Surprise The With the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Surprise Them With the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Most everyone expects to get gifts at Christmas. We make wish lists so friends and family shopping on our behalf know what we want. It's all fairly predictable. I think the element of surprise adds something special to gift giving, but some people don't like surprises.A couple of enlightening encounters at home indicate my husband may be one of them.

He was measuring the width of the kitchen window, a pencil in his mouth, the tape measure stretched atop the curtains. Clearly, he was engrossed in the task at hand and of the opinion that he was alone in the room. Had he known anyone was handy, he surely would have asked for help. In that moment, I realized I could either speak up and scare him to death, or I could exit the room and enter more noisily. "What are you doing?" I asked. He grabbed the walls, inhaled the pencil, and choked out an unintelligible greeting.

"Sorry," I apologized when the laughter subsided and I could breathe again. "Did I startle you?"

Maybe it's the adrenaline rush of surprising someone so thoroughly their hair stands on end. Maybe it's the chance to add some spice to your life. Maybe it's the pleasure of laughing hysterically at someone else's expense. I'm not sure exactly why it appeals to me, but I definitely enjoy a good surprise. I think the spouse feels differently.

He thoroughly enjoys his naps in the recliner with his favorite poodle, Honey. They kick off their shoes, cover up with a comfy blanket and fall easily into deep slumber, belly-up and oblivious to the world. One of them snores contentedly while the other snoozes on stand-by. The disturbing thing about sleeping with Honey is that she barks at the slightest provocation. She alerts us to doorbells on TV, dust bunnies coursing beneath the sofa and imaginary footsteps. So, if you watch this napfest for any length of time, you are sure to witness a most satisfying display of unmitigated surprise.

I happened to luck up on one such Honey eruption recently. Who knows what set her off? It could have been the clanging of moth's wings or the melting of butter, but in the midst of an extended recliner session, Honey went into full throttle siren mode. While she bounced around on all fours, delivering the news from La-Z-Boy central, her partner levitated with eyes wide and mouth agape, looking like Scrooge on his tour of Christmases past.

It's likely sinful how much I enjoy a good surprise.

Yes, I've been on the receiving end. We had a mouse in the house on two occasions. Both cats yawned, uninspired, while I sunk my nails into the ceiling. Once, when I thought I was home alone while my family shopped, my daughter materialized from around the corner and I nearly vaporized on the spot.

And, every Christmas, we hang the Singing Wreath in our foyer. There's nothing like padding to bed in the dark, only to freeze in place to the screeching tune of "Deck the Halls" and the flash of illuminated eyeballs. The wreath once regaled my aunt on her return from the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning. Come to think of it, she hasn't spent the night with us since.

Maybe you want to surprise a loved one this Christmas. You could sneak up on them when they least expect it with a bunch of mistletoe or a box of chocolate. You could call someone out of the blue to wish them a happy holiday. Whatever it is, don't underestimate how the element of surprise can make this Christmas one they'll never forget. Lasting memories are the ultimate gifts that keep on giving.

Catch Kristen's columns at every Friday in The Hattiesburg American at www.hattiesburgamerican.com