On the monitor is a photo of a burning fireplace. A warm blanket covers my feet. The cocoa in a large mug smells invitingly. There are several books lying on the sofa next to me. The perfect setting for relaxation and rest.
But I'm trapped. I try to get up, but it doesn't work. The pages of the books hold my body tightly, cling to my hands, holding me in place. The only thing I'm allowed to do is take a sip of a hot drink. My torso is petrified in a half-sitting position.
The clock on the wall is ticking, but the hands are not moving forward. The lights are off, only the computer and the lights on the Christmas tree are glowing.
A burnt stick on the floor reminds me of my stupidity. Who knew that wishes come true on New Year's? All I had to do was imagine my dream coming true and light a Bengal light. When it burned out, I found myself on the sofa in an endlessly frozen nightmare.
When I dreamed of a long-awaited vacation, I didn’t expect to be stuck there forever. Apparently, the wording was wrong. Or maybe I’ve been bad all year and now I’m being punished. To distract myself, I recall the past twelve months. No, I didn’t seem to offend anyone, didn’t do anything bad, didn’t commit any naughty acts. Although I have no idea about Santa Claus criteria. Maybe I’ve been on the list of naughty children for a long time, I just didn’t know about it.
I diligently go through all the texts I’ve read and films I’ve watched on this topic in my head, but I can’t find anything useful. I have nothing else to do anyway, except think, immerse myself in memories, or read. The selection of books in my wish that came true is boring, all New Year’s stories for the little children.
I leaf through each one in search of valuable clues, but I quickly become disappointed. There are only gifts, Christmas trees, toys and funny animals. In other circumstances, I would read a couple of fairy tales, but not now. I don’t want to sleep or eat, the needs of the body have switched off. But the brain continues to work.
At first my brain was looking for a way out, now it is exhausted. Sooner or later, in this trap, I will go crazy. I look at the clock longingly. January 1st, midnight and one minute. From now on, I am stuck in this moment.
I wonder how much time has actually passed? It seems like I have been stuck on the couch for an eternity, surrounded by paper jailers.
A crazy idea suddenly occurs to me, and I perk up. It’s still New Year’s, which means I can make a wish again! Or is it too dangerous? What if it gets worse? No! I have to take a risk!
"I want my last wish to be cancelled!"
The clock hand trembles, the pages of the books let go of me and crawl in different directions. They disappear in a bright flash of light along with the mug of cocoa, the blanket and everything else. My usual environment remains.
I jump to my feet, because I am free.
I look around the room and see a box with a note under the Christmas tree:
"We are truly sorry, because we screwed up with your wish. But you fixed it yourself, well done! As an apology, we give you a talisman in the form of a star, which will bring happiness, health, love and success. Without any side effects, we promise! Happy New Year!"

Sometimes I think what books can bring us festive mood or Christmas mood?
At first I need to understand what exactly is this mysterious Christmas feeling or spirit.
Is it about cookies and other meals? Maybe.
Is it connected with Christmas tree or other decorations? Maybe.
But I think that the main idea of the whole Christmas time is about love, hope and joy.
Christmas time is about the birth of God's Son Jesus.
So it is time to help each other, to bring joy to others, to reconnect and to reunite with our family members.
Christmas time is a very traditional time I guess.
So what books come to your mind in that context?
Of course, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.
"A Boy Called Christmas" by Matt Haig. This book became very popular because of the movie. But it also has two sequels: "The Girl Who Saved Christmas" and "Father Christmas and Me". I recommend to read them all!
"The Fir Tree" by Tove Jansson is a very short story. But it is also very good.
"The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E. T. A. Hoffmann is a classic book about Christmas time.
Modern authors also have plenty of stories about Christmas time.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Midnight came, and the wool creatures hid in anticipation. Now Doris will go to bed, and they can start moving. For now they had to freeze and remain silent. But the owner was in no hurry, because she was lost in a book. The pages rustled, the wool creatures endured. After an hour, Doris finally put the novel aside and got between the sheets. But the plot she read excited her imagination; she wanted to know what would happen next. She grabbed the book and flipped through to the end. One of the wool creatures began to sniffle with disappointment, but the owner did not notice anything, becoming engrossed in reading again. Having made sure that the ending would be happy, Doris decided that now she would definitely be able to fall asleep.

With the first ray of sun my eyes opened. I go to shower, then exercise and have breakfast. Today is Saturday, spring cleaning day. Although the apartment is already tidy, I need to keep myself occupied with something. I wash the kitchen sink and mumble a song under my breath. Then I start sorting out the supplies in the cabinets, checking the expiration dates and calling out each date out loud. The next stage takes me back to the bedroom. I sort through, clean, scrub and at the same time repeat the poems I learned during my studies. I should do anything to keep the brain busy.

The airspace seethed, fairies, pixies and elves fussed, rushed, carrying envelopes, packages and parcels. For the first time during the existence of the Magic Mail, the unheard of happened. The courier made the wrong address! The culprit named Tamm sat sadly in the corner. The striped wings drooped, the cheeks turned pale, the gray eyes turned red from tears.

Solstice festival was my favorite day of the year. All traditions were observed in our family. The festive dishes have already been put on the table, the only thing missing were fresh fern fruits. Mom willingly entrusted me with the important mission to go to the forest and to pick them.