A Mall and the Night Visitor
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Last-minute shoppers flurry around the mall like snowflakes in a blizzard and the high school’s student council charity drive is getting the cold shoulder. It’s already Christmas Eve, and they still haven’t received enough donated gifts to fulfill every Christmas wish on the ”Angel Wreaths.” Disenchanted student council members and disgruntled young mall employees share their complaints in the employee lounge as the down-to-business mall manager, Mrs. Hotchkiss, lectures about keeping the place tidy. Nick, the mall Santa, sees the students’ efforts and also hears that the employees are scrimping and pinching to buy gifts for their family and friends. He suggests they create a Wishing Tree, where they hang their special Christmas wish of the gift they would give to someone else if they could. The kids love the idea, agreeing that an important part of Christmas is ”not the gifts, but the thought that goes into them,” and soon the little tree in the lounge is covered with envelopes full of wishes for others. The way every Christmas dream comes true makes this a sweet and memorable holiday story.