You know those obnoxious cars with the reindeer antlers that you see driving around at Christmas time? Meet my mom. Yes, she’s one of “those” people. She also insists on dressing the cat on our mailbox in holiday outfits. It currently has a Santa hat.

(It should be noted that we are not cat people, and the cat on the mailbox came with the house.)

Every Christmas, my mom pulls out the old reindeer antlers and the Rudolph nose, and puts them on her car.  I cringe, and plead for her to not “outfit” her car until after Christmas break has started.

I have to say, her old car, the PT Cruiser, did look cute with the nose and the antlers. Sadly, since she upgraded to her FJ Cruiser, these festive Christmas decorations have lost their desired effect. The red nose looks terribly misplaced and I try to avoid riding in the car at all costs.

This year is different because I don’t have to suffer through the embarrassment of getting out of a car clad with reindeer antlers and a big, red nose everyday for school.  I’ve been looking forward to it since I passed my driving test and got my own car.

So imagine my surprise when I come home after a long, hard day at school to find a brand new pair of antlers and a Rudolph nose sitting on my bed. Uh oh. I closed my eyes, willing the antlers and nose to disappear so I wouldn’t have to tell my mom that I didn’t want them.

I open my eyes. They’re still there.

Why.

That’s when I hear her.

“Farren, did you see the little surprise I put on your bed?”

I wish not.

“Yes, mom.”

I turn around to see her wearing the biggest grin ever.

“Don’t they just make you so happy? They make me so happy.”

So, because I love my mother, I take a deep breath and say, “Yes. Let’s put them on my car this weekend, okay?”

By now, my mother is bursting with pride at having a daughter as holiday crazy as she is.  And sure, I’ll be a little embarrassed, but if it makes her happy, that all that matters.  Besides, let’s be honest, if anybody’s car could pull them off, it will be mine.