A Queer Christmas by Maud Van Buren

Name: A Queer Christmas
Author: Maud Van Buren

Betty and Bob, twins staying at Uncle Ben’s farm while their mother recovers from illness, face a disappointing Christmas morning. They are relieved by a special-delivery letter saying that their mother is out of danger and that they will return home in a month, but they miss the shopping, parties, snow, presents, and charitable gift-giving of Christmas at home. With no stores nearby and no poor family they know to help, Bob calls it the strangest Christmas he has ever seen. Betty’s gift of a blue ribbon for Buddy the collie gives her an idea. With Uncle Ben’s permission, Bob cuts a small Christmas tree from the pasture, while Betty gathers supplies from the attic, cellar, and barn. She makes seven gray flannel catnip mice with button eyes for the farm cats. Together the twins decorate a tree in the barn with gifts for the animals: meat for Buddy; catnip mice and milk for the cats; carrots, apples, and sugar for Mollie and Duke; cornstalks for the cows; and corn for the hens. After dinner, Uncle Ben, Aunt Martha, and the children hold their animal Christmas party. Buddy takes his meat away to eat, the horses accept their treats, cats and kittens play with their mice, cows chew cornstalks, and Betty feeds the hens. A wild gray squirrel enters the barn and eats spilled corn beneath the tree, prompting Betty to call him their “poor family.” The twins then hear their father calling from the yard. He has arrived with Uncle Tom, who carries bundles for them. Uncle Tom quickly redecorates the tree with presents: books, snowshoes, a red silk umbrella for Betty, skating boots for Bob, candy, and gold pieces. Most precious is their mother’s note saying she is truly better and wishing them a merry Christmas. As their father and Uncle Tom leave for home, Bob concludes that Christmas has not been so queer after all.

By Maud Van Buren · First published 1927 · Genre: Children's Literature, Christmas Fiction, Holiday Fiction · 2,106 words

First lines

_Marian Willard_

It was Christmas morning -- the very day when twins should be having the / merriest time in the world. But Betty and Bob were not merry at all; / they sat and looked at each other and hardly knew whether to laugh or / to cry.

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What this Textopian page supports

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

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Maud Van Buren
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Christmas Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Short Story, Domestic Fiction
Length: 2,106 words
Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for A Queer Christmas by Maud Van Buren
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The story centers on young twins, uses accessible language and a simple moral structure, and emphasizes kindness, family, and holiday generosity.
Christmas Fiction — Its plot takes place on Christmas Day and revolves around creating a meaningful celebration despite disrupted expectations.
Holiday Fiction — Christmas customs, gift-giving, family reunification, seasonal charity, and festive domestic activities organize the narrative.
Short Story — This is a brief, self-contained narrative with a single-day setting, a focused conflict, and a warm resolution.