It was the Hearth’s Warming season, where everypony was supposed to be filled with joy. But at this moment, Cream Jade wasn’t feeling any.
 
She lay in her bed, tears streaming down her face, leaving stains on the pillow she rested her head on. She couldn’t believe what the other fillies and colts in town had told her. The very thing that made Hearths Warming so special apparently had just been an old foals’ tale. No, it couldn’t be, she thought. Who else would bring me all those gifts? Who ate the milk and cookies we left out on Hearth’s Warming Eve? All these thoughts spun around in her head. The things they said were clear as day in Cream’s mind.
 
“Pshh, you still think Santa Hooves is real? The one who climbs down your chimney and leaves you presents with his red-nosed reindeer in the middle of the night? Grow up!”
 
What if they’re right? What if Santa isn’t real? Cream thought. She lay silent for awhile, lost in her own thoughts, before she heard a knock at the door.
 
“Creamy, are you alright? Can I come in?”
 
Cream recognized that voice instantly: her big sister Confetti Surprise. “N-no! Don’t come in.” She didn’t want her sister to see her so unhappy. She couldn’t see her like this.
 
“Please?”
 
Cream paused for a moment. She really could use somepony’s company right about now. “F-fine…”
 
Almost instantly the door slowly opened up, and Confetti peered in with a sympathetic frown. “Oh Creamy…” She made her way towards her sister’s bed. “May I sit down?”
 
Cream nodded slowly, not meeting Confetti’s gaze.
 
Confetti sat down at the end of her bed, laying her hoof on her back comfortingly. Cream still kept her head buried in her pillow.
 
“Mind telling me what happened?”
 
“I was on m-my way to town, looking at all the Hearth’s Warming decorations ponies put out. W-when suddenly this group of ponies, about my age, came up to me. They starting teasing me and calling me such mean names…I asked what they were doing and they had the letter I had written to Santa Hooves! I don’t know how they got it but they ripped it up right in front of my eyes…Telling me that Santa wasn’t real and I needed to stop acting like a filly.” She looked up at her sister with tears in her eyes. “A-are they right Connie? Is Santa real?”
 
Confetti paused for a moment. “Well, before I say anything, know that Hearth’s Warming isn’t just about getting gifts from Santa Hooves or putting out milk and cookies for him. It’s about spending time with our families and celebrating the beautiful land of Equestria. Right?”
 
Cream nodded.
 
“No, Santa Hooves himself isn’t a real pony. But he still represents something very important. He represents the spirit of giving and being with your family. Even if he’s not technically real, he’s still a part of us as long as we keep that spirit alive,” Confetti smiled. “Get what I mean?”
 
Cream Jade wiped a tear away and nodded. “So, even if Santa isn’t real, he still lives as the spirit of Hearth’s Warming in our hearts?”
 
“Exactly! Now, even though you know that Santa Hooves himself isn’t real, that doesn’t mean you have to tell others that he isn’t. You need to keep the magic alive for the other young fillies and colts in Ponyville.” A smirk grew on Confetti’s face. “Especially if you’re going to be an Auntie…”
 
“I guess you’re righ-Wait, what?! An Auntie?”
 
“Yep!” Confetti grinned. “We just found out a week ago, but Lightning and I are expecting twins! You have to promise me you’ll keep the magic going for them, can you do that?”
 
“Of course!” Cream was now smiling joyfully, not a tear in sight.
 
A dinging noise from the kitchen made their ears perk up.
 
“Cookies are ready!” A voice from downstairs called out.
 
“Come on, lets go get some cookies!” Confetti trotted towards the door, waving for her sister to come with her.
 
Cream followed behind her, a smile plastered on her face. Even if she wasn’t getting any gifts from Santa Hooves this year, she had the best gift of all. It was one that had been right in front of her all along: family.