really last minute. Well, I hadn't meant to wait so long. I'd just been so busy lately prepping myself for the Equestria Games that I hadn't had time to get my friends gifts. None of the less, tomorrow we were all going to do a gift exchange, so I had one day left to get them all presents. At least I followed Twilight's advice.
Before she left for the Crystal Empire, Twilight noticed how occupied I was with preparing for the upcoming Equestria Games. That pony somehow notices whenever some other pony is stressed out. Ironic how she never seems to notice when she's going stress crazy. Anyway, she suggested that I write a list of things to get my friends to make my Hearth's Warming shopping quicker and easier. I got the list in hoof that has everything my friends will be receiving from me. I'll get the newest Daring Do book for Twilight, a new sowing kit for Rarity, a wagon wheel for Applejack, an animal friendly plant for Fluttershy, and a confetti filled basket for Pinkie Pie. It's all settled.
The only friend I didn't include on the list was Spike. But that was only because my friends and I already had a present all ready for him. We got it for him weeks back after Celestia asked us to explore the abandoned mines under Canterlot. The place hadn't been used in years, but the treasures pony miners were once after hadn't left. That little dragon is going to burst with joy when he sees what we got him.
But right now, I had to find presents for my pony friends. Thankfully, I knew that Canterlot Mall would have them. Cause, it had everything last minute shoppers needed. Floors of stores, tons of toys, knick knacks, and other materials of all kinds, and just about every kind of food courts to fuel starving stomachs. I'll be able to fly right in, collect the presents for my friends and be out of there in record time. If I have time to spare, I can stop for a bite at the Aunt Pretzel's Pretzel Bar.
Speeding passed the front doors of the mall, I paused in awe at what I saw. I wasn't the only last minute shopper here. It looked as if half of Ponyville was here. There were ponies lined up on all the escalators, crowding around at the fountain, every food court around was filled with ponies. It was not going to be as easy as I originally thought to collect all the presents. But, hey, I love a good challenge.
Alright, first on the list is the newest Daring Doo book for Twilight. She was sure to love it, especially since the real Daring Doo included me in it. Cause I'm awesome!
So, I fly into the bookstore and browsed the shelves. But no matter how high and far I look, the book is nowhere to be found. In fact, I can't find any of the Daring Doo books. Not even in the Daring Doo Section. Where are all the Daring Doo novels?
"Can I help you?" Page Worm, the bookstore owner asked.
I look down at her. "Where are all the Daring Doo books? I can't seem to find any of them."
"Oh, we sold out of them."
My jaw feels so heavy that I thought it would drop to the floor. "What do you mean SOLD OUT!"
"A lot of ponies love Daring Doo. It's a pretty popular Hearth's Warming present. Cleared out seconds after we opened. But no worries. We'll get another stock of them in two days."
My heart stops. Two days? But the gift exchange was tomorrow. I can't wait that long.
"Don't you have at least one left?" I beg.
"Sorry, nope" Page Worm answers. "But, if you'd like, you could check out the other stores to see if they have it. I'm sure…."
I don't wait to hear the rest. When she says another store could have that book, I bolt out. If the bookstore was a bust, then I'll have to find that book at another store. Plus, I can get the other gifts for my friends as I look.
My next stop was the floral department, where they had the plant for Fluttershy. On my way there, I check out the shops I pass to see if they sold the new Daring Doo book. Unfortunately, none have it. Well, it looks like Twilight's gift will be twice as tough to find. At least Fluttershy's will be easypeasy. But it wasn't.
When I ask the owner of the floral department, Daffodil Petals about the animal friendly plant she frowns. "I'm sorry, but we don't have it."
I stomp my hooves on the counter. "What do you mean by DON'T HAVE IT?"
"Apparently, quite many ponies love flowers as much as pets. When they found out about a shrub that wouldn't bother or harm their animals, it was a quick sell out. Sold the last one just yesterday."
I am so frustrated that my head turns red. It was bad enough that Twilight's gift was sold out. Now Fluttershy's too. Was I really that late getting presents?
"Is there any chance that another store here has that plant?" I ask.
Daffodil Petals shrugs. "You could check."
Ggggrrrrr! Sure, I'll just ask every store I pass if they have an animal friendly plant and the latest Daring Doo book. Not wanting to waste anymore time, I zip out of there. So now I have to look at every store to see if they had the gifts I intend for Twilight and Fluttershy. This could not have gotten worse. I was so wrong.
When I went to the sowing store, they told me the kit I was going to get for Rarity had sold out ages ago and there were none left in stock. But it didn't end there. The farmer shop had only one wagon wheel that I planned on buying for Applejack left. Which was bought about a half hour earlier. So Applejack's present was no more either. As for Pinkie Pie's confetti basket, it was no longer in stock due to complaints about damages it does.
This is a disaster! We are going to have our gift exchange tomorrow. How can I show up if I didn't have any gifts to exchange them with?
Snap out of it, Rainbow! You can't let this little setback put you down. My mind was right. I was the pony who made the rainboom when she was just a filly. I was the one who was going to lead Ponyville in the Equestria Games. There was nothing I can't do! So if I was going to find my friends the best Hearth's Warming gifts they'd ever seen, there's no time to lose.
This mall is packed with hundreds, maybe even thousands of stores. There just had to be some places that have my friends' gifts. And if anypony could find them in record time, it was going to be me!
Faster than the speed of sound, I speed thought store after store looking for the gifts for my friends. I didn't even pause to chit chat with any other pony. Not even while I flew over a line of ponies being hold up by a unicorn yelling at the owner of a designer shop.
Wait, was that Rarity? What was she doing at the mall?
Rarity's POV: "What do you mean by it's not enough!?" I don't mean to shout at the owner of Designs R Us. But I just can't help myself.
"These dresses are fifty grits each, ma'am" he explained.
"But, they were all half that price last week."
"Sorry, we raise up prices when Hearth's Warming draws nearer."
Oh, this is a disaster! The whole reason why I waited till now to get my friends' Hearth's Warming presents for our gift exchange was so that I could afford these dresses. As Ponyville's finest fashion designer, I get a lot of orders this time of year. Everypony counts on me to prepare them worthy gowns, shoes, hats and other boutiques for their loved ones. This year, I decided to use all of the grits I charged for the gifts I made to buy all my friends the finest dresses for them to wear for the upcoming Galloping Galla. I was sure that I would earn enough to afford all of the dresses. Only now I've been told that I don't have enough for all of them.
"You can buy two of them" the owner spoke. "But no more than that."
That certainly cannot do. If I buy two, I won't have any grits left for the three other gifts I had to buy. And if I buy one, I'll be outshining one of my friends. The whole point of getting all of my friends dresses was so that they will know that I care about them all equally. If I get one or two of them presents that are more expensive than the others', they'll think I have favorites. No, I have to get them gifts that are all the same price and that are good enough for them.
"Is there anything I could afford with the grits I have for five presents?" I ask the owner.
He shrugs. "Well, we got glow in the dark t-shirts, sunglasses, multi-pocket jeans, there's also those top hats that were hot last Hearth's Warming."
Is he kidding me? I couldn't get my friends simple presents like those. They all deserve only the most unique and outstanding gifts worthy of them. I couldn't get them presents that were for anypony. No, I hate to say it, but Designs R Us doesn't have what I need.
"Thank you, but my friends deserve better" I tell the owner as I walk out the door. "I'll have to try another store then."
But he still goes on. "We also have jackets, berets, and ugly Hearth's Warming sweaters."
I trot straight to the other finest shop at Canterlot Mall, Stacy's. It always has fashion worthy scarfs, hats and other boutiques. But this place also have tiara's that were well crafted and worn by the most specialist ponies of all of Equestria. And they have one of a kind styles to match all of my friends' personalities. They'll just love them!
And there they were, the tiaras that I was looking for. Oh, and they still have each of the style types my friends will love. An orange one with green gems for Applejack, a pink one with light blue gems for Pinkie Pie, a blue one with magenta gems for Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy will love the yellow one with torques gems, and the purple tiara with purple gems looked worthy for a princess like Twilight. They're prefect!
"Which one are you planning on buying?" One of the employees asks.
"I'll be taking five of them, actually" I answer as I use my magic to grab hold of the five I plan on purchasing.
"Um, are you sure you can afford them all?"
"I got a hundred grits. I can pay for them."
"Well, they cost a hundred each."
Gasp! What? They each cost a hundred grits? How can that be? The last time I was here, they were each at least ten grits.
I turn to the employee. "Let me guess, you raise the prices cause it's the day before Hearth's Warming Eve."
She nods.
Again with this?! This can't work either. If I buy one tiara, I won't have any grits left to get all my other friends their gifts and I'll be outshining one of them. Seems that the tiaras were a disappointment too.
So, I put the tiaras back on the shelf and face the employee. "Do you have anything that is distinctive and cost twenty grits?"
She uses her unicorn magic to show me a scarf with lights all over it. "We have these scarfs that light up several different colors."
It looks more like a fashion don't to me. Lights mixed with clothing was a fire hazard waiting to happen. This will not do at all.
I frown. "Thank you, but it's not what I was looking for."
I trot out, trying to think of where else to go. What else could I get that will be outstanding and worthy of all of my friends? Well, as I say when I become stuck on a project, just got to keep trying. Canterlot Mall was the biggest mall of all of Equestria, afterall. There had to be some place that had gifts that told my friends how much I care about them. Having experience shopping here for years, I know which stores had them. It was just a matter of if I could afford them.
My next try was Penny's Coins, that had every clothing around. On my way there, I heard something that made my ears stand up. That was strange. For a moment or two, I thought I heard Pinkie Pie singing.
Pinkie Pie's POV: "Presents I have to find, for all my bestest friends. So that they will all know, that friendship never ends!"
I find that singing helps keep spirits bright when you're doing really last minute Hearth's Warming shopping. Especially when there are so many choices for gifts. As I pounce pass each of stores at Canterlot Mall, ponies showcase all that they offer.
"Triple whipped cream holiday shake with sprinkles!"
"Mega cookies shaped with your Hearth's Warming favorites!"
"Candy Cane flavored tarts!"
"Pudding!"
There are so many choices! How can I possibly choose which I should get for my friends?
Me and my bestest friends in all of Equestria were going to have a gift exchange on Hearth's Warming Eve to show how much we care about each other. So I wanted the gifts from me to be extra special.
At first, I thought I'd make them their gifts. So I spent weeks baking and re-baking my very special gifts for all of them. But by the time I was halfway done, it was the day before our exchange. There was no time for me to finish them in time. Oh, how could I give unfinished gifts to my bestest friends? I couldn't, that's the answer!
I must redeem myself and present my friends with gifts that bring out the holiday cheer with every bite. Good thing I knew that Canterlot Mall was the perfect place to have every Hearth's Warming goodies there were. Once I arrived there, I saw that I was right about that fact. The only problem is I don't know what goodies are the bestest for my bestest friends.
They're hoofing out peppermint covered apples. But they also have pies filled with candy canes. Course, there are also the snow frosted cupcakes my friends will beg to have. What about the Hearth's Warming ice cream. What to choose for Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack?
Well, I have five friends, so I can get the five most holiday festive goodies for their gifts. But, what if one of them is jealous of the goodie I give to another? Or what if they wish I'd given them one of the other's goodie? Maybe it would be better if I get them the same gift to make them all feel equally good. That's what I'll do. I just need to figure out what goodie was good enough.
I begin my search at Build a Bread, where bread is made fresh. When I get there, everypony was asking for the gingerbread special. As I read it on the menu, my mouth watered. It was a loaf of gingerbread with candy canes sticking out. My friends will love it!
So, I rush straight to the counter and say to the cashier "one of your gingerbread specials, please!"
The cashier pony granted. "Give us an hour. Our baker needs time to finish another batch."
I nod happily. "Put me on hold then!" And I prance away.
Well, I was going to wait an hour. But at least I was going to get the prefect gifts my friends will enjoy.
"Have you tried Sprinkle Topper's newest holiday treat?" I hear a pair of ponies talking as they pass me. "They're these cinnamon rolls that are frosted with peppermint sprinkles covering them. Those are by far the best Hearth's Warming treats that I have ever had. Made my entire holiday."
Did my ears deceive me? Frosted and peppermint sprinkled cinnamon rolls that make ponies entire Hearth's Warming! Now those were special. Even more special than the special gingerbread special. Forget the gingerbread. I have to get my friends those cinnamon rolls.
As fast as Rainbow Dash, I speed to Sprinkle Topper's cart. The line of ponies wanting to try his Hearth's Warming cinnamon rolls was long enough to fill a party at Princess Celestia and Luna's castle. Still, I have to get my friends those cinnamon rolls, so I put myself at the end of the line. If I was going to get my friends' presents that they will enjoy, it was worth the wait.
"Yum, that was the best hot chocolate I ever had" I hear Sweetie Belle tell her friend Scootaloo as they walk by me. "We've got to get Apple Bloom it for Hearth's Warming."
"I'll second that" Scootaloo adds. "I have to say, gummy ponies, chocolate chips with whipped cream added to hot chocolate really bring out the holiday spirit in me."
Hot chocolate with gummy ponies, chocolate chips and whipped cream?! Now there was something so spectacular that it surpasses anything special. I. Must. Get. That. For. Friends!
Forgetting the cinnamon rolls, I leave the line so I can ask those fillies where they had that hot chocolate. But as I rush over to them, I become intrigued by what other ponies are talking about.
"If you get me a bag of caramel popcorn for Hearth's Warming, that's all I'll ever need."
"I hope I get to try those new peppermint lollipops."
"This year, I'm wishing for a gingerbread pony that has glitter on it."
Caramel popcorn? Peppermint lollipops? Glittered gingerbread pony? Oh, how did finding goodies become so hard? How can I possibly choose which my friends would like the very best for their Hearth's Warming gift? Cause I can't possibly decide!
Oh, how will I get my friends the present they will love if I don't know which is the bestest? I feel as stress as Twilight is when she's given a test from Princess Celestia. So much that I can't help but shout, "why is this so hard!?"
Applejack's POV: Woe there! Did I just hear Pinkie Pie yelling her sweet heart out? I shake. Must have been my imagination there. No way in this here wide world would Pinkie ever scream like that unless it were a life or death calamity or if one of them pies she baked were ruined. Must be from spending too much time at this here mall. Being around different shops filled with useless kick-knacks does things to y'all's head.
Why did I say yes when Apple Bloom asked to come with her to Canterlot Mall? It was because she begged for me to take her there cause she was meeting her two friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to do their final Hearth's Warming shoppin. Why they had to buy their gifts on the day before Hearth's Warming Eve was beyond my understanding. To be honest, I find those who do their Hearth's Warming shoppin at the last minute no smarter than a rotten apple.
Everypony knows that the stores will likely have nothing left that's any good for a present. And whatever they do have ain't goin be cheap. I prefer the phrase I heard from Twilight once that goes "getting your Hearth's Warming shopping done weeks ago makes for more time spent with those you love." I like that phrase. But I prefer the one my pa once told me, "the greatest kinds of gifts are the ones you make." And that was just what I done did!
When my friends and I decided on a gift exchange on Hearth's Warming Eve, I knew just what to get them. Or rather I ought to say make them. I put all my years of experience hoofcrafting to use and created gifts for each and every one of my friends. It took a lot of hard work and glue. But, like my ma use to say, "the work you put into a present is what truly makes it special." She was right, y'all now? Cause, once I was done making them gifts, they looked just as I'd hoped they would. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie are goin love them!
As I watch every other pony scramble panicky trying to buy all them useless things as gifts, I can't help but feel proud of myself. I don't need to be part of the hussel and bussel of last minute holiday shoppin. I got all of my presents done ages ago. The only thing left to get done is just to enjoy this wonderful time of year.
And how could anypony not love it? Hearth's Warming, the day that reminds us all when earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns all came together and created a new home where we can all live in peace and harmony. I ought to know since my friends and I were asked by Princess Celestia herself to put on a performance about the origin of Hearth's Warming sometime ago. Other than that, it's also for family and friends to come together to celebrate how much we all mean to each other. That's the part I like the most. That's why after my friends' gift exchange, I plan on coming back to the Apple Family Farm to prepare for the big day. I'll be enjoying a great feast, sharing gifts and games with my family. The Apple family always took the time to cherish this joyous day with each other. That was what the holidays were all about, family and friends. I can't wait to see the looks on Apple Bloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith's faces when they see what I made them this year.
"Hey, Applejack!" Apple Bloom's voice interrupts my thoughts. We really need to teach her not to raise her tone in public. "The cutie mark crusaders and I are goin get ourselves some hot chocolate. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo say it's the best they'd ever gotten. Want me to get you some?"
I politely decline. "Na thanks, Sugar Cube. But y'all try some if it's really that dang good."
My little sis nods. "Great! We also might get these tasty cinnamon rolls while we're at it. Who knows, we might get cutie marks for trying sweets."
I try not to laugh. My sister and her friends are so determined on figuring out their special talents and getting their cutie marks. More so than any other foal I'd ever known. But I'm not bothered by it one bit. In fact, I admire the crusaders' commitment on discovering their destines through doing all kinds of new things every single day. So, of course I'm always encouraging her.
"Alright" I tell her. "Just don't be long. We got to get back home and wrap all our presents for tomorrow."
She nods. "I'll be back faster than a hungry hog." And she rushes to catch-up with her two friends, who are waiting on her.
I'm left wondering what I should do till she comes back. Maybe try to see what sweets they're hoofing out? See if they got nice wrapping and bows? Or I could just watch all them families walking pass me. There sure are a lot of them. I see a mother with her young filly with bags filled with presents. There's also a father dragging a tree while his son and daughter try to help push it. I grin when I spot a family of five posing together for a family photo. They include a father, mother, and three foals. They look a lot like my family, at least what it use to look like.
A hint of sadness made its way into my heart. I can't even remember a Hearth's Warming with ma and pa. Do we still celebrate it the same way we did when they were with us? Has anything changed since then?
A tear dropped from my eye. I was so young when they passed that I couldn't recall anything about our Hearth's Warming together. In fact, I could barely remember them at all! How could I not recall anything about my own parents? Have they been gone for so long that I had forgotten about them?
"Excuse me" a cheerful pony spoke as she presents me a plate with tarts. "Would you like to try our Candy Cane flavored tarts?"
Had I been in a better mood, I would have happily accepted. But the sadness eating me has demolished my appetite. "No thanks. I'd rather be alone." And I walk away in a sad state.
As I walk aimlessly though the mall, I ignore all the Hearth's Warming decors and sweets. It feels too painful to look at anything to do with the holiday right now. Everything just brought grief of what I lost long ago and can never get back. Right now, I don't wish to think about tomorrow's gift exchange or anything that has to do with Hearth's Warming. All I want to do is forget about it all.