"I don’t think I can haul another thing as long as I live!" seventeen year old Joe muttered. He was stretched out on his stomach on the couch. He did not even bother opening his eyes while making the comment.

"I didn’t realize Mom and Aunty had so much Christmas stuff from over the years," Frank mumbled, as he lay straddled across his father’s favorite recliner. His eyes were closed as well, hoping for a little slumber time.

"Now all you have to do is get the tree and get started!" Fenton Hardy said as he walked into the living room from his office. He was straightening his tie and stood there with a broad smile on his face as he saw both of his sons look up at him. "Yes, you two are not done yet! The Hardy women are going to expect the house to be fully decked out for their annual Christmas party and I am sure you will not let them down."

"And where do you think you are going? Didn’t mom put YOU in charge of that?" Joe said with a grumble. He loved decorating as much as he liked school, and that was not very much.

"I have to go to New York my dear son…tonight," the balding, yet tall man said as he put his suit jacket on.

"It must be really big if you are going to wear a tie!" dark-haired and a year older Frank added with a smile.

"Ezra and I have to attend a parole meeting for an old nemesis. We need to keep him behind bars for another ten years!" Fenton said, putting his hat on. "We were just notified of the parole hearing and we do not want to miss it."

"What did this guy do?" Joe asked, pushing his blond hair out of his eyes.

"When I was a cop in New York City, he was responsible for killing 3 police officers in a shoot out. He kidnapped his fiancée and held her at gunpoint," Mr. Hardy said, picking up his briefcase. "He got life in prison with a chance of parole. This is his first chance we are hoping to keep him in for another ten years. One of the worst cases I have even worked on."

"I hope you convince the board then Dad," Frank said, sitting up. "So you will be back in time for the big party then since this is Friday."

Mrs. Hardy and her sister-in-law, Gertrude always had their annual Christmas party. It was always held the Sunday before Christmas and this year was no exception. The ladies always made a trip into the big city to get all their supplies and get a few gifts while they were there. The Hardy men were always left with the chore of decorating the house. Joe never understood why though because Aunt Gertrude would end up rearranging everything all the way down to the smallest ornament on the tree. However, they did it to make the ladies of the house happy.

"Yes, I will be back Sunday afternoon. I left the number where I can be reached if you need me. We will be staying in town since the parole meeting is early Saturday morning. I thought I might look for a few gifts too."

Joe was about to open his mouth when Fenton cut him off. "And yes, I have your Christmas lists with me right here in my pocket. I could not forget my great detective sons and their tools of the trade wish list."

"So you are going to stop by that shop that sells the equipment?" Joe asked excitedly. Frank and Joe both wanted some new surveillance things to put in the van to help them on their cases.

"I think we had plans on it, as long as you hold up your end of the bargain," Fenton said with a mischievous smile.

"What?" both brothers said together.

"DECORATE!" he said with a grin. Both boys grumbled, but nodded.

HOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKK! HON- HON- HONKKKKKKKKKK!

"That is Erza. I will see you boys later," Fenton said as he made his way to the front door. "And please, stay out of trouble until your mother gets home Sunday morning. I want a peaceful and mystery free Christmas this year."

Both boys nodded with a smile as their father left.

"So where do we start?" Joe asked, not budging from the couch.

"I will start lining the staircase and mantel with the pine garland. You can go and get the tree," Frank said, getting into a seated position.

"WAIT! Me? Get the tree? By myself?" Joe quipped looking up at his brother.

"You heard me. It would be a lot easier if you went and got the tree and I get everything else. I am giving you the easy job."

"Easy job? Where do you get that?" Joe said as he rolled over onto his back and looked over at Frank.

"All you have to do is go out to the Morton farm, take a saw, pick a tree, and bring it back here," Frank pointed out. "That is not that hard compared to some of the cases we have solved over the years."

"I think I would rather be chased by bad guys! Do you realize that I have to go clear out to the back part of the farm! I will have to drag the tree out of there!" Joe remarked.

"I am sure Iola or Chet will help. Besides it would give you and Iola a chance to spend some time together…alone," Frank added, cocking his brow and sporting a sly grin.

Joe turned red at the mention of being with Iola. Iola Morton had long been Joe’s girlfriend. She was a beautiful lass of sixteen with long black hair and a pixie complexion. While Joe played down his true feelings for Iola, Frank knew that Iola had Joe’s heart.

"Iola went with her mother shopping," Joe coyly said in response to Frank’s comment.

"Good, then Chet will be there then for sure," Frank answered. "We really don’t have time to poke around so you need to get going."

"And how am I going to get it home, my dear older brother? Last year I had the station wagon, but since you wrecked it, we don’t have it now to put the tree on top. I really don’t want to get all those pine needles in the van not to mention that a ten foot tree is not going to fit inside!"

"I am sure you will figure out a way. You have figured your way out of a lot of more dangerous situations than this one."

"Why do you get to dish out all of the orders?" Joe said, getting his boots on.

"Because I am the oldest," Frank said as he started to unpack the garland.

"Only by a year!"

"It is enough to make me the oldest. Besides, I would hate to think of what would happen if you didn’t do your part," Frank said, as he tested the white lights.

"What?"

"I would have to get old Aunt Gert after you then," Frank said with a laugh. Joe looked up at his brother and threw his toboggan at him.

"I can’t believe it Laura. You raise two boys that can traipse all over and handle everyone else’s business, but they can not even decorate a single house. It just makes no sense. Young people are just not family minded anymore, always on the go, never time for family…" Frank started to rant just like their beloved older aunt.

"FINE! Call Chet and tell him I am on my way out," Joe said with a grumble. He went over to the stand where the van’s keys were at that the boys shared. At least his best friend, Chet could help him. Chet was a good friend of both Hardys and often helped them on their cases. He was also Iola’s older brother. While a little on the chunky side, Chet was one of the nicest and most interesting guys he knew. Most of all, he knew where the best trees were on their tree farm.

"Aren’t you forgetting something my dear little brother?" Frank asked as Joe stopped to turn to face him.

Frank threw the toboggan back at his brother. "I can’t believe that you boys would go out in the cold half dressed. You should always have something on your feet, layers on your body and a heavy hat on your head. You know most people catch their death of colds because they simply will not dress for the season. Oh no! They have to walk around like we live in the tropics!" Frank said as he gave his best impression of one of Aunt Gertrude’s speeches.

"Your evil!" Joe snorted.

"I try!" Frank called back as Joe closed the door. Grumbling all the way to the van, Joe was on a mission. He was going to get to the farm, get the tree and get back. The younger Hardy was tired and soon he was going to be cold too.

"I wish I did live in the tropics. I don’t understand why we have to have a REAL tree anyway," Joe continued to mutter all the way to the Morton farm. "I know why, because they have ME to have to go and GET IT! They don’t have to do the HARD part of it."

Soon Joe arrived at the Morton house. Chet was waiting on him as his friend hopped into the van.

"Lets get a little closer by taking Tabor Road to the backside," the jolly boy exclaimed, his red hair sticking out from under his hunting hat.

"Sounds good to me! I just want to get this chore over," Joe quipped as he steered the van down the gravel road.

"Don’t be an Ebineezer my dear friend! It is the holiday season, the season for peace on Earth and goodwill towards men!" Chet said with a smile.

Joe just smirked at his friend and rolled his eyes. "By the way, why did you put two plastic sleds in the back? Don’t we just need one for the tree?"

"I thought we might do what we used to do as kids. Remember?" Chet asked excitedly.

"What was that?"

"Well, we have to go up on the BIG hill this time. So I thought it would be easier and faster for us to sled back down it!"

"WHAT! And what about the tree?"

"I have rope, we can pull it down behind us!"

Joe had to smile at that thought. "We are probably going to regret it, but it sounds adventurous and I have not had a good mystery or adventure in a while. You think up some great ideas, you know."

"Hey, if I can save us a few steps, then I will. Not tomention, dad is making hot chocolate and the sooner we get back, the sooner we can have some!"

"It figures food would have to be a part of the whole scheme with you," Joe said as he parked the van by the back fence area.

Soon both boys were on their way on their mile hike armed with a saw, rope and two plastic sleds.