Concord, NC

December 26, 1940

Dear Mavis,

I think I can call this the end of a glorious Christmas day. The weather has not been very agreeable, as we were awakened this morning by a downpour of rain and has continued most of the day. Howard and Ruth brought Mac and Muriel out early this morning. We distributed the presents under the tree then had breakfast consisting of oysters, coffee and cake. Popa bought a gallon of oysters. We ate half of them for breakfast. We had invited Buren and family but Jerry wasn't able to come out so early. Just as soon as we finished breakfast most of us piled in the car and took Buren's presents to him. Jerry couldn't enjoy his things much for he felt bad. Santa brought him a pretty car, but he didn't care for it much. Douglas took his electric train to show it and Jerry seemed more interested in it than anything else. Ruth gave him a large rubber ball and he liked that. Buren gave Victoria an Elgin wrist watch. She was so surprised and pleased she hardly knew what to say. She gave Buren a Gladstone bag. They were going to her mother's for dinner but Buren or Jerry should not have gone out on a damp day like this. Buren has to cough and complains of his side. I am afraid he will develop pleurisy. Mac is going to go back to work in the morning. He looks pale and is not well yet.

Ruth's sister Francis and her husband were planning to be back from their honeymoon trip to Florida today and they were all to have dinner at Mrs. Stewarts together, after which Vera was to be married at 2 o'clock, but they received a wire yesterday that Francis was in a hospital in Waycross, Georgia suffering from injuries received in a wreck which tore up their car. He husband wasn't hurt much. So I know Mrs. Stewart's Christmas has been spoiled. Howard and Ruth were going to take Vera and her husband to Charlotte to catch a bus going somewhere. Ruth said they weren't going far.

Howard gave Ruth a quilted lounging robe. She was well pleased with it. She got a kick from the way we gave our presents this morning. Their family always gives theirs before Christmas. Papa and I gave them a double blanket. They gave Papa a shirt and pair of overalls. Muriel gave him a shirt. Harding gave a tie and socks. The kids gave two pair of socks. Buren gave him an everyday sweater. Uncle Jim sent him and Harding each two pair of socks. Ruby L. sent me mose and Dulcie pajamas. Uncle Jim sent Muriel a pretty table cloth. Howard and Ruth gave me a five dollar bill and Dulcie a slip. Buren gave me an everyday dress and underwear. Muriel gave me underwear. Harding gave me a slip. Papa gave me a pair of glasses. Buren gave Dulcie a pretty reading lamp. Muriel gave her a slip. She is thrilled over everything. I promised to get her a sweater if she didn't get one for Xmas, so I guess I'll have to go shopping for one. Stewart and Gladys came on a day sooner than expected. Elwyn sent us a five pound box of candy yesterday. Stewart hadn't seen them for a week but supposed they were well.

Buren gave Jo a little suitcase. Ruth gave her a slip and gloves. Nora gave her cloth for a dress. I gave her bedroom slippers. Santa brought her a locket. Doug got a train and watch. Howard gave him overalls. Muriel said she came home one night feeling so tired and blue. She looked at the mail and read your card. Said she jumped up and hollered. Mac asked what on earth was the matter. She told him why she was so excited.

Howard gave Kent a shirt. They gave Muriel a dozen towels and Buren a half dozen. Papa and I gave Buren's a pink sheet and pillowcases to match. Buren gave Harding, Mac and Howard gift packages of razor blades, skin bracer or lotion. So you see we had plenty of gifts and a jolly time exchanging them. We have a pretty tree filled with lights. I was glad to hear from the broadcasts over the radio that they were observing Christmas in the war area to the extent that they were not bombing any places, which might be the beginning of peace. Lots of love and best wishes for the new year. We have missed you but hope you have been happy.

Mother