Time passes slowly when you're an earth spirit and no one lives on the land.
It's Christmas in Whisper and Anna Barringer wants a doll. The settlement is new and no one can be spared to go to the city and shop with what little coin they have.
They aren't even going to have a tree because the house is too small. Anna gathers berries and pinecones and with the help of the earth spirit that resides on Whisper decorates her own, outside.
The earth spirit has her own ideas about gifts and humans as she struggles to find a way to make the little girl happy.
"Christmas Whispers" is a short story of Whisper, although it takes place long before the series begins.