1853 December 20th, Philadelphia, to Dear Clemmy

              Philadelphia 12th mo. 20th 1853Dear ClemmyI have come very near acknowledging thy Thanksgiving Day letter on Christmas, but it will amount to the same thing as thee will probably get this around that time. Thee should have had an answer sooner, but for this said Christmas, which has engrossed somewhat of our time and thoughts-- there being so many young folks that like to be remembered at such times and thee knows it is quite a serious business to select even trifles for such a variety of tastes. I think it is a very pleasant custom that there should be a certain time for exchanging such little sincere brances[?]. We are all sorry thee cannot be here with us, but as that could not be this year, we have made up a package amongst us, which may help to brighten your Christmas day.  Don’t think I mean to say that it particularly needs such help, but pleasant associating may be served by it. Since commencing my sheet the contributions from father’s & Aunt Caroline have arrived & I had the curiosity to peep into one of thy books for I counted to see what thee had to regale upon-- most of us seem to have chosen books-- we send thee one in preference to anything else hoping thee may have a double pleasure