Countdown to Christmas!, page 3
Dear Samantha Claus…
Sally wanted to write a letter to someone special. She looked through the living room drawers, looking for some extra-fancy stationery. After some thought, she decided on a design with a blue snowflake border.
Then she wandered around the house, looking for a good pen. Charlie Brown’s favorite pen was sitting on the dining room table. Sally took the pen, spread out the stationery, and sat down at the table. Now she was ready to start writing.
A few moments later, Charlie Brown walked into the dining room. “Have you seen my pen?” he asked.
“Nope,” Sally replied.
Charlie Brown looked at his younger sister and the pen she was holding. He sighed. Then he sat down and peered at the letter. It said: Dear Samantha Claus, how have you been?
“Samantha Claus?” Charlie Brown repeated.
“She’s the lady who brings us Christmas presents on a sleigh,” Sally told him.
“Does Samantha Claus wear a red suit and have a white beard?” Charlie Brown asked.
“The white beard is just sort of a disguise,” Sally replied.
Charlie Brown didn’t know what to say except, “Very clever.…” He sat in silence for a few moments while his sister continued to write.
“How would you like it if I asked her to bring you a new bicycle?” Sally asked.
Charlie Brown shrugged and then nodded.
Please bring my brother a new bicycle, Sally wrote.
Then Charlie Brown asked, “Does Samantha Claus say, ‘Ho, ho, ho’ when she laughs? Or does she say, ‘Who, who, who’?”
Sally stared at her brother. Then she shouted, “Children who make fun of Samantha Claus don’t get presents!”
Turning back to the letter, Sally wrote, Forget the bicycle!
“Good grief,” Charlie Brown sighed. It seemed like he wouldn’t be getting a new bicycle after all. Unless, of course, Santa Claus brought him one. Maybe he would be kind enough to bring Charlie Brown a new pen, too!
A Story for December 20
Pigpen’s Special Gift
Pigpen woke up in a great mood. Today was the day of Violet’s Christmas party! He couldn’t wait to see all his friends, play holiday games, and eat yummy treats. He decided not to take a bath, but dressed in his most fanciest of outfits.
I bet no one will even recognize me, he thought.
When Pigpen arrived at the party, he was so excited to see all his friends. And he had brought a special gift for Violet. But he couldn’t find her anywhere.
“Hello, Pigpen,” Charlie Brown said politely. “That’s a nice outfit you’re wearing.”
“Hi, Pigpen,” Sally said. “We were just about to have a dance party. Want to join us?”
After the dance party, it was time for cookie decorating. Pigpen looked around for Violet, but it seemed she was busy either answering the door or talking to the other guests. Oh well, he thought. I’ll just have to give it to her later. Pigpen started putting sprinkles and icing on a cookie shaped like a wreath.
“Move over, Pigpen!” Lucy shouted. “I can’t decorate the cookies with all these clouds of dust!”
“I’m sorry, Lucy,” Pigpen replied.
“Oh, never mind!” Lucy said. “I’m going to play a game!”
As she stomped away, Pigpen noticed that Violet was by a table of snacks, pouring a glass of punch and eating a gingerbread cookie.
Perfect! Pigpen thought. Now I can give Violet her special gift! He ran toward Violet.
“Merry Christmas, Violet,” he said. “I brought you a very special gift. I hope you like it.”
Violet grinned. “Gee, thanks, Pigpen,” she said. She opened the box.
“Is this what I think it is?” Violet asked, coughing away clouds of dust.
“Yup!” Pigpen replied. “It’s your very own bag of dust. Courtesy of yours truly!”
A Story for December 21
A Merry Bunny Christmas
It was a bright snowy day four days before Christmas. Charlie Brown was excited. Today he was going to make homemade Christmas cards for his friends with his best pal, Snoopy.
Charlie Brown put on his coat and snow boots and headed over to Snoopy’s doghouse. Snoopy was still fast asleep.
“Wake up, Snoopy!” Charlie Brown called. “We have to get started on making our Christmas cards!”
Snoopy sat up and yawned. Without having breakfast first? he wondered.
“Oh, wait,” Charlie Brown said. “I’m sure you would like your breakfast first.” He gave Snoopy a big bowl of his favorite dog food.
That’s more like it, Snoopy thought, chomping away happily.
After breakfast, it was time to start making Christmas cards! Charlie Brown set out a spread of construction paper, markers, stickers, sequins, and glue.
“Okay, Snoopy!” Charlie Brown said. “I’m going to start by making a card for Sally. What about you?”
Snoopy thought for a moment. My best friend, Woodstock, of course! he thought.
The two friends began to decorate their cards. Charlie Brown drew a giant Christmas tree on Sally’s card. Snoopy drew a giant bird’s nest filled with wrapped gifts for Woodstock. Then they made cards for the rest of their friends. They were having such a fun time!
Soon they were ready to start delivering their cards. Their first stop was Peppermint Patty’s house.
“Gee, thanks, Chuck,” Peppermint Patty said as Charlie Brown handed her a card decorated with sports equipment drawn in red and green. “I love it!”
Snoopy then handed Peppermint Patty the card that he had made. Peppermint Patty looked at it curiously.
“Um, thanks, Snoopy,” she said. Her card was yellow and was covered with flowers and bunnies. It looked more like an Easter card!
You’re welcome, Snoopy thought, smiling. Bunnies are my specialty!
A Story for December 22
The Perfect Gift Exchange!
Charlie Brown walked over to Snoopy’s doghouse. He had a small gift-wrapped box in his hands. “Here, Snoopy. This is for you,” he said.
Snoopy looked at the gift. There was a little card. It’s from Woodstock, he said to himself. How exciting! It's probably a fantastic gift, he thought. Woodstock does have great taste.
Snoopy excitedly tore the wrapping paper off the package. When he opened it up, he was very surprised. It was… birdseed!
Why on earth would Woodstock give me birdseed? Snoopy wondered. This is a terrible gift! He was very disappointed. Why would he give me something I can’t use? he said to himself. At least I put a lot of thought into HIS present!
Meanwhile, Woodstock was excitedly opening up his gift from Snoopy. He was sure Snoopy had bought him something wonderful.
Woodstock unwrapped his gift. It was… a dog bone!
Woodstock knew he had to be polite and say thank you. He would hide his disappointment and pretend he loved it. He brought the bone with him to Snoopy’s doghouse. Snoopy was on top of his doghouse, holding his gift from Woodstock. When he saw Woodstock holding the yummy dog bone that Snoopy had given him, Snoopy suddenly had an idea. He hoped Woodstock would go for it.
Woodstock was just about to say thank you when Snoopy blurted out, Do you want to trade? Woodstock agreed immediately. They happily traded their gifts.
We give the best gifts, Snoopy thought.
A Story for December 23
A Story for Sally
It was two days before Christmas. Charlie Brown and Sally had had a great day.
First they had gone to visit their grandmother, who had made them a delicious pre-holiday lunch of ham, mashed potatoes, and their favorite biscuits. Sally and Charlie Brown had just gotten home and put on their coziest pajamas. Now it was time for stories by the fire!
Sally was excited. She had a very special Christmas book she wanted to read with Charlie Brown. But she couldn’t find it anywhere! She looked under her bed, under the couch, and even under the Christmas tree. But there was no sign of it at all.
“Big brother!” Sally wailed. “I can’t find my book. Story time is ruined!”
“I’ll help you look, Sally,” Charlie Brown said. But he couldn’t find the book either.
Sally threw herself on the couch. “Everything is awful!” she cried. “I can’t find my special book, and I haven’t finished writing Christmas cards yet, and I still have to bake cookies for Linus!”
Charlie Brown thought for a moment. Then suddenly he had an idea.
“I know what we can do, Sally,” he said. “I bought a new book with the money that Grandma sent me for Christmas. I was saving it for us to read tomorrow night, but how about we read it now?”
Sally smiled. “Are you sure, big brother? Even though you were saving it to read on Christmas Eve?” She was starting to feel better already.
Charlie Brown nodded. “It will be a perfect ending to a perfect day.”
Snoopy was excited to hear the story too. He jumped on top of the chair above Sally and Charlie Brown. He started snoring seconds later.
“It was a dark and snowy night,” Charlie Brown began. “Santa and his reindeer were packing up the sleigh to begin their long journey of delivering presents to children all around the world.…”
A Story for December 24
Merry Christmas Eve!
“Tonight is the night!” Lucy shouted. “It’s Christmas Eve! Tonight Santa Claus zooms around the world, dropping presents down the chimneys for all the little kids!”
Linus was excited too. But he was also concerned about Santa’s long journey. “He sure has a lot of stops to make,” he commented. “Do you think he’ll have time to come to our house? I would understand if he doesn’t.”
“OF COURSE he will have time,” Lucy snapped. “He is Santa Claus! He can do anything. Plus, he’s got all those reindeer to help him out too.”
“I hope his reindeer are up for making the trip,” Linus said. “That sure is a lot of flying that they have to do.”
“Why are you trying to ruin Christmas?” Lucy shouted. “His reindeer rest all year for the big trip. They will be fine!”
“They must get cold flying, especially when it snows. I hope they have a trusty old blanket to keep them warm like I do,” Linus worried.
“Oh, good grief!” Lucy yelled. “You’ll use any excuse to bring up that ratty old blanket. Why don’t you leave it for the reindeer to take if you’re so worried about them!”
“I’m a thoughtful person, but there’s no way I can part with my blanket,” Linus said solemnly.
“Can we stop talking about this blanket already? Come on and help me put out cookies and milk for Santa. And carrots for the reindeer too,” Lucy said. “They also get hungry, you know!”
“That’s a good idea,” Linus said.
“Well, I’m so glad we can finally agree on something!” Lucy said. They put out a plate of cookies and a cold glass of milk for Santa. And a large dish of carrots for the reindeer.
“All right, all right, now let’s go to bed,” Lucy said. “Tomorrow’s the big day!”
Linus did what he was told. “Merry Christmas Eve to all, and to all a good night,” he said.
A Story for December 25
A Very Merry Christmas!
Finally the big day had arrived. It was Christmas Day! The Peanuts gang was so excited. After a busy morning spent opening gifts and having a yummy breakfast, they were going to meet at the park to go ice-skating, sing Christmas carols, and drink hot cocoa!
“Don’t you just love the fluffy new scarf Santa brought me?” Sally asked Charlie Brown, throwing her scarf around her shoulders.
“It’s very nice, Sally,” Charlie Brown said. “I really like my new hat that he brought me, too.”
Meanwhile, Lucy was anxious to get to the park. “Hurry up, Linus!” she shouted. “I want to try out my new ice skates!”
Schroeder was almost ready to leave for the park too. “I love the new songbook Santa got me,” he said. “It will be perfect for keeping track of the new songs I write.”
Soon everyone had arrived at the park.
“Merry Christmas, Chuck,” Peppermint Patty told Charlie Brown. “Do you like my new hockey stick?”
“Can we get on with the Christmas carols already?” Lucy shouted. “I really want to go ice-skating!”
Sally and Marcie handed out hot cocoa to everyone, and they all gathered around the Christmas tree, singing their favorite carols. It was the best Christmas Day ever!
Merry Christmas!
Mix-Up at the North Pole
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy’s Long List
Adapted by Maggie Testa
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Stocking Surprise
Adapted by Ximena Hastings
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy’s Big Day
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Sibling Squabble
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Great Christmas Cookie Debate
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Perfect Gift
Adapted by Maggie Testa
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Woodstock’s Decorating Dilemma
Adapted by Ximena Hastings
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Book for Charlie Brown
Adapted by Maggie Testa
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Sled for Linus
Adapted by Natalie Shaw
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Merry Christmas! Love, Snoopy
Adapted by Natalie Shaw
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Sally’s Perfect Day
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A School Surprise
Adapted by Ximena Hastings
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy’s Santa Surprise
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Sweater for Snoopy
Adapted by Natalie Shaw
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A December Birthday
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Dear Mr. Claus…
Adapted by Natalie Shaw
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Candy Cane Mystery
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Dear Samantha Claus…
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Pigpen’s Special Gift
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Merry Bunny Christmas
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Perfect Gift Exchange!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Story for Sally
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Merry Christmas Eve!
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Very Merry Christmas!
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
About the Author
Charles M. Schulz is a legend. He was the hand and heart behind fifty years of Peanuts, which featured one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable casts of cartoon characters, until his death in 2000.
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www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Charles-M-Schulz
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ISBN 978-1-5344-9698-9
ISBN 978-1-5344-9699-6 (ebook)
Charles M. Schulz, Countdown to Christmas!
