Title: Christmas Eve Party
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length: 312 words
Summary: Watson is unable to attend the Viscount's party, as he has a prior engagement.
Also written for holmes_minor Shared Festivities challenge

We had been invited to a Christmas Eve party at the home of a distinguished viscount.  I had had occasion to walk past the house the previous day and had noticed through one of the windows a large Christmas tree, decorated with many jewel-like ornaments and underneath a large pile of presents, all wrapped in expensive paper.  I had no doubt the children of the house would be receiving impressive presents the following day, although I did not believe they would value them greatly.

Holmes and I had sent our regrets that we would be unable to attend, due to a prior engagement.  If I am honest, neither of us particularly did regret our inability to go, since it was clear that this party was designed principally to impress.  We were holding our own party for Holmes’ Irregulars, who it is most unlikely would have been welcome across the viscount’s doorstep, even via the servants’ entrance.

The food is of a far more basic provision than we would have expected with viscount.  Mrs Hudson has baked potatoes, cooked sausages and made a mound of mince pies.  And she has ensured that there will be sufficient for them to take home for younger siblings.

And each Irregular will receive one present only, but one which I know from previous years, will be treasured far more than an expensive pile soon forgotten.  Holmes and I may not be experts at wrapping presents, but the joy on the faces of the recipients as they are unwrapped is something to behold.  We may not receive polite expressions of thanks, indeed some will completely forget in their excitement, but the happiness as a child exclaims, ‘and it’s just for me!’ is all the thanks we need.

It is often said it is good to share the festivities, but what matters most is who we share them with.