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Asriel Dreemurr, top student and popular jock and all-around beloved member of the community, always had the worst time choosing gifts. Even as a kid when the expectations were lower, he always struggled when it came to the people he loved the most.
Usually, Dess found it cute how he kept second-guessing everything and grumbling, but he seemed genuinely distressed this year. And she was pretty sure she knew the reason.
"Guess it's going around in the Dreemurr house," she said. Asriel nodded.
"Only Mom and Dad have any ideas of what to give Frisk for their first Christmas with us," he said. "Kris has been agonizing about it, Ralsei's stress baking so he doesn't have to, and Chara's watching Frisk like a hawk for ideas but doesn't seem to be satisfied by any of them."
"Do you know what they like?" Dess asked. "Books, toys, games..."
"Kris is going to do something related to books, and Chara'll probably stick to games. I wish I was better at baking, then I could just help Mom and Dad make cookies and decorate the house." Asriel eyed a soft wool hat for a moment before shaking his head. "No, clothes would seem boring."
"You never thought they were! You still have the silly sweater I bought you when we were Noelle and Kris's age," Dess teased. Sadly, she'd never gotten the hang of knitting, so her holiday sweaters were always bought from secondhand stores, but they were still fun. Asriel was currently wearing the one she'd bought him last year.
"That's different," he said, laughing a little. "Especially now. Frisk is ten, I doubt many kids their age would want something so practical." He paused. "Then again, Chara was psyched to get their first gardening kit when they were that age."
"Like you with those history books." Dess grinned, and Asriel blushd.
"If Frisk seemed interested in that I could give them my hand-me-downs so they'd really feel like part of the family." He glanced over at a shelf full of used VHS tapes. "We still have a working VCR attached to Tenna, and vintage technology is kind of fun..."
"Aww, an original release copy of the Rudolph special!" Dess squealed. "This was Noelle's and my favorite growing up, even though Noelle cried and asked Dad to reassure her that he never got bullied like that when he was a kid."
"I remember that," Asriel said. "I could never imagine anyone picking on your dad!" Sadly, none of the tapes on the shelf seemed like Frisk's thing. Until once again, Dess spotted a title they all knew well.
"My Neighbor Totoro!" she squealed, and the moment she pulled it out Asriel felt a spark of inspiration. They'd seen more than a few Ghibli movies, and Totoro had been an instant favorite despite some of the sadder themes.
It could work, Asriel realized. Plus he'd seen Frisk show interest in the Ghibli posters at the library.
"Dess, you're a lifesaver," he said, leaning forward to rub noses with her. "Thank you, I think Frisk will enjoy this one! And maybe I will get them that hat, too, it has a cute creature sewn onto it." A creature that reminded Asriel a bit of a Totoro, even. Dess grinned, handing him the tape and linking her free arm in his.
"It's what I'm here for! Now, only..." She counted on her fingers. "Eight left, not counting me! But I trust you won't need my help with that." Asriel blushed. Somehow Dess always seemed to be the exception to his shopping problems.