4. A snowman with a fruit for a nose (no carrots allowed!)
5. Your team spelling out “MERRY XMAS” using only your bodies
6. A stranger singing a line from “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
7. A receipt for a purchase made today
8. Your team recreating a famous movie scene with a holiday twist
9. A homemade snowflake at least 12 inches across
10. Proof that you completed a random act of kindness
My mind is already racing. “We need a strategy. Let’s start with the easier ones and work our way up.”
“We should hit the park first.” Abby’s competitive spirit is clearly kicking in. “We can knock out the pinecone and the snowman there.”
We take off running, the crisp winter air stinging our cheeks. At the park, we quickly find a pinecone, but the hat proves tricky.
“Wait.” Abby digs in her pocket and pulls out a scrunchie with a bow on it. “Will this work?”
I arrange the scrunchie on the pinecone. “You’re a genius.”
She preens playfully. “I know. Now, about that snowman…”
We gather snow into three lopsided balls, stacking them carefully. It doesn’t look half bad for as fast as we’re working, but…
“I don’t know where we’ll find fruit,” I say.
Abby pulls out an apple from her pocket. “I was told to bring snacks.”
“I was joking.”
“You’re my boss, so I always listen.” And I’m glad I went to the restroom before we left. “But I think the apple’s too big.”
“What about a grape?”
Abby gives me a look. “A grape won’t be visible in the photo.”
We settle on the clementine in Abby’s other pocket. I’ll need to teach her that snacks should be sugary. At least on Christmas Day.
I snap a photo of our citrus-nosed snowman with my phone. “He looks surprised.”
“Probably because he’s never seen two people so determined to win bragging rights,” she says. “Maybe we can find someone here to sing for us.”
We scan the park and spot a group of teenagers huddled around a portable speaker, music faintly audible.
“Teenagers?” I don’t think this will work. “They’re not exactly known for their Christmas spirit.”
“Watch and learn.”
I just hope I don’t end up in a fight and have to protect her, but I will if that’s what it takes.
Abby approaches the group with an easy smile on her face. “Merry Christmas. We’re on a scavenger hunt. Would anyone sing a line from ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ for us?”
They exchange glances, smirks tugging at their lips. One of them, a boy with a shock of blue hair, shrugs. “Sure, why not?”
He belts out the chorus with surprising enthusiasm, and his friends join in. I record them on my phone.
