From 8-year old Hilda’s diary:
I don’t know what to do? If I don’t take the money from Grandfather I can’t give away any presents except the pen wipers and the catnip. If I do take it, Alma says she will help me think of ever so many nice presents for everybody. She says that Brownie doesn’t need a rain coat, she will show me how to make him a pretty new blanket out of pink and blue wool that I have right in my sewing basket. Now it is time for bed and I still don’t know what to do about Tante Esther and Uncle Felix but I’ll think about it tomorrow after dancing school. Tomorrow is the Christmas pageant. I am going to be dressed as a shepherd only I won’t have any lambs but I’ll be carrying a crook. I love the story of Christmas. I love to think of the little Christ child born in a nice warm manger and all the darling animals coming to look at him and the Three Wise Men coming so far to see the baby and the North Star shining so brightly. I like to think about snow and singing Christmas carols and Christmas trees. Alma taught me some beautiful carols, “Adeste Fedelis”, “Deck the Hall with Myrrh and Holly”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Grandfather taught me “Stille Nacht.” That is a lovely German Christmas carol.