The Star of Vengeance: A Petty Christmas Tale
This is my favorite Christmas ornament, but rather than symbolize peace and goodwill, as it should, it symbolizes vengeance and spite.
I was working at a local retail store after Christmas and all of our ornaments were reduced to 75% off. This little star was .50 cents. A terrible woman (dressed to the nines and driving a Lexus, so pretty well off) came into the store and wanted four star ornaments, but wanted to only pay .25 cents a piece. As we weren’t at a yard sale I said no and she started arguing with me, becoming increasingly rude and belligerent.
After not bullying me into caving she said “Fine! My friend works at the other store in Huntsville and she told me that all the ornaments will be 90% off tomorrow, so I’ll just come back in the morning. “I can’t guarantee they’ll still be here,” I said. And the jerk said, “There are 12 in the store, so I’ll get what I want. Prepare to feel stupid tomorrow.”
So in an anti-Grinch moment my heart shrank three sizes. I bought all 12 of the star ornaments. I then called the other Huntsville store and bought ALL their ornaments. And just to be extra spiteful, I bought all the star ornaments in Decatur and Florence too.
It was the most vengeful $30 I ever spent.
The next morning she was at the store as soon as we had opened. I had the pleasure of telling her that ALL of the star ornaments in North Alabama had been sold to one customer. The look on her face was worth every penny spent.
For years I gave the ornaments to friends and family, but I saved just one for myself.
16 years later, I still smile when I hang it on my tree.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sarah Bélanger is a writer, food photographer and beer blogger based in North Alabama. She has written for many local magazines, including NoAla Magazine and Huntsville’s Event Magazine, and is a beer blogger for the Huntsville Madison County Visitor’s Bureau. As a food photographer, she has worked for numerous brands, including Southern Living, Cooking Light and Betty Crocker. Her book, North Alabama Beer: An Intoxicating History would make a great gift for a beer lover you know.
Editor’s Note: We love to hear stories of real local parents and people from the Huntsville community, especially around the Christmas and Winter holidays. This year we decided to share our favorites with you. Sarah Bélanger is a local writer, photographer, and friend to Rocket City Mom and this story makes us laugh every year. Got a story you want to tell? Email us and we might publish it!
You Might Also Like…
- The Ultimate Holiday Activity Guide to Huntsville & North Alabama
- A Mom’s Guide to Guarding Her Heart
- The One Thing I Never Skip Even Though I’m Exhausted
This story was originally published December of 2018 and has been updated.
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