'Beyond Christmas'

One day Sam's father brought in boxes from the storage area. Decorations of candy canes and Christmas trees were on them.

"Christmas is almost here," his dad said.

Sam worried about what to get his parents for a present. He petted his dog, Nutmeg, and wondered what to do.

"What are you giving Mom and Dad for Christmas?" he asked his sister, Marcy.

"I'm going to knit Dad a scarf and make woven potholders for Mom," she said. "I know they are things they can use. They won't be put in a drawer and forgotten."

Sam sighed. Marcy always made great things. Sam was sure they would love her presents. But Sam didn't think his ideas were ever as good as Marcy's.

It bothered him that his presents only seemed to last through Christmas. Last year he made a centerpiece out of leftover greens from the tree. He added Christmas bulbs and a red bow. It was pretty, but after the holiday was over, so was his present. This year he wanted something that would last and be remembered. He thought of the pictures he painted, but eventually his mom took those down. He didn't know what she did with them. When he asked about them, she said, "I'm making room for new ones."

"Would you like me to help you, Sam?" Marcy asked.

"No," he said. He wanted to come up with an idea of his own that would last beyond Christmas. He wasn't good at making things, except his pictures.

Sam looked at the ones on the refrigerator and then others on the bulletin board. He thought maybe he could use them for a present but wasn't sure how. He was concerned they would soon be gone too.

Then Sam remembered a few weeks ago one of his friends had brought a book to school. It was his friend's short story. It had been put together at a copy store. Sam wondered if he could do the same type of thing with his pictures. He was excited to think it might work.

The next day Sam took all of his pictures off the fridge and bulletin board. Marcy went with him to the copy store to see if a book could be made. He wondered if he had enough money to pay for a book.

"Yes, of course you can have them made into a book," the lady said. "We can even laminate the pictures and add a spiral binding too!" Sam was happy he had enough money to pay for it. Sam chose a special picture for the cover. It was a picture he had painted of the family and Nutmeg around the Christmas tree. Red stockings hung on the mantel above a lighted fireplace. Marcy's ornaments hung on the tree and Sam's little train was under it. Now he would have a book for his parents.

"Mom and Dad will love this," Marcy said.

Sam gave her a big smile.

Christmas morning, Sam handed the present to his mother. She opened it and said, "Oh, my! Family memories from throughout the year. We will do this with your other pictures."

"Other pictures?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. "I've saved them all. We will have a library collection of all your artwork in book form."

"Really?" Sam was excited. "All of our memories in a book. Think of that," he said, ruffling Nutmeg's hair.

"Thanks to you and your great Christmas present idea," his dad said. "It is a wonderful family present."

Gee, Sam thought. He felt warm inside. At last he had come up with a gift to last beyond Christmas.

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