Henry’s Holiday Havoc: A Christmas Chaos Chronicle
Some families have gentle Christmas mornings filled with soft carols, twinkling lights, and neatly wrapped presents under the tree. My family has Henry the donkey—and let’s just say, peace on earth didn’t exactly make it to our barn this year.
It all started with the bright idea to include Henry in our holiday card photo. He’s cute, he’s funny, and he’s practically a celebrity in our small corner of the internet. How hard could it be to put a Santa hat on him, pose by the tree, and snap a quick picture? Answer: harder than assembling a child’s toy without instructions at midnight.
First, the Santa hat didn’t stand a chance. I perched it gently between Henry’s ears, and within two seconds, he whipped his head, flung it across the yard, and gave me a bray that sounded suspiciously like laughter. I retrieved the hat, tried again, and this time he stomped one hoof like he was rejecting the fashion choice entirely. Rudolph may have had a red nose, but Henry had an attitude.
Then came the Christmas lights. Someone thought it would be adorable to drape a strand of battery-powered twinkle lights around his neck. Except Henry decided lights were food. One chomp, and suddenly it was less “Merry and Bright” and more “Call the vet before he swallows a battery.” We abandoned that plan immediately.
Meanwhile, the chickens decided they weren’t about to be outdone. They stormed the photo shoot like feathered divas, pecking at the ornaments we’d hung on a little wooden tree. One managed to knock an ornament loose, and before I could stop him, Henry was batting it around the yard like a toddler with a beach ball. The scene looked less like a Christmas card and more like a holiday blooper reel.
And let’s not forget the goat chorus. Apparently, my goats think Christmas is the perfect time for dramatic background vocals. As I tried to wrangle Henry into one decent shot, the goats bleated in harmony—off-key, of course—like a barnyard boy band gone rogue.
By the end of the afternoon, my festive sweater was covered in hay, mud, and something I refuse to identify. Henry stood smugly in the middle of the chaos, clearly proud of himself for turning a simple Christmas photo into a slapstick holiday special.
But here’s the thing: when I uploaded the bloopers, the internet went wild. People didn’t want polished perfection—they wanted Henry’s holiday havoc in all its chaotic glory. Comments poured in: “This is the real spirit of Christmas!” “Henry’s bray is the new jingle bell rock!” and “Please tell me you’re making this into a Christmas special.”
And maybe they’re right. Maybe Christmas isn’t about picture-perfect cards or silent nights. Maybe it’s about laughter, mess, and the kind of memories you’ll retell every December for years to come.
So this year, our Christmas card might not feature Henry in a Santa hat, but it will feature something better: the truth. Chaos, comedy, and a donkey determined to steal the spotlight. After all, isn’t that what makes the holidays unforgettable?
