Christmas version of "My Dad was a Prankster"

[Retired Engineer Bob]

I was about 6 years old. My folk’s parents would come out to our house to celebrate Christmas Eve. This almost qualifies as a family reunion seeing as mom and dad were both only children.

Believe it or not, this is a true story.

Dinner would be served around 6:00 or 7:00 pm. Afterwards the adults would have a drink and play cards. Gifts would be opened at some point.

My brother Hank and I should have been suspicious, but were obedient to mom’s take a bath edict. After we got into the tub, all hell broke out.

A bang on the front door, sleigh bells ringing, and a very loud “HO, HO, HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS” was bellowed. On retrospect, I think this was dad’s disguised voice, not Santa’s.

Hank and I were not confused on the next voice, it was dad’s for sure, and boy was he pissed 😡.

“Hey fatso, get your damned deer off the roof, they’re kicking off the shingles” he yelled.

Hank and I were now in panic mode. Mom had to restrain us from running into the living room, we were still naked. “Don’t yell at Santa” I shouted as we frantically got dressed.

As we got to the living room, we saw an abundance of gifts stacked around the Christmas tree. Hank and I got a generous haul, previous angst was quickly overcome. Kids are resilient, although I still remember.

Try this with your kids at your own risk. I am working on a disclaimer form I would like you to sign as well.

[Bayard]

1. Fun!

[flying_wahini]

3. I remember when I was almost 5 & it snowed on Christmas Eve. It was a Magical night.

Anyway the next morning my Dad walked us outside to the backyard to show us the sleigh’s tracks in the snow.
(He had made them the night before). I then remembered that I had woken up and saw him dragging boards around late at night, but didn’t know that was his plan.
The next morning I pegged his lie and he whispered “shhhhh- don’t say anything to the others).
Still magical.