"I'm not dressed!" I exclaimed to my equally not dressed husband.
"Why are you looking at me? I don't know what to tell you."
"Good point. It's probably just carolers anyways" (we don't get a lot of people coming to our door when technology via e-mails and cell phones works so nicely). Seth was all willing to answer the door, but since he had just jumped out of the tub, we told him that wasn't going to happen.
So, we stayed quiet, contemplated turning our lights off then thought that would be a pointless guesture since they already noticed we were there.
Another doorbell ring and a few knocks later, we thought we were in the clear. Chris had peaked through the blinds and saw some carolers off in the distance at a neighbor's house, so we thought that was the end of the story.
But it wasn't. We finished getting on jammies and played with the kids before reading some Christmas stories to them on our bed. Then, Chris's cell phone rang.
It was on the other side of the room, we had just put Eliza down and we were snuggling in the dark room with Seth for a bit before putting him down for bed as well, so he just said he'd let it go to voicemail.
Well, MY cell phone then rang, and though it was charging, its location was right next to the bed so I picked it up not recognizing the local number.
"Hello?"
"HO, HO, HO! You really need to check your front porch. Merry Christmas!" a deep-voiced man stated.
"Uh...okay."
So, I quietly went to the front door, peaked out my peephole, silently cursing my Christmas wreath for being a little too jolly with the boughs slightly covering said peephole then slowly opened the door, not sure what I'd find.
A beautifully wrapped gift basket-no note-was sitting on the stairs. I picked it up and brought it back to the bedroom. I turned on the light and showed the gift to Chris and Seth.
Assorted fruit, Great Harvest whole wheat bread with holiday jam, a honey bear, and a free bread loaf gift certificate filled the wicker basket, though Seth was most excited about the sippy cups (go figure).
I've never been a recipient of an anonymous gift basket before, so I didn't know what to think at first. Finally, I stated, "It must have been a Secret Santa!"
"Santa?!" Seth exclaimed, fully aware of the importance in that name.
"Yes, Seth! He must have decided that you and Eliza were so good that we needed some Christmas presents early, leaving this on our front porch!"
He put his finger to the side of his mouth in deep contemplation (no joke) and really thought about that one. He knew that Santa's suppose to go down the chimney, but we don't have a proper fireplace, so he accepted it and oohed and aahed over the bounty, quickly laying claim to the blue sippy cup.
We have no clue who brought this early Christmas present (or if it even was the carolers or someone else) and yet are so grateful for the kind guesture (and Great Harvest bread?! What excellent taste!). I wish I would have answered the door.
And since there's already a few Christmas gifts shared early, stay tuned for the next post since I don't think we'll last until Christmas to share this one.
