(Strip Number 1388, Original Publication Date, 22 December 1987)
Panel 1: We start things off with Elly carrying another big load of clothes so we can be reminded that she's a busy mother with no help and no time to herself; as she saunters down the hallway, she notices that for some reason, someone evil and heartless has tracked branches from a tree across her nice clean floor.
Panel 2: The trail of ruin and mother-hatred and victimization leads to the living room.
Panel 3: Elly stands there like a pole-axed ewe when the kids yell "SURPRISE!!!" as they and John show off the Christmas tree.
Summary: In a normal household (like the ones people who think this is a warm-hearted family strip have), Elly would share in the magic. Since this is an exercise in clutching a whining moron to our bosoms and crying bitter, angry tears because she's the victim of all victims surpassing all others, we can expect an incoherent stream of angry babbling about how they're being cruel to her followed by her weeping to Connie because for some reason, her husband and children see her as a reproving kill-joy who doesn't know how to smile or laugh.