How to Get The Mom/Dad of the Year Award in December

how to surprise kids at Christmas.jpg

Nope, it’s by standing in line in the wee hours of the morning for a Furby, or an XBox, or an iPad.

It goes something like this…

Trick your kids into thinking it’s bedtime early.  Get them in their Christmas pajamas, teeth brushed, and other bedtime shenanigans.

And then pray something like this…

“Dear Jesus, Thank you for the day you’ve given to us today.  Thank you for surprises. Thank you that we don’t have to go to bed right now, and that there is something even better in store…”

Then open your eyes and watch for reactions, and reveal the details…

Our surprise was going downtown to watch The Polar Express on IMAX 3D. {pssst…it’s only $6.98 on Amazon right now…and the other DVDs for under $5 are still available!  Insane…}

Perhaps yours is going out for hot chocolate and cookies, or a drive around to look at Christmas lights, or any sort of festive activity.  {Anything trumps bedtime!}

It was like we had just given each of them a thousand dollars to spend on toys. They pranced around the house. They squealed. They cheered. They jumped. They thanked us a million times. They hugged.

 It was absolutely priceless.

And you know what, it takes away the pressure to get them the ultimate gift or overspend.  These are the memories the Christmas season is made of…