The world (at least our part of it) is divided into two camps – those who want to be surprised on Christmas morning and those who snoop. My friend Eva, the oldest of six children, was a snooper. Every year as the presents began to appear under the tree, Eva would sneak down when mom and dad weren’t noticing, razor blade in hand, Scotch tape in her pocket. She would quietly open every single package, check the contents, and seal it back up as neat as you please. Mom and dad were none the wiser. But Opal, her younger sister, was a girl who loved surprises. One Christmas Opal was longing for a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer wallet. “Oh, I hope I get that wallet! It’s all I really want!” “Well, let’s go find out. Come with me. Mom and Dad are at the store; they’ll never know. “Both girls crept down to the tree. Eva showed Opal just how to slit those packages open without getting cut. Soon Opal gave a cry of delight.“Look, Eva! Here it is! Can I just keep it now?”“Goodness, no! Mom and Dad will find out what we’re doing. Here, let me wrap it up again before they get back.”So the girls taped everything up tight and tidy and waited for Christmas morning.When it finally came, and Opal opened her wallet, she surprised everyone by bursting into tears.“Why Honey, whatever is the matter? You’ve been asking for that wallet for weeks!”Opal continued to wail. “Eva spoiled my surprise!”
So there you have it. To snoop or not to snoop. I’m definitely in the nonsnooping camp and am devastated if I ever stumble onto a surprise gift. How about you?
