“It is clear,” Jo began, “we all have our own problems we go through day after day, and that is why we are going to buy something nice for ourselves this Christmas; something that will ease us and cause our troubles to melt away.”
Meg nodded in approvement and started towards the door. “Well, off to get myself what I rightfully deserve. No need to wait.”
All the sisters got up, following their eldest sister’s lead out the tiny door, into the icy air. It chilled their bones as Amy clung to Beth for warmth. They nodded at each other then started walking, determined to get what they wanted.

Jo scanned the bookshelves of the run down store, which seemed rather a shack with the winds beating upon it, in hopes of finding Undine and Sintram. She glanced out of the ice covered window and saw a poor-looking woman buying a famished boy food to fill his stomach. Jo saw the woman’s face brighten as she did the selfless deed and inside, Jo also smiled with a newborn idea in her head. She picked up a nearby lovely composition of music. “Oh, Beth would just love this…”
Jo slapped her dollar on the counter and ran out with the music, knowing she was able to put aside her own greed so she could make someone she cared about happy.
Meanwhile, Meg pranced about the most beautiful shop in town, millions of diamond earrings and necklaces sparkling around her, flowy, floral, frilly dresses all about. How she ached for them, but of course she could never have them. Then, her eye caught a young man who was, well, reading! Not just any book though. He was reading Undine and Sintram!
“Hello,” spoke Meg to the young man, “My sister has wanted that book for so very long. Is there any chance you may lend it to me?” she continued leaving her fancies behind and remembering the conversation in the house.
“You could have it,” the man replied, “but with the price of  a dollar.” He winked.
Meg handed over her dollar and took the book. She couldn’t afford anything else in the shop anyways. Might as well spend it on Jo, if anyone.

“So much music!” Beth whispered to herself. She had finally made it to the Art’s shop. She had walked past the drawing section to get to her beloved music. However, she suddenly stopped and walked backwards to the drawing section and stared at a single box of Faber’s drawing pencils. “Exactly what Amy wanted...and it’s the last pack,” Beth thought to herself, “Giving is always better than getting. Besides, it’s Christmas. We should all share the love of family.”
“Don’t move an inch,” Beth whispered to the music compositions, as if they could hear, “I’ll come back for you next year.” With that, she bought the pencils and left, not even thinking twice of her sacrifice.

Amy trudged back home through the slushy snow, soaking her boots which were already falling apart. She didn’t care. She couldn’t find her pencils in any store. She had searched and searched and now she was going to go back home empty handed to throw a huge fit while her sisters enjoyed their money’s worth...or perhaps not. A small, dirty girl, probably eight years old looked at Amy with wide, pleading eyes.
“Please buy a necklace for a dollar,” she begged and held out a skinny, freezing hand. In it was a necklace; not a very impressive necklace, but it was decent with a smooth blue stone at it’s core.
Amy looked at it and sighed. She handed her dollar to the small girl, who bounced up and down with joy. If she couldn’t have what she wanted, she might as well do something nice for her sister. Amy thought she would give the necklace to Meg because Meg loves small luxuries like it.

The four sisters were in for a big surprise. Little did they know, this would be the best Christmas of their lives.