To spread some holiday cheer, I will be writing a new story every week that shows what Christmas is all about. So go grab a nice cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and read on to get into the holiday spirit.

The Pearl Snowflake

"Look at the race car my grandma sent me in the mail as an early Christmas present! It has flashing lights and a built in camera," says Stevie, the annoying kid in class.

"Well my grandma sent me $40 so that I can buy all of my Barbies new clothes," Lexie, the princess of the class says back.

Jasmine sits in class listening to all of her other classmates talk about their cool gifts while she contemplates if Santa will even be visiting her home this year. Her family was struggling with money this past year. Jasmine's dad owned an auto shop that wasn't doing so good and her mom got laid off from her corporate job. The light had been cut off twice last month and they had to go to her Aunt Joan's house to eat dinner every weekend.

"What about you, Jasmine? Did you get any early gifts?" Stevie asks.

"Um well, my grandma says she's going to braid my hair." The class starts laughing.

As the dismissal bell rings, Jasmine runs out of her seat and gets on the bus.

Why can't I have cool presents like Stevie and Lexie. She thinks to herself. The best gift I've ever gotten was a Barbie doll with clothes that made grandma sewed. Not the holiday edition one like the one Lexie has that comes with a sparkly red dress.

When she gets home, she finds her dad putting up Christmas lights with her brother, Max. She runs past them hoping they won't see her and ask her to help. She's scared of ladders and hates heights. The last thing she needed was to face one of her fears after a horrible day. As she sneaks past the kitchen, her mom spots her.

"Hey sweetie how was school?"

"It was cool mom, just really tired," she says as she holds back her tears until she gets to her room.

Once she's in her room, she shuts the door and sobs in her bed. A few minutes later, there's a knock on the door.

"Can I come in?" Her mom asks.

"No mom, I'm fine just tired."

Jasmine's mom walks in anyways, knowing her daughter had a bad day.

"Did those kids make fun of you again? You know I had a talk with your teacher last month about those ridiculous twins always making mean comments and pointing you out."

"Well mom they have a point. I don't always have the best clothes, I don't have a race car with a built in camera, and I don't have $40 to buy my Barbies new dresses. I'm just the loser in class that has no style," Jasmine says as she buries her face in her pillow.

"Hey, look at me," her mom says. "You are the smartest, coolest, and brightest little girl I know and I'm not just saying that because you're my daughter. Christmas isn't about gifts or money, it's about the magic that's all around you when you're with your loved ones. You know what, wait right here I'll be back."

Jasmine's mom leaves the room and comes back in after a few mins.

"Close your eyes and hold out your hand."

"Mom I don't want to see another magic trick. Grandpa already does enough of that at the Christmas party."

"Jasmine Cruz hurry up and close your eyes."

Jasmine holds out her hand and closes her eyes. Her mom places a small object in her hand that has a pin in the back.

"Now open it."

It's a small brooch in the shape of a snowflake. It has silver rhinestones and a small pearl in the center. It was the prettiest thing she had ever seen.

"This was my grandmother's. She wore it every year on Christmas and passed it on to me. She told me Santa made it just for her and gave it to her in person. That pearl in the middle came from Mrs. Claus' favorite pearl necklace."

"Really mom! Oh my gosh this is so cool! Thanks mom!" Jasmine exclaims as she hugs her mom.

The next day at school, Jasmine went to school wearing her brooch.

"Oh Jasmine that's so pretty! Where did you get that?" Lexie asks her.

"It was my great-grandmother's. She got it for Christmas when she was her age. Santa gave it to her in person and the pearl in the middle belonged to Mrs. Claus."

"Wow that's so cool! I've never had anything given to me in person by Santa," says Stevie.

"Yeah but Christmas isn't about gifts. It's about the people you spend it with."

"Yeah you're right Jas. I wish my grandma would come visit us instead of giving us early gifts. Want to play with my Barbie?" Lexie asks Jasmine.

"Sure let's play!"