The scent of the oiled leather makes your nose twitch again, and you rub it absently as you head for the door. Pausing beside the bin (helpfully labeled "Take One!"), you pick up a shiny gold bell, surprised to find that it's attached to a thick leather strap - they all are! What a generous gift! Shaking it, you close your eyes and listen to the clear, beautiful sound, something seeming to resonate with it from deep inside you.
"I can pin that on you if you'd like, mister?" you open your eyes to see that the elf from outside has appeared in the doorway, a twinkle in his eye. "I can see that our Christmas cheer is really working it's magic on you! In fact... here, I have just the thing..." he begins rummaging in another bin, coming up with another leather strap with a buckle on one end. "Those straps are actually made to attach to a collar like this one. Would you like to try it on and really get a feel for what our reindeer experience?"
You haven't felt this jolly in a long time, and while you wouldn't normally put on more than a santa hat around the holiday, you decide to let the spirit guide you! "That'd be fun," you agree, handing him the bell you selected and watching as he clips it to the collar. Turning around and crouching on the ground, you allow him to buckle the loose strap around your neck. Multiple bells are jingling as he does so, and you realize he's attached a few extras, the sound filling your ears as they settle on your shoulders.
Your ears are tingling as you rise to your feet, and your head feels a little heavy and muzzy, perhaps from that mug of mulled wine before. Thanking the stable elf once again, you slowly make your way back down the aisle, not noticing that you've left your coat in the tack room. Outside you almost collide with another little elf, this one female and carrying a basket full of carrots.
"Oh my, don't you look handsome!" she exclaims, a wide grin splitting her face. "Those jingle bells were just what you needed! My name is Holly - would you like a carrot?"
Everyone is so generous around here, you think, accepting a carrot with a nod. Crunching half of it in one bite, you chew contentedly, enjoying the way your bells chime with every step. It feels much warmer than when you entered the barn - you feel like you could stay out all night!