Who Ate the Pink Sweetmeat? And Other Christmas Stories

by Susan Coolidge

"Who Ate the Pink Sweetmeat? And Other Christmas Stories" by Susan Coolidge et al. is a collection of heartwarming Christmas stories written in the late 19th century. The stories delve into themes of generosity, kindness, and the joys of the holiday season, featuring a variety of characters—from stockings that dream of Christmas to children experiencing the magic of their first celebrations. Each tale captures the spirit of giving and the warmth of family traditions associated with Christmas. At the start of "Who Ate the Pink Sweetmeat?", we meet Job Tuke, the proprietor of a modest shop on the verge of a cold winter's Christmas. The dwindling stock in his shop leads to an engaging conversation between three pairs of stockings about their hopes for being chosen as Christmas gifts. As they contemplate their fate, they are unexpectedly sold together to a family, providing them the chance to fulfill their dreams of being hung up for Christmas. Their adventure continues in the home of Mrs. Wendte, where the stockings delight in the surprise of being filled with sweetmeats, highlighting the joy and excitement surrounding Christmas traditions and childhood innocence.