It was the weekend before Christmas. All of the Christmas cards had been displayed, the decorations had been hung, and the last few ornaments had been added to the Christmas tree. In the kitchen, Anne was preparing the soup for Christmas dinner, and in the oven a Pavlova was cooking. Silently, the front door opened, and Jim tried to escape without notice. However, the icy blast from the open door gave him away.
Looking towards the door, Anne said,"Jim, where are you going? It's dark, and it's snowing a blizzard." Jim replied in his smooth, calm voice, "It's okay, dear. I'm just popping out for a present." "What? We've bought all the presents. We don't need any more." By the front door, Jim shuffled his feet like a naughty schoolboy. This shopping trip was for her present.
He'd been asking Anne for the last couple of months what she would like for Christmas, and each time, the answer was the same, a gold necklace. Each time he asked he secretly hoped the answer might be different. Gold necklaces were not cheap, and their finances were a little strained. Just over a year ago, they had bought a new house, but changes in interest rates meant what had been a comfortable mortgage monthly repayment was now, well, let's just say things were tight. All the basics were covered, but a gold necklace, expenditure on this scale had not been budgeted for. But, if that was what Anne wanted, then that was what Jim was going to give her. Jim had just been paid. Money could be moved around, and they could tighten their belts another notch. After the struggles of the last year, Jim wanted Anne to have a lovely Christmas.
Jim popped his head into the kitchen, "It's okay, dear. Just one more present." Anne was tired, and wanted to sit down and rest, "Don't be daft. Sit down and peel the carrots." "I can't, it's for you. I need to go, now." he blurted, Anne looked at him in a quizzical manner, "What are you up to?" And that's when he explained he was off to buy her a gold necklace. So much for secrets! Anne stared at him, "We can't afford that!"
Puzzlement was written large on Jim's face, "But, but, every time I asked you said you wanted a gold neckless". Anne looked confused, and then exploded with laughter, "You silly man. I have no idea what I want, and a gold necklace - I might as well have asked for the moon. We can't afford a gold necklace, but I love you so much for wanting to buy me one."
Jim took off his coat, and started peeling the carrots. The grand plan had be scuppered. What to do, what to do? A few hours later, after Anne was asleep, Jim smiled. He had a new plan.
On Christmas morning, Jim told the story of the Christmas present, and proffered Anne two new presents, a box of Terry's All Gold Milk Chocolate, and a ball of string. He smiled as he explained he couldn't afford a real gold necklace, but now Anne had everything she needed to make her own.
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