Being Terribly Awkward With Christmas Carolers

So, okay.

Carolers are awesome and such, don't get me wrong, but what do you do when they come to your door?

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This happened to me a few days ago. I had just washed my hair and I air dry, so it was wet. I was in my pajamas with no bra on. I was reading a book. (Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks.) The rest of my family were upstairs on electronics.

The doorbell rang.

I shouldn't have answered. But supposed it was a package? There's a rise in porch pirates, so I couldn't leave it sitting out there.

So I answered. With dripping hair. In my pajamas. Without a bra.

A boy dressed as Santa stared back at me. I jumped. He jumped and nervously handed me a wrapped chocolate pretzel rod and a mint.

"Oh," I said, startled. "Thank you." And I went to shut the door because again I'm standing there with dripping hair, pajamas, and no bra. I didn't want to scar the lad for life. He couldn't have been older than 10.

But then he said, "Wait! We're going to sing for you!" and my heart dropped. I hadn't noticed before, but there was a group of people at the end of the driveway. Staring. At me. With dripping hair. Without a bra.

Would it have been rude to run into the house? Probably, yes. So I stepped out on the porch. It looked like it was a bunch of high schoolers, with some adults and small kids mixed in.

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I stared awkwardly as they began to sing. A few looked shocked to see me because when my hair has just been washed, I sort of look like a wet dog.

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Still, the show must go on, so the group sang "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" while my hair dripped on my bare feet. I crossed my arms over my chest so no one could tell I wasn't wearing a bra.

It is so terribly, terribly awkward to have a group of strangers sing at you, I'm sorry. I don't know the rules here. Do I join in? Dance? Am I supposed to offer them a treat? I didn't have enough to feed a group. The only cookies I had in the house were stale Oreos because no one likes to bake here.

I stared as they sang with what I hoped was a normal looking smile on my face. I worried I looked like this though:

The song seemed to go on forever. I surreptitiously tried to get a family member downstairs.

"Kids?" I hissed from the side of my mouth so as not to interrupt. "Anyone?"

No luck.

It was only me. In my pajamas. With no bra. And dripping hair.

I was so worried they'd start singing another song, so when they finished, I clapped enthusiastically and went, "Thank you, thank you, you did great!" and turned to head inside.

But really, was I supposed to tip them? I have no earthly idea.

I think it's a sweet thing to do, spreading Christmas cheer and all, and yeah, maybe you just don't open the door if you don't want to hear singing, but again, I thought it was a package.

"Merry Christmas," I told the group as they moved on to the next house. I swear I frightened some by my appearance and for that, I apologize.

So what do YOU do if carolers come to your door? And if you are a caroler, what do you expect from the people who you sing at?