“The Empty Christmas Morning” (1/3 ) I woke up early on Christmas morning, hoping to see the excitement on my children’s faces as they opened their gifts. But there were no gifts under the tree, no stockings filled, no sparkle of magic in the air. The night before, I sat alone at the kitchen table, staring at the few coins left in my purse. Bills had drained everything. Food, rent, heat—it all came first. There was nothing left for toys or treats.