//------------------------------//
// Present 
// Story: The Holiday Experience 
// by Lulamoon-Crystal 
//------------------------------//

It was time for the gift giving to begin. Ponies were gathered around the tree, waiting excitedly on what their gifts would be and who their secret Santa was. Of course the gifts weren’t there yet. But ponies were still excited to see what was about to happen. 

Many gasped in delight as they saw Izzy and Hitch run towards the area in front of them. One dressed in a Santa costume and the other dressed as a reindeer. Carrying sleighs filled with presents behind them, the crown watched with awe. Excited to be gifted.

Onyx smiled slightly, Izzy seemed so happy doing this. Next to her was Dapple, smiling with excitement, his face just screamed he was excited for what was about to come up. It was nice to see him smile after his incident a few days ago. Onyx hoped she'd see him happy again. Even tho her face didn't show it, she was so glad and happy for him. Wondering what he'd get!

Haven tapped her hooves in excitement as she watched Izzy jump over to Posey to give her a gift. Not because she was her secret santa assignment, she was not, but it was because she was excited to see her assignment get their gift, she was also joyed to think about what she could get. 

She didn't want anything crazy or expensive. Like some ponies would think. She didn't enter to receive something fashionable or rare. She did it just for fun! She didn't care if was going to get something like a scrapbook or a plant. Or some sort of silly decoration. 

“Oh Alphie! I just cant wait to see what we get!”She bounced with joy slightly. Cloudpuff barking as a result. Unfortunately, being a dog meant he could not really take part in the event.





“Feel free to start opening your gifts!” Hitch said before he started digging into his. “Wh-what?” He looked at his gift. A dancing flower that would ‘sing’ any song assigned to it via an app on a phone. Hitch snickered a little as he looked at it. The flower had a pair of eyes and a mouth. “Oh, this is adorable!” He exclaimed at his silly but decent gift.

Next to Haven were her two guards. Thunder ripped open his present with joy. A pair of custom sneakers with an ice pattern with “Thunder” on the side. “Aww my goodness!” Exclaimed Thunder. “Thank you so much!” 

Next to him was Zoom. Looking around, puzzled.Wondering where her box was, she watched in confusion as Zipp zoomed past on her new skateboard that was designed for more weather and terrain than a normal skateboard was. “Thanks Zoom!” She cried out.

She watched as Queen Haven gently opened her gift. Not noticing Rocky a few feet away watching nervously. Before smiling at her. The queen slowly opened a box, inside was a pair of snowboots that could be replaced at the bottom to become regular boots or ice skates. Depending the attachments, you put on. There was also a small box of handmade cookies and a lil costume for Cloudpuff “Oh! These will come in handy!”She exclaimed, excited try them out some time.

Rocky grinned happily and sighed in relief. Jazz playfully nudged him a little “My my, you gave Cloudpuff a gift, too? Thats sweet, Rocky!” She bumped him and looked down at the box he was yet to open. He seemed a bit excited. But he seemingly wanted to not risk watching Haven open hers.

Alphabittle laughed a little at his beanie and scarf he received. The beanie had a reindeer face and antlers on them. The scarf was so soft, bigger and felt warmer than his usual one. It seemed hoof-knitted, too! There were a few minor errors, but they didn't matter much, wasn't like he was entering to expect a golden teapot or something. 

He smiled adoringly at the scarf. There were tiny, little bunnies on them with a snow theme. “Aww..” He smiled, then noticed a blanket at the bottom. Decorated with teacups and teapots. “Wow! He smiled. “My secret santa sure wanted to spoil me.”

Haven smiled hearing what he said. It wasn't from her, but seeing how happy he was just made her happy, too. He could tell there was no regrets.

“Where'd you get those knitting skills from, Hitch?” Smiled Izzy, knowing she's learning something new about what one if her friends liked. “Oh… Well.. I got advice from Grandmare Figgy. So she taught me to knit… I kinda already had an idea, but my skills were rusty. But i am glad I was able to do it!” He smiled proudly. 




After most the gifts were open. Hitch diverted everyone's attention to Sunny. It was time for the amazing star Izzy had made herself to be put on the top. She had asked her friend, Sunny to do it for her. Due to her not having as much of part in the planning of the Secret Santa. Or even any of the events at all!

Sunny was halfway up the tree. Everyone watched in awe as she reached the crystal star towards the top of the tree. But then something caught her eye. Everypony’s face was filled with awe and cheer, excited to see what made this star so special. Except for one. Zoom, the royal guard. She wasn't looking very excited, she looked miserable. She did look like that sometimes, but during events shes known to at least smile a little when theres no threat around.

Sunny’s heart dropped as she saw her. It didn't feel right to put the star on when someone was troubled. It just didn't feel right tp just ignore them and go on like they were okay. She had the urge to figure it out. “Excuse me everypony, sorry!” She exclaimed as she flew back down. Next to Hitch, who was a little puzzled on her return. 

“What's the matter, Sunny?” Hitch asked. 

“Its just that…" Sunny then realised she hadn't seen either Hitch, Izzy or anyone else give her a gift. "Who was Zoom’s secret santa this year? Shes looking very down because I think she didn't get a gift…”

“What!?” Izzy exclaimed in horror. “No wonder shes so… blue- more than usual…”

Hitch gasped in worry as he saw the guard stand around. Looking a bit glum as she watched everyone with their gifts. “But everyone told me they got one… Except her… I just hope the pony hasn't decided to just because… Some racism or grudge…” 

Izzy was hurt “Somepony would do that? But why?” She wondered. One the day of the assignments being handed out, ponies were allowed to swap if they got someone they didn't like!

Zipp raced over on her new skateboard. Stopping it just before hitting Hitch. Who proceeded to jump back in shock of nearly being hit. “It was Lemon Squeeze that got assigned to Zoom. I remember her asking who she was, and I answered!”

Hitch shook his head. “Lemon Squeeze came to me the two days later asking to be swapped. I… I told her we couldn't but… She really didn't want to for some reason, apparently she looked too serious or something!”

“But… Where is she now?”Asked Izzy, “Thats so mean! Zoom did nothing wrong, she does a good job in doing what she is told to do. Even if its putting a tennis ball on my horn…”

“I’ll go talk to her.” Hitch stated. "I'll sort it out..."





Onyx looked down at the sweater she revived. It was the same colour as he hat. It had a picture of an onyx gemstone and the word “Onyx” above it.

“I love it.” She said calmly.

Dapple noticed, adjusting his coffee coloured cape that had coffee means pictured on it. “Nice sweater, Onyx.” He smiled at her. Admiring her sweater that looked all snuggly on her. She looked so warm and cozy. Even if her nearly bored looking face didn't really show it. She was clearly enjoying it.

The two looked at each other briefly and back at the tree, enjoying each other’s company. This was not really Bridlewood. But the view in Maretime Bay wasn't too bad. Bit better in summer but both Onyx and Dapple thought it was pretty. They heard that watching the sun set from the beach was great. Maybe they should try it once. 

Dapple was about to say something. Only to be disturbed by a nearby pony screaming. Who was known as Jazz. She was holding up a box hear her friends, Rocky and Dahlia. Who were shocked by her loud, excited scream of delight.

"Jazz! I know you're excited. But calm down!"

“Look what Onyx got me!” She screamed in delight. Before watching Rocky finally begin tearing the wrapping paper from his own gift. It was huge, he guessed what it could be. He grew more and more excited as he undid the ribbon and ripped away at the paper. Seeing the box more clearly as he did so. 

What could it be?

An ice cream machine? A pop corn maker? A bunch of music albums he doesn't have that are from his beloved bands!? As he completely stripped the whole thing of wrapping paper. His mouth dropped on shock as his eyes went wide in surpise. 

“No way…” He said with a giant grin.

He pulled out a customised guitar. His one was stolen from the salon a few weeks ago before he was about to do a song there with Jazz. It was heartbreaking because he had that one since his teens.

But this new one was pretty. There was a golden pair of wings pictured on the bottom. Just like his own gorgeous golden wings! The guitar was a dark brown colour that faded to a lighter brown in the middle. It looked pretty. The edges were painted in gold, making it look so royal.

"It's amazing!" Rocky exclaimed with joy. He gasped when he realised. "Wait. This must have been so expensive!"

Jazz smiled cheekingly "Im sure they had some help.." She then whispered to Pipp as she flew past. "I will pay you back!"

Pipp grinned as a result. "No need to, Jazz."




Dahlia took a few steps away from the excited ponies for some peace and quiet. She hummed to herself as she opened her gift. When she opened it, she gasped. He mouth was wide open in shock. A little set 3d she could piece together with glue. It made of paper and cardboard. You had to build the whole thing from scratch. It usually took a long time. But the satisfaction was worth it. 

The cherry on top was the theme. It was themed on a flower shop. Just like the one her mother owned. The windows, the overhang. Even the door looked similar. It was gorgeous. Tears appeared in her eyes as she stared at it. Wondering who her secret santa was because this was the best gift she had gotten that year.

Her question was soon answered when a pegasus mare walked up to you. Looking a little offended as she stared at her when she wiped her tears. After rolling her eyes, she put a hoof on the box.

“Fine. If you don't like it. Ill give it to someone else.” The pegasus said before picking it up and flying away.

“Wait!” Screamed Dahlia. “Those were tears of Joy! Im sorry!”





It was a lovely day. Ponies played with their new gifts. Some decided to guess who their secret santa was and thank them. Ponies sung songs and exchanged non-secret santa gifts.

Izzy smiled happily. This idea was totally worth it in the universe this story took place in. Totally…