For Hana Buscke and her family in New Zealand, this year’s Christmas surprise didn’t come wrapped in paper or tied with a bow.
It fluttered.
Late last month, Buscke and her husband picked out a beautiful Christmas tree from a local tree farm and brought it home, excited to decorate. What they didn’t realize was that the tree wasn’t empty.
It was occupied.
While trimming a few longer branches before carrying the tree inside, something small suddenly tumbled out of the greenery and onto the ground.
It was a tiny baby bird.
“We immediately wrapped the little one in a blanket to warm it up and ran to check the truck, just in case there were more. And we found another!” Buscke said. “Then we searched around the area and inside the tree again, and found the nest with another baby still inside.”
Three fragile nestlings had unknowingly been transported miles from home when the tree was cut down and sold. Separated from their parents, they had little chance of surviving on their own.
But they weren’t alone anymore.
Buscke’s husband, who had previously worked at a wildlife rescue center, knew what to do. The couple made a decision right then and there: They would raise the birds themselves.
The days that followed were filled with frequent feedings and careful monitoring.
“It has definitely been a demanding job,” Buscke said. “We have to feed them very often during the day, but luckily, they sleep beautifully through the night.”
Slowly, the tiny, helpless babies began to transform. Downy fluff gave way to feathers. Weak chirps grew stronger. In less than two weeks, the change was remarkable.
“We’re so proud of how strong and brave they’ve become in such a short time,” Buscke said.
To help prepare them for life outside, the family built a temporary outdoor enclosure in their yard, giving the young birds space to stretch their wings and practice short flights while staying safe.
“They already look like they’ll be ready to fly off very soon,” Buscke said.
By the time Christmas arrives, the birds may very well be soaring freely on their own.
But for the Busckes, the holiday magic has already happened.
“They truly became our little Christmas surprises, and we just wanted to give them the best chance to grow strong,” Buscke said.
Along the way, the experience brought unexpected lessons.
“I thought we would be the ones teaching them,” she reflected. “But in many ways they are teaching us, too — patience, gentleness, and how to slow down and appreciate the smallest moments.”
When the family finally identified the species of their festive houseguests, it added one last joyful twist: the babies were greenfinches.
“We found out they are greenfinches, which sounds a bit like Christmas Grinch,” Buscke laughed. “It made us smile, because instead of stealing Christmas, they actually became the sweetest part of ours.”
This year, the most meaningful gifts weren’t placed under the tree.
They were hidden inside it.
