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The triplets sat on the living room floor playing with Sonia’s stuffed reindeer and the sleigh she and Aleena made as their parents carried the fake Christmas tree out of the basement.

Manic looked at his parents. “Why can’t we get a real tree?”

“Because I won’t remember to water it and it’ll shed its leaves.” Aleena said, setting the base and bottom branch down. “I already have enough to clean.”

Brenden set the middle and top branches down. “I thought they were cleaning their own rooms now, Aleena.”

“They are, but I have to supervise the boys.” Aleena replied. “Otherwise, it’ll never get done.”

“I can imagine.” Brenden said. “Can you get the ornaments and lights, Babe? I’ll put together the tree.”

“I’ll be right back.” Aleena replied. She walked out of the room.

Sonia groaned. “Dad, Manic and Sonic keep making my deer fight.”

“Are they breaking them?” Brenden asked.

“No.” Sonia replied. “They’re not playing right.”

Brenden glanced at the boys.

Sonic and Manic had stopped playing.

Manic looked at two of the deer. “Okay, so… in that special Donnor is Rudolph’s dad, but they look like they’re the same age.” I mean, Uncle Chuck and Dad don’t look the same age.”

“But Unc is super old.” Sonic said. “He’s gotta be about a hundred years older.”

Brenden laughed. “No, he’s twenty-two years older than me.” He replied. “Either Donnor was kinda young when Rudolph was born or… actually, they didn’t have the budget to make a new figure. That special is the only one to add that detail to the Rudolph story.”

Aleena came back with the box of ornaments. “Hon, what kind of lights did you and Manic pick out?”

“M&M’s lights.” Manic said, grinning. “They’re cool, aren’t they?”

Aleena set the box on the floor. “They’re certainly unique.” She replied. “Okay, Uncle Chuck said he couldn’t afford the engraved ornaments this year, but he did give you your favorite ornaments that used to belong to Grandma.”

“Come help decorate the tree.” Brenden said, straightening the branches.

Aleena handed Sonia a pastel train ornament.

“Ooh, it’s pretty.” Sonia squealed.

Aleena handed Manic the reindeer ornament.

“Cool.” Manic said, smiling.

Aleena handed Sonic a flamingo wearing a scarf and hat ornament.

Sonic grinned. “Awesome.”

“Be sure to thank Uncle Chuck when he gets here.” Aleena said.

“We will.” The triplets replied.

“Now, let’s get started.” Aleena replied. “We have to get ready for the party soon.”

*

Brenden finished making lunch while Aleena got the triplets ready for the party.

Sonia was wearing a dark pink dress with red bows and white lace on the collar, hem, and sleeves while Sonic wore a red sweater and Manic wore a black one.

Aleena brushed Sonia's head fur while Sonic and Manic combed their spines.

“The lace itches.” Sonia whined as she scratched at her wrists and neck.

“My sweater is itchy.” Manic whined. “It’s hot and I look stupid.”

“I look like the kid on Home Alone.” Sonic whined.

Aleena sighed. “I know, but you can change after the party and before we go to the parade.” She replied. “Now, please be on your best behavior. Don’t complain if someone gives you a gift you don’t want.”

“Okay.” The triplets muttered.

The triplets sat on the living room floor, watching the Rocko’s modern life Christmas episode as they waited for their guests.

“Kids, don’t sit on the floor; sit on the couch.” Aleena said, walking into the living room. “Sonia, don’t sit like that while you’re wearing a dress.”

“But I’m wearing tights.” Sonia replied.

“Still it’s not polite and it’s kinda see-through.” Aleena said.

Sonia pulled her legs underneath her, carefully moving her feet to an angle where her Mary Janes weren’t directly under her bottom.

Uncle Chuck and Brenden walked in.

“I’m here, kids.” Uncle Chuck said, setting his coat on the coat rack.

The triplets got up, ran over to Uncle Chuck, and hugged him. “Thanks for the ornaments.”

“You’re welcome, kiddos.” Uncle Chuck replied. “Glad you liked them.”

Brenden set his coat down. “I gotta help Gerald and Maria.” He said, walking out of the room.

“So who’s coming over?” Manic asked.

“Aside from them, Sally and her dad.” Aleena replied. “Uh… Rouge, Knuckles, and… who was the little tenrec girl that Manic got to be friends with?”

“Surge?” Manic asked. “She’s coming here?”

Sonia and Sonic laughed.

“Manic and Surge, sitting in a tree.” Sonia sang. “K-”

Manic hit Sonia with a throw pillow.

“Kids, knock it off.” Aleena said. “Turn the tv off, the guests will be here in a minute.”

The triplets groaned.

Sonic turned the tv off as Maria and Shadow walked in.

Maria had a pretty blue velvet dress with black tights and Mary Janes while Shadow wore a black collared shirt under a crimson sweater (to his chagrin).

Sonia rushed over to Shadow and hugged him. “You’re so adorable.”

Shadow sighed.

Maria giggled. “Aww.”

Several minutes later, the rest of the guests showed up.

The kids sat at the smaller plastic tables and chairs set up in the kitchen while the adults sat at the dinner table.

Shadow poked at his food.

“You’re not hungry, Shads?” Manic asked.

“Stop calling me that.” Shadow snapped.

Maria looked over at Shadow. “Oh, it’ll cool down in a minute, Shadow.”

“Is it too hot for him?” Aleena asked.

“He eats cold food.” Gerald replied. “Can’t get him to warm up his food at all.”

“He tries to eat coffee beans too.” Maria added.

Shadow huffed.

“Oh, everyone has an odd quirk, Shadow.” Gerald said. “Don’t be so huffy.”

An hour later, the adults had finished their meals and were talking instead of eating dessert.

Manic huffed. “Come on, when can we open presents?”

Brenden looked over at Manic. “We will open gifts next week.” He said. “It’s not Christmas.”

Aleena got up. “I made Christmas cookies.” She said, walking over to the plate of cookies. “You can have a few.”

Aleena picked up a plate. She walked over to the kids, knelt down, and set a plate of sugar cookies on the table.

The cookies had little Christmas trees, reindeer, and snowmen on the centers.

Aleena got up. “I’ll get you all some milk.” She said, walking to the fridge. “Get three each.”

The kids grabbed the cookies, getting one of each design.

Aleena came over and poured milk into the children’s cups. “Are you all looking forward to the parade?”

“I hope it's better than the one in Green hills.” Surge replied. “Kit and I only got pixie sticks at that parade.”

“I think you’ll have better luck at this one.” Aleena said.

Surge nodded. “I hope so.”

“These cookies are great, Ma.” Manic said.

“You know she bought those at the grocery store, right?” Shadow asked. “These are Pillsbury cookies.”

“Shadow.” Maria scolded. “She still baked them.”

“I didn’t say they were awful.” Shadow said. “Thanks, Mrs. Hedgehog.”

“You’re welcome.” Aleena replied.

After the party, the triplets changed into comfortable clothes.

Sonia wore a dark red sweatshirt and leggings with a black skirt, boots, and jacket.

Manic wore a black Animaniacs long sleeve shirt, jeans, and boots. He picked up his black hooded jacket.

Sonic wore a dark gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and jacket along with his red sneakers.

Brenden picked up their Christmas themed candy buckets. “Okay, kids, let’s go.”

Manic hurried over to Brenden. “Dad, can we play this?” He asked as he handed his dad a couple of cassette tapes.

Brenden looked at the tapes. “Animaniacs and Looney Tunes Christmas party?”

“Uncle Chuck bought it for them.” Aleena said. “Okay, let’s go.”

“We’ll listen to Animaniacs on the way to the parade and the Looney tunes while we look at Christmas lights.” Brenden said, leading the family to the door. He opened the door

“And don’t eat the candy today.” Aleena said, leading the triplets out the door. “You’ve had enough sweets.”

The triplets reluctantly agreed.

*

The hedgehog family pulled into a parking space at the parking lot beside a hair salon as the tape messed up.

“No.” Manic whined. “My new tape.”

Aleena got the tape out and started winding the tape back into the shell. “There, I fixed it.”

“Thanks, Ma.” Manic said.

The family got out of the car and sat down in front of the car.

Brenden handed his children their candy buckets. “Okay, this will be great.”

Manic looked at the decorations hanging from the light poles.

The decorations were in a pattern of wreaths, little banners with reindeer and snowflakes on it, and wire and light reindeers, snowmen, or angels.

Sonia crawled into Aleena’s lap. “It’s cold, Mother.”

Aleena held Sonia. “I know.” She said, pulling Sonia’s hood up. “This should help. Most of your body heat is lost through the top of your head.”

Fire truck alarms sounded.

“The parade is starting.” Brenden said.

Manic covered his ears. “It’s loud.”

“They’ll go by in a minute.” Brenden said.

Finally the trucks made it past the family.

More floats and the Mobotropolis high school marching band went by.

Some floats tossed candy out to the kids.

Sonia, Sonic, and Manic grabbed as much candy as they could hold in their little hands.

Though Sonia couldn’t grab many pieces of candy.

An elderly Mobian vixen kept grabbing Sonia’s favorite candies before she could grab them.

Sonic noticed this and switched sides with Sonia. He scooped up the candy before the female could grab it and gave it to Sonia.

The vixen held out some lollipops to Sonia. “Would you like to trade for these?”

“She only likes the mini Hershey bars.” Sonic said.

The vixen then turned away.

“Thanks, bro.” Sonia said.

“You’re welcome, sis.” Sonic replied.

The family got back into the car.

It had just gotten dark and the lights came on.

Manic grinned as the decorations lit up. “Awesome.”

Brenden started the car and put the Looney Tunes cassette tape in the player. “Okay, let’s see the Christmas lights.” He said, backing out.

The triplets excitedly looked through the side and front windows at the rows of decorated houses.

“It’s so pretty.” Sonia said. “Why don’t we put up lights like that?”

“Because it’s a nightmare to have to untangle and string up all of those lights.” Brenden replied. “Then clean it all up.”

“And Dad already gets so annoyed with setting up our tree and says a bunch of words we’re not allowed to say without adding more stuff to do.” Manic said, crossing his arms.

Aleena glared at Brenden. He’s not supposed to do that either.”

“You should talk.” Manic said. “I heard you cursing when you accidentally burned yourself with your curling iron.”

Aleena’s face turned red.

Brenden glanced at Aleena.

“I know, I shouldn’t have done that either.” Aleena said.

*

-Christmas Eve/ a week later-

The hedgehog family finished watching their VHS of Christmas specials that Aleena taped for the family.

Though the kids often just stared at the lights on the Christmas tree instead of the video.

Manic yawned.

Aleena stopped the video. “Okay, it’s time for bed.” She said, getting up.

Sonic and Sonia groaned.

“Oh, come on, you need some rest for tomorrow.” Brenden said. He got up and picked up Manic, who was already half asleep.

Sonia and Sonic eased off the couch.

Aleena led Sonic and Sonia toward their rooms while Brenden carried Manic as he followed his family.

*

-Christmas Day-

The triplets ran into their parents’ room and leaped onto the bed.

Aleena groaned. “Kids, it’s too early.” She said groggily.

“It’s Christmas!” Sonic said, crawling over to his parents.

“We’re aware.” Brenden replied.

“C’mon, we wanna open presents!” Manic exclaimed.

Aleena sighed. “Okay, we’re up.” She said, slowly sitting up. “Can you make some coffee and hot chocolate, honey?”

Brenden got up. “I’m on it.”

Aleena followed the triplets into the living room as Brenden headed into the kitchen.

The triplets stood in front of the Christmas tree.

A huge sheet covered something under the tree.

“What is that?” Manic asked.

Sonic reached for the sheet.

“No, leave it alone until your dad comes in with our coffee and hot chocolate.” Aleena said.

Sonia scratched at her wrists. “Mother, the lace is itchy.” She said, tugging at the elastic and lace cuff of her dark pink plaid nightgown.

“Go change into your Winnie the Pooh nightgown.” Aleena replied.

Sonia got up and hurried to her room.

Brenden walked in with his and Aleena’s coffee. “Here you go, Babe.” He said, handing Aleena her cup.

Aleena sipped her coffee. “Thanks, Hon.”

Brenden set his coffee cup on a cupholder on the side table beside the loveseat. He left the room to get the triplets’ hot chocolate.

“Hurry up, I’m waiting.” Sonic said.

“Be patient, Sonic.” Aleena replied.

Sonia came back into the room.

“Is that better?” Aleena asked.

Sonia nodded.

Aleena noticed the red rings around Sonia’s wrist. “Ooh, I’m sorry it was too tight, Princess.” She said as Brenden walked in carefully carrying in the little Animaniacs character mugs for the triplets.

Brenden set the mugs down on the coffee table. “Okay, who’s ready to open presents?”

The triplets squealed.

Aleena got up. “Let’s get your stockings.” She said, walking over to the mantelpiece. She pulled the red, pink, and green stockings. She handed the stockings to the triplets. “It’s not much, you know, but we wanted to give you a little something in your stockings.”

Manic opened his stocking. “Where’d you find an Animaniacs comic?”

“Walden Books.” Aleena said.

Sonia pulled a Princess Barbie doll out of her stocking. “Thank you!” She squealed.

“You’re welcome.” Brenden and Aleena replied.

Sonic pulled a small hot wheels car out of his stocking and smiled weakly. “Thanks, Mom and Dad.”

“You’re welcome.” Brenden and Aleena said.

“Pull the sheet off the presents.” Brenden said.

Sonic grabbed the sheet and yanked it off the presents.

Under the sheet was a red Power Wheels Lamborghini, a pink and white plastic playhouse, and an old Nintendo system with a few cartridges.

The triplets hugged their parents. “Thank you so much.”

“Aww, you’re welcome.” Aleena said. “I’ll help you write thank you cards for Uncle Chuck. He helped us get these and your dad worked a little overtime to get them.”

“Thanks, Dad.” The triplets said, hugging their dad. “Love you.”

“You’re welcome.” Brenden replied. “Love you too.”

The triplets hurried over to their presents.

Brenden and Aleena leaned back in their seats.

“Do you think Manic would care if he knew the Nintendo came from a yard sale?” Brenden asked.

Aleena shook her head. “That’s the one like Shadow had.” She replied. “That’s what he wanted and I’m not complaining.”