The idea struck me while I was scurrying from the gym to the subway, my hood pulled down tight over my wet hair, face bent down away from the wind. I choked a laugh in to my scarf. Then I dug around in my bag for my cell phone and, yanking off a mitten with my canine teeth, henpecked a text message to my sisters.
The responses were synchronized and immediate. Game on.
On Christmas morning, we woke up, stumbled to the bathroom one by one and then locked ourselves in the guest room. After a quick flurry of rustling crinolines and giggling, the door was unlocked. Mom was stirring a pot of cocoa when her four girls emerged, rubbing at sleepy eyes and tucking wild strands of bed head behind their ears. Mom’s spoon halted in its stirring.
“What is this? What’s going on? You look so pretty!â€ù
We ignored her and headed into the living room where we gathered up our stockings and made ourselves comfortable. Comfortable as girls in satin, boning and yards and yards of tulle can be. I tugged at my long black gloves and dug around in my stocking for a chocolate something or other, while Mom scurried around the room, in total bemusement, fingers fluttering near her mouth, unsure of what to say.
“Merry Christmas,â€ù she said finally.
“Don’t you mean, Merry Princess?â€ù Nora corrected her, dramatically smoothing the skirt of her baby blue prom dress and blinking coquettishly.
We fell into giggles. Mom still stood there looking shocked.
“Mom, why don’t you go get your wedding dress on? Otherwise, you’re going to feel really out of place.â€ù
When StepBob came in from getting the paper a few minutes later, he looked around at the five of us in our formal wear, shrugged and disappeared into the bedroom. He came out wearing a fedora.
The Hunters are a family of teasers, goofballs and shenanigan lovers. And we have always been this way. If a holiday calls for turkey and the trimmings, we’re sitting down to homemade Mexican food and gloppy chocolate shakes mixed up in the blender. And from now on, when we open our Christmas Eve pajamas, I don’t think a single one of us will have the slightest intention of wearing them the next morning.
Merry Princess, indeed.
love it. I laughed out loud.
purple. teffeta.
Love it! Hope you took pictures!
HA! That’s great… and I second the remark about pictures.
love it.
(Once went bowling in formal wear. Because we were bored.)
Haha, I so want to do that now.
Fabulous. Simply fabulous.
wow…I am so jealous! Just another reason my parents should have given me sisters instead of brothers.
That’s great, sounds total like a blast!
So, umm, will you marry me?
Make with the photos!
Hee hee. Goldner said “make”.
hahaha! That’s awesome!
This is the best Christmas post I have read yet. Absolutely fun! Absolutely Jealous I am!
Keep laughing and smiling! Only more to come in 2007 (and StepBob playing along? Had me spitting coffee on my keyboard)!
OMG that’s awesome!!! Tell me you brought one home! I have a black Ralph Lauren prom dress in my closet that would LOVE to come out and play.
oh! and I hate you for fitting into your high school finery.
I am so in love right now it isnt even funny. Can I please please please be part of your family???
Love the StepBob’s reaction, and joining right in. Perfect.
’cause some days and some moments require satin and lace, after all, we are ladies. and some moments need to be spiced up even more, and a fine or loved dress will do that.
I love it! My best group of girlfriends in college were known for our escapades in pajamas (to the movies, out forbrunch, etc.). You guys completely flipped it. Merry princess indeed!
How fun!
That sounds like an absolutely PERFECT Christmas!
What a cool idea! I love it!
I love it! My sister and I will have to try this one out!
Loved reading this. it is the only laugh i had this christmas season. so thankssss
That’s great! I’m definitely going to have to suggest this! Pictures please!
Awww, how fun! You just needed fondue instead of a Christmas lunch, too!
I was just talking with a friend about how there aren’t enough occasions to wear pretty dresses anymore…well done
i love it – what a fab idea!
That’s hilarious. I wish my family had that sense of humor.
lol! r u guys cool or what!
any pics?
I like Bob.
Tee hee! Funny!
Cheers,
Crissy
and I thought that insisting that one wear any and all ribbons and bows that come on each gift was fun — you beat that hands down!