A Night before Christmas by Maud Van Buren

Name: A Night before Christmas
Author: Maud Van Buren

A storm strands the carriage of a wealthy young woman whom Peter calls the Princess near the small cottage of sisters Jenny and lame Jinny, whose mother is away nursing a sick neighbor. The Princess takes shelter in their warm but shabby home, where the girls are preparing a modest Christmas with a tiny decorated cedar bush, popcorn, bean soup, dumplings, and hopeful make-believe because they expect no presents. Delighted by the children’s warmth and bravery, the Princess joins them for supper, helps pop corn, and plays games. She reveals that, despite her beautiful clothes and riches, she has lived lonely in a great house and longs for the comfort of a mother and sister. Learning that the girls’ mother has lacked sewing work, she promises her sewing enough to keep her busy until spring. When Peter cannot free the carriage and snow begins, the Princess chooses to remain overnight. Secretly, she resolves to give the sisters the presents intended for other children. Peter brings a great tree, holly, mistletoe, and her trunk, from which she produces Teddy-bears, fairy books, candy, and silver bells to transform the cottage for Christmas. The girls’ exhausted mother returns and is overwhelmed by the sight. The Princess explains herself, and the two women find in each other the family affection they have lacked: the little mother embraces the lonely Princess, while the Princess weeps on her shoulder. Together they make plans for the mother’s work. On Christmas morning, Jenny and Jinny discover the Teddy-bears and enjoy a day of gifts, candy, a successful chicken dinner, and a ride in the Princess’s sleigh. Before leaving, the Princess promises that Peter will bring them to her house every Saturday, invites the family to her spring wedding, and happily arranges to share both their mother and Peter with the children.

By Maud Van Buren · First published 1927 · Genre: Christmas Fiction, Children's Literature, Sentimental Fiction · 4,055 words

First lines

_Temple Bailey_

It was the night before Christmas -- and stormy.[12]

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A Night before Christmas is listed on Textopian as a short story by Maud Van Buren, dated 1927 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Maud Van Buren
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Christmas Fiction, Children's Literature, Sentimental Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Holiday Romance
Length: 4,055 words
Structure: 1 section, 107 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Christmas Fiction — The story is set on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, centering on a tree, gifts, stockings, holiday meals, generosity, and the creation of a joyful Christmas for two poor children.
Children's Literature — Its child-centered characters, warm moral lesson, playful games, simple dialogue, and accessible storytelling style suit young readers.
Sentimental Fiction — The narrative emphasizes tenderness, loneliness, sympathy, family feeling, charitable giving, and emotionally satisfying reconciliation across social differences.
Domestic Fiction — Much of the action occurs in the modest cottage and focuses on home-making, meals, caregiving, sewing, family bonds, and the transformation of a household into a loving home.