Vanozza had been planning the dinner for weeks. Even with limited resources, she shines. Personalized invitations had been issued along with the gifts. Decorations had been strung up along the walls and to the backs of the chairs. An area had been cleared for dancing or mingling.

She had secured a bird, and a cook to roast and stuff it. Various other meat dishes accompany the main course atop the table decorated with a red tablecloth. Sweets there are to brighten the palate and she had even found some men who could sing and play the fiddle to provide music in return for being fed. What she does have plenty of is drinks. If experience has taught her one thing, the festivities would last until those run out.

She plays the charming hostess from before the first guest arrives until the very last leaves. She flits from person to person, group to group, verifying all is well and doing her best to smooth over most tensions. Christmas is for family, but in such trying times, the celebration must be for all.

There is no Christmas tree because the fuck is a Christmas tree anyway.