Recycled Wishes
The Christmas Wishing Tree stands tall in the town square, and I’m reminded of my seventh Christmas. We didn’t have much but Mum recycled, re-used and re-purposed long before it became an environmental catchphrase. Nothing was wasted.
I wanted, more than anything, the latest craze in dolls. All my friends had one, complete with accessories.
Coming home from school, Mum and I paused at the toy shop where ‘Annabelle’ sat. I wished on stars, crossed fingers and wrote a long letter to Santa.
Annabelle disappeared from the window. Could I dare hope? Had Santa been shopping? I knew Mum couldn’t afford her, but…
On Christmas morning, I found a parcel, just the right size for Annabelle.
But it wasn’t Annabelle. Instead a rag doll Mum had lovingly made from ‘good’ bits of our worn clothes. Mum sat biting her lip and I realised schoolyard rumours about Santa were true. Mum had done her best. It wasn’t Annabelle; she was far more beautiful.
I hugged Mum and felt her tears on my cheek.
At school, the other kids laughed and I wept quietly, hugging my doll in the corner of the playground.
‘What’s wrong?’ Our headmistress crouched beside me.
I showed her my doll.
‘She’s beautiful. Your mother is very talented.’
I felt better but resolved not to take her to school again.
That afternoon the headmistress met Mum at the school gate and asked Mum if she would teach crafts at our school.
Next Christmas our life was easier. Another Annabelle graced the toy shop window.
‘Would you like her?’ Mum asked.
‘No, Mum. I already have the best doll ever.’
***
I make my way to the little shop at the end of the street. Behind the counter Mum is making another doll. I tell her about the wishing tree.
‘Wonderful,’ she says. ‘We’ll donate some dolls.’
Wishes don’t always materialise as you expect. Mum’s recycled dolls became so popular we opened our own shop. Now, I sew, too.
And I have a new wish now – for every child to have one of Mum’s beautiful dolls.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA classic tale of a child’s Christmas wish made new. Maybe fairer to say that it’s upcycled? Either way, a delight from beginning to end.

Thank you, Voice-Team; I feel very honoured. My apologies for the slow response – it has been a sad week here (my son and his partner miscarried a longed-for baby and I’ve been collecting all my parents’ furniture and belongings from their home 300kms away as they are both now in care), so this was a lovely surprise. I loved writing the story. I have a huge pile of new and used… Read more »
A very tender story… I was able to feel the mother’s love. A nice lesson to learn: appreciate what matters. I enjoyed your story a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Henry. I wish I could say that I was like the main character in this story but I fear I was not quite as appreciative when I was young. Thankfully, as I grew older I learnt what matters most, especially once I had children.
I see what you mean… it happens to many people. Fortunately, it’s never too late to do the right thing. Blessings
So many wonderful happenings flowed out of the young girl’s appreciation and love for her mother. A truly selfless youngster.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Margarida. Yes, a wonderful mother and daughter and I’m sure the love they put into each doll will be felt by all the youngsters who receive them ?
Oh! Sandra. What a beautiful story. And the moral lessons were totally life changing. I will surely share it with my children. Thanks for sharing this lovely story. Well done.
Thank you, Lotchie! I am so touched that you want to share my story with your children. And… I am sure you are a wonderful mother, just like the one in my story ?
When I was young, my mother and grandmother both used the ‘good bits’ of outgrown clothes to make other things. And, they inspired me because I like to make patchwork quilts out of recycled materials.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou’re welcome, Sandra. It is a lovely read. And my children also love it.
Congratulations on your win, Sandra.
Thank you, Lotchie ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google ❤
How I love this story, Sandra! It reminds me of many Christmases I spent wishing for stuff which I couldn’t have. I realised the real meaning of gifts and value of them much later on in life. Thank you for reminding me of what’s important: love, togetherness and good deeds!
Thank you, Greene! Like you, I wished for many things I didn’t get when I was young and I’m sure I wasn’t as nice as the daughter in my story ? Thankfully, I have become much more appreciative in my latter years!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis story was very moving. Was it based on true events? It felt so real. Excellent writing! I wanted to hug that little girl while she struggled with her sense of what was important and what wasn’t. Made me glad my schoolyard days are over!
Thank you, Heather. No, it wasn’t based on true events. I was decluttering my house (mammoth task!) and came across a pattern for a rag doll I clipped from a magazine many years ago. I’m thinking of making it for my granddaughter (5) who will be thrilled ?
Your story reminds me of how important it is for children to be like other kids, to have what’s popular and to adapt your taste to the main stream taste. In this case, it turns out a bit different. Good work!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks, Christer. I remember very well how important it was for me to be like other kids. I was very shy and lacking in confidence. My parents were comfortably off and provided me with very ‘sensible’ presents and clothes but I so often wished I was like the kids who had the latest cheap fad items! I did understand my parents’ reasoning but it didn’t stop me wishing.
I was very moved by this story. Everything in it rings true, from the emotional turmoil of the main character to the extremely engaging and descriptive narrative and dialogue. I love stories that encourage a reflection of values without “hitting one over the head” and this story accomplished that, and more.
Thank you, Preston. They are my favourite kind of stories, too, so I am very glad it came across that way. As I wrote I felt like I could see the tree and was actually walking into the little shop.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleSandra, a truly heartwarming story about gratitude and how homemade can almost always be better due to the thought and passion that goes into a homemade gift. I had a delightful time reading your story!
Thank you, Bella. Recently, I’ve been clearing out my parents’ home as Dad moved into care and Mum has been there for a while. It’s sad in some aspects but one treasure I found in one of Mum’s drawers was a crochet bed jacket I made for her one Christmas thirty years ago. I was honoured she’d kept it all that time.
This is such a sweet and heart-warming story Sandra! I’m so pleased for their happy ending ❤
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Emily. As I’m sure we all do with our stories, I felt like I was right there and could see the dolls and the wishing tree ?
I’m not sure how I missed this one, Sandra, what a beautiful story. Well done 🙂
Thank you, Carrie. So many wonderful stories, I fear I probably missed some, too. At least we can go back and read them ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations Sandra! A lovely story.
Thank you, Linda. I’m glad you enjoyed it ? I loved writing it!
This is a lovely story, Sandra, and reminds me of my own childhood. We were very poor in money but so rich in everything else. One Easter my Mom made beautiful dresses for my sister and me, and Dad made us little matching pocketbooks covered with the material from the dresses. We felt like royalty dressed in our coordinated Easter finery!
Congratulations on your win, Sandra – you truly deserved it.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Julie. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood and I imagine you remember those dresses and pocketbooks every Easter (and through the year!) The headmistress at my grandson’s school is very thoughtful and intuitive and I had her in mind when I wrote about the kind headmistress in my story. Thanks again ?
You’ve got us all wanting one now! Congratulations also on your runner up
Thank you, Susan! I don’t think I could make a doll as special as the ones I imagined in my story but I really need to try ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google