- Still thinking about Ox's words, Tom realizes that even though he's at the bottom of the ladder, he's at least starting to climb his way up it and that he and his family are "better off than they had been last summer" (18.1).
- On the way home, Tom stops at the pharmacy to buy tobacco for Birdy's Christmas present.
- At home, Tom sees the tree Polly Ann and the girls had cut and decorated, and he notices his presents stowed safely beneath it. Polly Ann wraps and adds the present for Birdy to the pile.
- Christmas day arrives, and the family enjoys a big dinner (lunch/brunch to us) that Polly Ann has worked hard on. Then they open their presents.
- Polly Ann loves her gift from Tom, and he notices how young and pretty it makes her look when she puts it on. The girls put on their ribbons from Tom right away as well.
- Tom gets new mittens from Polly Ann and matching knit wristers (it's what they sound like) and a scarf made by his sisters.
- Birdy gives Tom snow shoes that he got secondhand, though they were made by an excellent craftsman (Old Broken-Crow Redner), so they are good quality, and Birdy has varnished them to make them like new. It's a very thoughtful gift because the shoes will help Tom get to and from work safely and quickly in the winter weather.
- Birdy proclaims the tobacco he gets from Tom to be the best in the world.