They say never to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, but there is no such warning for grocery shopping with a Christmas state of mind. Hollyule discovered this the hard way.
The little dragon trotted into the market wearing a Santa hat far too big for her head, the fluffy brim slipping over one eye every few steps. She came for her usual list — the essentials that kept her fire burning bright. Extra‑hot sauce for breakfast burritos. A bundle of the strongest chili peppers the store dared to stock. A jar of volcanic salsa labeled Consume at Your Own Risk. All perfectly reasonable for a dragon whose internal thermostat ran somewhere between “toasty” and “small controlled inferno.”
But then she turned down the seasonal aisle.
Something in her holly‑jolly mood short‑circuited her self‑control. Before she knew it, her cart was filled with things no dragon had ever needed. Three kinds of eggnog, including one named North Pole Nutmeg Blast. A tower of snack cakes shaped like snowmen. A tin of peppermint bark the size of a shield. Specialty baking sprinkles in red, green, gold, and a mysterious “festive shimmer.” A gingerbread house kit she absolutely did not have the patience to assemble. And, for reasons even she couldn’t explain, a box of candy canes long enough for mock swordfighting.
By the time she reached the checkout, Hollyule had to perch on top of the cart just to keep everything from toppling over. The cashier raised an eyebrow. The dragon, cheeks glowing as red as her hat, simply said, “It’s Christmas.”
She flew home with bags dangling from her claws, promising herself she’d be more sensible next time. But deep down, she knew the truth.
There is no such thing as sensible grocery shopping when Christmas magic gets involved — especially for a dragon with a sweet tooth and a Santa hat two sizes too big.
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