Read by Matilda Longbottom

We moved into our forever home at Christmas—the most magical time of the year. Newly in love, we’d just bought a dreamy 25-acre homestead, complete with endless possibilities and a rose garden that seemed to be whispering, “Just wait until Spring.” As a rose lover, this garden was my crown jewel, a peaceful Winter wonderland in hibernation.

Down the road, we had a wildlife management area. Now, fresh from the subdivision life, we naively assumed this meant “wildlife sanctuary.” Our romantic visions of graceful deer frolicking in lush meadows only added to the charm of our new countryside life. It was all picture-perfect… for the time being.

For our first Christmas, I decided to deck the farm in homemade holiday glory. Armed with shears, I snipped armfuls of boxwood, holly, and pine cones. Martha Stewart herself would’ve wept with envy as I swanked up the barn, filled window boxes, and looped greenery around every post in sight.

But my pièce de résistance? A glorious wreath made of twisted grapevines, adorned with mini gingerbread men crafted from applesauce and cinnamon. I glued those cute little fellas onto the wreath with all the dedication of a professional baker-turned-craft queen, topping it off with a ruffled plaid bow. It hung proudly on our front door, glowing in the soft light of Christmas Eve.

Little did I know, I was hosting uninvited holiday diners.

The next morning, while I whipped up cocoa, my husband took the dogs outside. I stepped out to call them and froze—every single gingerbread man was gone. Only sad little glue nubs remained on my once-prized wreath. Panic set in.

“What have you done to my wreath?” I shrieked at my husband, clearly suspecting some ridiculous prank.

“Nothing!” he shouted back in a tone only husbands can muster when wrongly accused. “Must’ve been the deer.”

I wanted to dismiss this wild theory, but sure enough, there were hoof prints all over the porch. They had sneaked up like Christmas ninjas, devoured my gingerbread men, and vanished without a trace—except for the well-polished nubs and their hoof graffiti.

Upon further inspection, my horror deepened. Not only had the deer stolen my wreath feast, but they had also snacked on my precious rose bushes, thorns and all! The thorn buffet had been no match for their midnight cravings.

Our fairytale view of graceful deer was shattered that Christmas morning. Our naive belief that wildlife would simply stay in their little management area, leaving our farm alone, was laughable. And laugh we did, eventually. After all, we had served them Christmas dinner.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, but the deer were definitely on the prowl. There I was, cozy in bed, dreaming of sugarplums, while the neighborhood deer were feasting on my carefully prepared holiday spread. I had set the table, and they had come right on time!

Applesauce and Cinnamon Gingerbread Men Ornaments

This recipe is a classic, and while it’s great for making ornaments, beware of hungry wildlife! You can find large containers of cinnamon around the holidays at grocery or craft stores, or order online if needed.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce (approximate)
• 2 cups ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Mix applesauce and cinnamon until the mixture holds together when squeezed. Adjust amounts as necessary.
2. Roll out dough to about ¼ inch thick on a surface dusted with cinnamon.
3. Cut into gingerbread men or other shapes with a cookie cutter.
4. Place cutouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let air dry at room temperature (about a week). Flip them occasionally to ensure even drying.
5. If you want to hang them, poke a hole in each ornament before they dry.

About the Author: Karla Jones Seidita and her husband have called their charming Virginia farm home for almost 40 years. Over the decades, they’ve turned the farm’s potential into reality, hosting cooking, canning, and gardening classes. They’ve even opened a bed-and-breakfast for guests seeking a rural escape. Although they’ve aged, Karla and her husband remain young at heart and very much in love. Each Christmas morning, they share a cup of cocoa and a good laugh, reminiscing about the time they unknowingly set out a buffet for their deer neighbors. It’s now a cherished family tradition—minus the gingerbread men, of course!