#christmasstuff

@sewn-cutie

Nestor... really tried when it came to Clementine’s present. He did. He... really tried. It didn’t turn out the way he wanted. If it was for anyone else, he might never give it to him. But somehow, he has faith that Clementine will like this present anyway. Even though he messed up.

“Hey, Clementine... I have present for you.” He announces, nerves present in his tone. He’s still worried she’ll dislike it. Nestor wouldn’t blame her if she did. He didn’t wrap this... He doesn’t want her to get excited and then disappointed when she’s done tearing through the paper.

It’s a stuffed animal toy of some kind. It’s supposed to be an animal? Is it it a cat? It might be a cat. It’s shaped strangely. Seams have been ripped and resewn. It’s fallen apart a few times and had to be sewn back together again. It’s more study now, it shouldn’t fall to pieces.. Hopefully. Nestor doesn’t know why this was so hard to sew! Is sewing always this difficult?! Hjkhfdskf. He really tried!

“I made a friend too.” Nestor hoped the second one would look better so he tried again. He hoped he’d learned his mistakes from the first one and would be able to make a nicer plush toy. The second one looks fairly similar. It’s still shaped weird. It doesn’t look quite as worn from Nestor making mistakes and forcing to correct himself, though. The second cat looks a little better than the first. More like a cat.

Both toys are fairly large in comparison to Clementine. They’re about as big as she is! Maybe just a little taller! Each cat has different button eyes. Both are made of a stick, soft material. This wasn’t an easy material for someone so inexperienced to work with.

“And this.” Nestor gives Clementine a small box. The wrapping paper is pink and has little cupcakes on it. Inside the box she will discover some candies an cookies. Nestor made them with the help of Fethry, who much better at making food than Nestor is.

Slowly, José suddenly rises into Jessica’s view. Because she’s tall, he’s climbed onto a desk in order to slowly rise into her line of sight. Which is... tall.

“Merry holiday.” He announces happily and somewhat lazily. “For token of our long-lasting many years long friendship, I got you a lipstick.” And then he holds it out. Indeed, it is one (1) lipstick. Unwrapped. Just. One red lipstick.

Maude is another person Nestor was a bit anxcious about gathering gifts for. He loves her so much. He wants to get her something wonderful.

Why not get something useful? Supplies she might use in witchcraft? Of course, Nestor knows nothing about witchcraft, but thankfully he knows people who do. Fethry and Isbabella both served as consultants. With their guidance, he felt certain he would be able to get presents Maude would find useful.

Nestor gives her many different boxes. He tried to use wrapping paper Maude would like. Black paper, purple paper, green paper. There’s some Halloween themed wrapping paper! Halloween is over, but Maude loves it so much. Nestor thought she’d like something with a Halloween theme. Hopefully a reference to Halloween during Christmas doesn’t bother her.

Some of the boxes are filled with various herbs. Other boxes have rocks and gemstones. A few boxes have various different colored candles. She has a box filled with incense. There’s another box with essential oils inside. In every box is a little list that tells what exactly everything is. Nestor isn’t sure that is necessary. Maude is likely good enough to know what most of this is just by looking.

He’s also gotten her a few books. Hopefully she doesn’t already own all of these! Hopefully there’s some good stuff inside! A book about numerology, a book about astrology and a large book that explains all kinda of herbs in detail.

Hopefully some of this stuff brings Maude some joy. Nestor loves her so much.

Nestor has been waiting to give Zeca and Zico their gifts for a long time! Even though Nestor is fairly certain these gifts aren’t particularly good. How Nestor wishes he had the money to be able to.. for example... buy the boys an artisan violin or two pricey pieces of technology... But he can’t give them those things. He wants to give these boys the best in the world, but he can’t.

The boxes are wrapped in paper from different holidays. Nestor thought they wouldn’t mind the mismatched paper. Maybe it might actually amuse the boys somehow. He doesn’t have a lot of Christmasy-themed wrapping paper right now. After the holidays he’ll likely be able to get more and he’ll be ready for next year.

Each of the boys receives a laboratory type of toy that comes with various interesting kid-safe science experiments that should be harmless fun. Mixtures that will change color or fizz in an interesting way. Stuff that will create some interesting slime types of material. Each kid’s toy comes with unique and different experiments. Nestor suspects they’ll likely trade and combine.

Zeca receives lots of violin music CDs from a wide range of artists and composers. Kids still use CDs, right??? He’s fairly certain Aurora has a CD player somewhere. “I hope these might inspire you?” He says helplessly. Hopefully these CDs don’t backhand Zeca and make him frustrated that he can’t play that well yet.

He also gets a t-shirt with one of his favorite super heroes on it and an action figure to match the shirt.

Zico receives blank canvases. Nestor is certain an artist can always use more of those. He’s heard of artists who run out of surfaces to paint on painting over their old work. That would be a shame if Zico did something like that. All of Zico’s art is so good and it should be preserved!

Zico also receives a t-shirt with one of his favorite cartoon characters on it. He also gets a small stuffed toy of the character to match the shirt.

Though Nestor’s focus certainly seems to be on the kids... Nestor thinks it’s only right that kids are the focus on Christmas.... he definitely has something for Aurora too. “Don’t tell Zé I gave you this.” He advises quietly as he gives her a fairly small box. Which is actually wrapped with appropriate, seasonal gift-wrap.

Inside is a simple photo album that’s full of pictures of her brother over the years. None of these photos are anything Aurora has ever seen before. It’s a life that she’s been shut out of.

Many of them are pictures with friends. Many of them are taken at parties or gatherings. There are lots of photos of life events Aurora didn’t get to be part of. There’s an opening of a samba school. There are lots of pictures of various businesses Zé has started and later abandoned. Concerts he’s performed. There are travel photos. Photos of Zé and his friends having successfully climbed a mountain together. Aurora might have heard of some of these events, but she was never really aware most of this even happened.

No doubt this life seems to rich and interesting compared to her’s. These are pictures that look better than the reality, of course. Many of the events in these photos turned into horrible disasters.

There are a few less glamorous pictures. There feels to be a mocking tone to some of these images. Some of Zé all beat up in the hospital. There’s a photo with Zé screaming at a broken pipe that’s spaying him with water. There are pictures of Zé sleeping with drawings on his beak. There are lots of other pictures of Zé being pranked.

Lots of casual pictures. Pictures of Zé hanging around the apartment he used to live at with Nestor. Pictures of him playing various musical instruments. There are a few very old photos of Zé painting. There are pictures of him sleeping in his hammock. Pictures of Zé, Zico and Zeca together. There are lots of photos of the kids playing in the yard while Zé sleeps in his hammock. There are a few photos of the kids on outings with their uncle. Fun actives they did together while Aurora was busy. Outings Zé might have avoided if she came along.

Some people were easy to figure out presents for. Fethry and Dugan were not. And they are two very important people. It feels very important to get them good gifts. All Nestor can do is try his best and hope they like what they get.

There are multiple wrapped presents for both of them. Nestor uses wrapping paper he bought in bulk for extremely cheap, clearance prices. Or wrapping paper he was able to get for free. Christmas themed wrapping paper isn’t always easy for him to find for free or for cheap. Most of the wrapping paper is of a solid color or various patterns. There are a boxes in birthday themed wrapping paper.. Nestor assumed neither of them would mind. Nestor has so much birthday wrapping paper.

When Fethry opens his presents, two of the boxes have dresses inside. Fethry’s dress collection is small. Nestor assumed he’d like some more. And this seemed like a very obvious, easy way to show Nestor supports this aspect of Fethry. Feth had been so afraid to tell Nestor he likes wearing dresses.... “If you don’t like any of them, don’t be shy about letting me know. I think we can return them and get something else.” Nestor got all of these at a thrift store. In an ideal world, he’d get Fethry beautiful brand new dresses. But the world is not ideal. Nestor is very concerned about money.

Many of the dresses are of a heavy, soft fabric. They’re sweater-like. A few of them are made of a lighter fabric that might be more comfortable to wear in warm weather. Every dress has long sleeves. Fethry fiddles with his sleeves so much that Nestor can’t imagine Fethry enjoying wearing something sleeveless or with short sleeves. Some have floral patterns. Fethry really seems to like flowers. Others are a simple, solid bright color. One dress is very colorful. It’s almost like a rainbow.

Other gifts for Fethry include art supplies. Nestor figures Fethry could always use more art supplies. He checked what sorts of brands Fethry uses and tried to stick with what Fethry usually prefers for his art. It wouldn’t be any good to get art supplies Fethry is unfamiliar with and doesn’t like. Paints, colored pencils, pastels.

Another gift, in a smaller box..... is some pot. Nestor figures Fethry could always use some of that. He’d actually braved speaking to Gloria to find out what strain Fethry would like best.

One of Dugan’s gifts is unwrapped. It’s a tiny, round cactus in a small pot. It has a pretty red flower on the top of it. A funny story about this gift... Nestor attempted to shoplift it to save money. Don’t try to shoplift a cactus. “I hope you like it and can take good care of it. It’s the cutest looking cactus I saw.” Nestor felt like it would suit Dugan. Hopefully Dugan will agree.

Other gifts wrapped in boxes are mostly toys. Of course a kid should get lots of cool toys on Christmas! There’s a dart gun. Nestor knows he and Fethry will likely get hit with those darts. He already somewhat regrets giving that to Dugan.. but if Dugan has fun, that’s what matters. Besides, the darts are supposed to be soft and harmless. There are lots of little animal figurines. Animals of all kinds.

One very big box, when unwrapped, reveals a punching bag. Nestor has also gotten Dugan multiple inflatable toys who’s purpose is to be punched. The inflatables are not as sturdy as the punching bag. He suspects Dugan will be able to pop them. “Those are all for beating up.” He hopes Dugan will find some fun in these things and use them as an outlet for his aggression. Hopefully Dugan doesn’t disregard these gifts and only has interest in harming living people.

Happy holidays, Courage the cowardly extremely brave and tender-hearted dog! Nestor has a gift for you!

“I hope it is fitting.” Nestor says as he holds up a small, pink sweater. It looks very warm and snuggly. Nestor sees Courage shivering so much. He feels like this poor little pup frequently gets very cold! It’s fear, Nestor. He shivers with fear. When Courage wriggles into it, he will discover that the sweater does indeed fit. It’s very cozy.

Nestor also has a box for Courage. A present to unwrap! When his tiny little doggy paws shred through it all, he will discover dog treats! Home-made, delicious and decorated for Christmas! Fethry helped with making this, so it’s very tasty.