Christmas at the Combs'

Puck was busy scooshing his Christmas Eve breakfast blueberry muffin cake around his high chair tray like a matchbox car.
“Vroom, vroom,” he said quietly, listening to Christmas carols from Collette’s Mac.
By the time the middle afternoon had rolled around, they joined the rest of the Snicketts family for the first official Christmas celebration of the season. At the Combs’ house. It was always a festive pile of people, presents, and hors d’oeuvres on Christmas Eve.
Grandma was already there by the time they arrived at 4:30, followed shortly after by the rest of the family, and Linus’ girlfriend, Danielle. Even later into the evening, Aunt Petunia’s brother, his wife, and Uncle Larry arrived. And even later, Danielle’s mom.
It was a loud, merry bunch, stuffed with mini sandwiches, mini quiches, crackers, spreads and dips, chocolates, cookies, trifles, cheesecakes, and a specialty ordered by Grandma from Danielle (who worked at Baskin Robins) — strawberry sorbet. No one left hungry that night.
Before their little gang had to leave for the evening, OLeif and Collette were able to watch Linnea open her gifts — several sets of salt and pepper shakers for her collection (one crafted into the shape of picnic ants), two digital cameras (one to be used underwater), and two gift cards from the Combs (to Claire’s and Bath & Body Works). She was very pleased.
Puck received a shaking, laughing Elmo/Cookie Monster ball. Once he acclimated himself to the idea of a giggling face, he laughed at it and requested Collette to press the buttons repeatedly on the way home. From Grandma, he received a pack of many matchbox cars and a plastic sheet road map for him to run his cars over and over on the ground. He loved cars. On the way over to the Combs’, OLeif and Collette heard him say happily to himself, “Vroom, vroom, baby!”
Then OLeif and Collette — fudge, of course, and a gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse from the Combs. And from Grandma (in addition to the Christmas money and Trader Joe’s gift card from the previous week), there was a wood inlaid box filled with frankincense and myrrh, with a handful of chocolate gold coins on the outside of the package.
Collette always felt spoiled and full at Christmas. But in a good sort of way, spending warm, happy hours with family. It was a happy time of the year.