Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia

Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia is the eleventh book in the Adult Amelia Bedelia series. Written by Peggy Parish. Illustrated by Lynn Sweat. Published in 1986.

Story
It's Christmas Eve and Amelia Bedelia has so much to do. First, she is ordered to make a date cake. She puts calendar dates and nuts in the cake mix. Then she cooks spice cakes and six cups of popcorn for popcorn balls.

Amy comes into the Rogers' house to tell Amelia that Santa Claus is coming tonight. Mrs. Rogers comes to the kitchen and sees that Amelia has cooked so much popcorn. Amelia tells her what Amy said. She knows Santa is the one who comes down the chimneys, but the one in the Rogers' house needs to be cleaned. Mrs. Rogers says Santa will manage.

While Amelia sets out the cakes to cook, Mrs. Rogers realizes she forgot about Aunt Myra and must go and get her. She gives Amelia a list of things to do, before she leaves with Mr. Rogers. First, Amelia has to stuff six stockings for the neighbors' children. She puts turkey stuffing in the stockings and hangs them on the fireplace. Then she trims (cuts thin) the Christmas tree, and finds colored balls (different kinds of play balls; footballs, baseballs, etc.) and strings of lights (light bulbs) to put on the tree.

Next she has to put a big star on the top of the tree. Amelia, thinking stars mean people, suggests she'd like to be a star, so she has an idea. She finds a mirror and puts it on top of the tree. Then she writes a sign saying "SEE THE STAR". Then she makes popcorn balls to also put on the tree. Amelia goes out to make some telephone calls and then eats her supper.

Later the doorbell rings and in come three children. At 8 o'clock, the Rogers' car pulls into the driveway. When Aunt Myra comes in, the three kids, all named Carol, say "Greetings, greetings, greetings", which is what greeting with carols means to Amelia. Aunt Myra thanks them for that. Myra sees the crazily decorated tree and looks in the mirror, thinking she's a star. Then everyone sits down and eats Amelia's literal date cake and spice cake.

Now they have to go to sleep. Mr. Rogers tells Amelia that Santa won't come if she's awake. Amelia decides to stay up for more work. While she washes the dishes, a man dressed as Santa Claus comes in the house carrying a bag of toys. Amelia joyfully tells the folks, but the man, who isn't really Santa and is actually Mr. Rogers, says she should be in bed. He wishes Amelia good night and Merry Christmas!