The Clementine Clue Hunt
Christmas morning Noel woke to the smell of coffee and pancakes. Jumping out of bed he ran downstairs to find out what Santa Claus had left him. To his surprise, there were no gifts under the tree that he and sister had decorated with tinsel, lights, ornaments and fresh rinds of lemon, lime and clementines. His father had once explained that lemons, limes and clementines were symbols of prosperity and good luck in the holiday season. Noel was always a little skeptical about the clementine part and thought they only said it because it rhymed.
His mom took this supposed Eastern European tradition to the extreme by making citrus marmalades and syrups as holiday gifts – most of the time clementine flavored due to it being in season. Traditions are traditions thought Noel as he slumped into the dining room chair.
“What is the matter?”his mother asked with a smirk. “Mom, where are the presents?” Noel whined. “Your father and I decided you were both too old to just run down the stairs and start ripping paper off present. So we decided to do a small hunt for you! After breakfast you and your sister will be given your first clues. Each clue will lead to a Clementine that is attached to your next clue and so on until you find the final clementine clue that will lead you to your Christmas gifts. “Mom, are you serious? I’m 13, I’m too old for these stupid games.” His mother rolled her eyes, shoved a plate of pancakes in front of him and responded, “then I guess you are too old for presents then.” Sighing Noel gave in, “Fine I’ll play along.”
Hearing his sister trample down the stairway and then scream dramatically at the sight of the lonely tree, he laughed to himself and shoveled the first pancake down. After breakfast they were given their first clue. Each clue was a recording of their lives and led to related objects and the next clementine clue. When they reached final clementine, they had the same clementine clue. So they worked out the answer as the team of twins they were. Low and behold their final clementine clue was a riddle about the tree. Upon re-entering the living room where the tree stood, they were overwhelmed by presents. Their parents had used the time of the clementine clue hunt to fill the void under the tree and get the camera ready. This years Christmas would end like it always had afterall, with a tradition of a tree in a sea of presents- but only after their family started a new tradition of their own- the clementine clue hunt.
Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves
At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.
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