The Christmas season finds the citizens of Walnut Grove in the most kindest and generous of spirits. For example, Nellie was hoping Laura would be generous enough to sell her Bunny, but the pony was not for sale. Laura then says she hates Nellie, and while I agree Nellie is a horrible kid, I have to say Laura was very mean to her in this scene. But girls will be girls; each Ingalls family member, except little oblivious Carrie had a secret stash of money with which to buy gifts. The only question was: what kinds of gifts do they want? A couple of hints were dropped, such as Caroline admiring a petite stove at Oleson's Mercantile, but it cost $7.00 (a lot of money back then). Getting a notion on how to raise a few extra bucks, Charles takes on a part time gig as a wheelwright, fixing a set of buckboard wheels for one of Nels Oleson's customers for $8.00, and Mary also finds a job doing knitting for a Mrs. Whipple, the seamstress. It seemed everybody had a plan for Christmas except Laura. This whole concept was still new to her.
Oleson's Mercantile became quite the hot spot (only store in town, so it's not surprising), everybody coming in just find the right gift. Having finally gotten a Christmas secret of her own, Laura goes in to talk to Nels, and even Carrie buys a tree star with a newfound penny. As for Charles, he'd finally finished the wagon wheels and in lieu of the $8.00 payment, he wanted the stove, but Nels informed him it was not for sale, that somebody else bought it and he was merely holding it (so why didn't he put it in the back room?). Charles was heartbroken, but determined to get a stove so he made Nels order one and in the meantime, he'd take the page in the catalog as a hold over. As for Christmas turkey, Charles trudges all the way to what looks like Alaska and shoots one. After dinner, the Ingallses get a surprise visit from Nels bringing a helluva big box. Laura knew what it was, and Charles thought he did: Nels changed his mind and let him have the stove. Was he right? Well, the very next day was Christmas. Terrific gifts were given all around: for Charles, a knitted scarf from Laura and a flannel shirt from Mary. For Mary, a fur coat from Ma and Pa. For Laura, a saddle...which may or may not prove useless now. For Baby Jesus, a star from Carrie. and last but not least, Caroline's ginormous gift: the stove, and it was from Laura. So now, the secret was out: Laura traded Bunny to Nellie for the stove, and nobody was any the wiser. So even though Charles' hard work on the wheels and saddle was in vain, he was still happy to do it for the family he loved and who loved him, and it was a merry first Christmas at Plum Creek.
A very merry episode in deed. No real drama, no real dilemmas, just happiness and cheer, which is what Christmas is really all about. It was true Gift of the Magi style when Laura traded off her pony and then got a saddle for Christmas, and Charles was under the delusion he had gotten Caroline the stove when it was in fact Laura, but a great time was still had by all; This is one to watch around Christmastime. It's very bright, colorful and cheery, like Christmas should be. So, if you want a break from the tearjerker, dramatic episodes and want something happy and cheerful for a change, "Christmas at Plum Creek" is a winner.
Oleson's Mercantile became quite the hot spot (only store in town, so it's not surprising), everybody coming in just find the right gift. Having finally gotten a Christmas secret of her own, Laura goes in to talk to Nels, and even Carrie buys a tree star with a newfound penny. As for Charles, he'd finally finished the wagon wheels and in lieu of the $8.00 payment, he wanted the stove, but Nels informed him it was not for sale, that somebody else bought it and he was merely holding it (so why didn't he put it in the back room?). Charles was heartbroken, but determined to get a stove so he made Nels order one and in the meantime, he'd take the page in the catalog as a hold over. As for Christmas turkey, Charles trudges all the way to what looks like Alaska and shoots one. After dinner, the Ingallses get a surprise visit from Nels bringing a helluva big box. Laura knew what it was, and Charles thought he did: Nels changed his mind and let him have the stove. Was he right? Well, the very next day was Christmas. Terrific gifts were given all around: for Charles, a knitted scarf from Laura and a flannel shirt from Mary. For Mary, a fur coat from Ma and Pa. For Laura, a saddle...which may or may not prove useless now. For Baby Jesus, a star from Carrie. and last but not least, Caroline's ginormous gift: the stove, and it was from Laura. So now, the secret was out: Laura traded Bunny to Nellie for the stove, and nobody was any the wiser. So even though Charles' hard work on the wheels and saddle was in vain, he was still happy to do it for the family he loved and who loved him, and it was a merry first Christmas at Plum Creek.
A very merry episode in deed. No real drama, no real dilemmas, just happiness and cheer, which is what Christmas is really all about. It was true Gift of the Magi style when Laura traded off her pony and then got a saddle for Christmas, and Charles was under the delusion he had gotten Caroline the stove when it was in fact Laura, but a great time was still had by all; This is one to watch around Christmastime. It's very bright, colorful and cheery, like Christmas should be. So, if you want a break from the tearjerker, dramatic episodes and want something happy and cheerful for a change, "Christmas at Plum Creek" is a winner.
