My entry for Susanna Hill’s 6th Annual Holiday Contest (259 words) along with some very quick sketches. I found the format to be a bit challenging & some of the days might need explanation if you’re not from NB! I hope you’ll take the time to read some of the other entries over on Susanna’s Blog.
The rules: Write a children’s holiday story (children here defined as approximately age 12 and under) using the basic format/concept of The Twelve Days Of Christmas! Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 300 words. ENTRIES TO BE POSTED BY MON, DEC 12TH.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN NEW BRUNSWICK
Last year my parents said to me, “We’re going to spend Christmas ‘down home’ with your grandparents in New Brunswick.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“You don’t mess with tradition,” I spouted, “unless it’s a trip to Disney!”
Dad frowned.
“Watch your tone young man.” Alas, I had no choice. 13 days before Christmas I boarded a plane.
Twelve days before Christmas my grandma fed me 12 Mrs. Dunster’s Donuts.
Eleven days before Christmas my sister gave to me 11 potato chips.
Ten days before Christmas my mom took me to see 10 works of art.
Nine days before Christmas my brother shared 9 chocolates from Ganong.
Eight days before Christmas I helped my uncle haul 8 loads of logs.
Seven days before Christmas grandpa drove me over 7 covered bridges.
Six days before Christmas my aunt took me to see 6 great whales at the NB museum. So cool!
Five days before Christmas great-aunt gave to me 5 fresh lobsters. Yuck.
Four days before Christmas my father took me on 4 freezing ferries. Brrr.
Three days before Christmas my cousin taught me 3 french words. (Bonjour, merci, and salut.)
Two days before christmas I got to feed 2 chickadees.
On Christmas Eve I left Santa a bowl of Chicken Bones and a cup of tea because I thought it might be a nice change from milk and cookies.
On Christmas morning I found Santa’s note:
Dear Jim,
I hope you enjoyed getting to know your roots. I certainly enjoyed the Chicken Bones. Merry Christmas!
Your Pal,
Santa
Hope you Enjoyed! Have a Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!!!
Marla Lesage 
The chicken bones sound delicious. Good luck and happy holidays!
I love how specific this is to this one place. It makes me want to discover this part of the world.
Covered bridges, lobsters, ferries, logs, and chickadees remind me of years spent in Maine. Thanks for the memories. Best of luck and happy holidays!
I love your unique story, Marla…it’s always fun to get a peek into the traditions of other cultures. And the chicken bones could be really useful if you made a pot of soup with them. 😉 Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
I really like the family history concept of your story! Joyeux Noel, Marla 🎄
How lovely. Nice that he learned his family history and helped Santa with a new experience too!
That actually sounds like a lot of fun: covered bridges, great whales, and fresh lobsters. Oh my!
I love this Marla! You are so creative!
Jill
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What a fabulous idea you brought to writing your story for Susanna Hill’s Holiday Contest! Best of luck on this creative tale.
What a sweet, clever story! Best of luck to you!
I love the details in this story, Marla! You really brought your characters and setting to life — well done!
This was such an interesting story, and so specific to NB. I love that Santa got Chicken Bones and Tea, I’m sure it was a nice change. Good luck to you in the contest!
What a fun use of the 12 Days format, Marla! A boy who comes to appreciate his roots, an educational story, and an introduction to a new kind of chocolate! What could be better? 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the fun, and Happy Holidays!
I love the cultural / regional elements you brought to the story plus the emotional arc of having to be away from home for Christmas!