Holly and Stephanie confronted their mother in the kitchen as Holly shoved a gaily wrapped gift at her. “It’s from Uncle Matt,” she said as steam drifted from her ears and lightning flashed from her blue eyes.
“Oh dear,” their mom said. “I’m sorry, but he is your uncle, so you’ll have to open it in front of him.”
“Last year it was a disembodied head,” Holly hissed.
“That actually spoke,” Stephanie bubbled.
“The year before it was a cursed locket,” Holly cried.
“That made you fart when you laughed,” Stephanie squealed happily. “He told the funniest stories that year!”