I know only one true West Tisbury Christmas story and it’s not about miracles — more Home Alone than It’s A Wonderful Life.

It took place 40 or more years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and the story was told to me at the time by Jean Fischer O’Reilly, who grew up on Flat Point Farm, and worked at Alley’s store before she married and moved away to the middle of America.

Jean said that on Christmas morning she and her husband Tim O’Reilly woke up in the middle of the night because they heard heard noises coming from the living room. They both hurried down the stairs and saw their children, three or four of them at the time, sitting on the floor, some giggling, the older ones looking sheepish. Even the baby had been released from her crib to join the party.

Every present under the tree had been torn open, and the wrappings and ribbons and crumpled paper and the To and From cards were scattered haphazardly around the room.

Jeannie was a well-brought-up young woman and her first thought was how worried she was that she now had no way of knowing who had sent what gifts to whom. As a child in the West Tisbury School, she had to remember to refer to her mother as Mrs. Fischer, not Mom. Priscilla Fischer taught grades one through three. Mrs. Fischer was a much-loved and greatly respected teacher whose high standards are remembered still by her former students.

But now Jeannie would let down the family, as there was be no way the children or she could write the proper (and expected) thank-you letters because she had no idea who had given what present.

That was then.

If there are still question marks on your shopping list, the Vineyard Artisans come to the rescue with a holiday festival Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Grange Hall. You will find ceramics, jewelry, clothing, original art, woodcraft and much more, all made by Island artists and artisans. It’s what people here do in the winter.

Happy birthday messages go out this week to Barbara Silk on Sunday, Dec. 22, to Omar Rayyan on Monday, Dec. 23 and to Ken Goldberg Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Allen and Lynne Whiting are back in town after a visit to Utah to see Lynne’s sister, brothers, their spouses and kids. They arrived home eager to start wrapping, cooking and even some shopping for their younger generation Vineyard family.

The library is offering free lunch throughout the school break every day except Christmas and New Year’s days. Soup and bread are on the menu, courtesy of the West Tisbury Library foundation, the friends, and chef Dion. Lunchtime is 11:30 to 1 p.m.

Love, joy, and merriment to all.