Cabin Fever

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of bullying.

During the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 12-year-old Greg Heffley becomes very alert and mildly stressed out by the prospect of being constantly under surveillance by both his parents and Santa. Every little bad choice seems to get blown out of proportion, and Greg foresees himself getting only one gift while his younger brother, Manny, gets dozens. Greg lies awake at night thinking about whether Santa might be watching him, and he is skeptical of Santa’s list since it sometimes seems like the “naughty” kids are the ones who get the best presents. Greg’s mom also has an elf doll from when she was a little girl, and she places it around the house to show that Santa is always watching. Greg has found it on the mantle, the bookshelf, and even in the shower.

Putting up the Christmas tree is embarrassing for Greg since his mother insists on using homemade ornaments featuring photos of Greg and his older brother Rodrick as toddlers. When Manny finds out that he missed decorating the tree, he insists that everyone take the ornaments off so that he can be the first to put one on.