I untied your shoelaces quietly so you’ll have to kneel to retie them.

Ignore Grandma’s fruitcake; I made something you’ll actually ask for seconds of.

I left a single mitten on the doorstep; if you pick it up I’ll return something better.

Save me the first cup of coffee tomorrow; I plan to steal it and the rest of your morning.

I moved your slippers to the hallway; fetch them and fetch me too.

I put frost on the window so you’ll have to warm it with your breath — and mine.

I switched our playlist to sleigh bells and my own set of suggestions.

Hide your scarf under the tree and come looking; I’ll make it worth the hunt.

I bookmarked the page you skimmed this morning; come back and I’ll finish the sentence.

Don’t open that parcel; it’s a decoy. The real surprise is in the pantry.

I tied a ribbon round your mug; returning it tangled will earn you a different kind of knot.

Wear the button-up shirt I left on the chair; it looks better on your floor later.

I left you the last chocolate on purpose; your reward is in my kitchen.

I hid the mistletoe in a book; you’ll have to read my favourite chapter to find it.

Set an alarm for ten — I’ll make sure you wish you’d set it earlier.

I replaced the snow globe with one that says ‘naughty’; come prove it wrong.

Lock the front door and pretend you forgot the keys — I’ll come rescue you.

I put fairy lights in my pockets; they’re for guiding you to the bed.

I rewrapped your present twice just to add an extra minute with you.

Don’t finish that leftover turkey; I’m saving the best bite for you.

I wrapped my playlist and I want you to unwrap it in the dark.

Leave the lights on outside; I’ll be arriving with mischief in both hands.

I stole the key to your stocking; come get it if you want what’s inside.

Hide your phone in the drawer — I planned the rest of the night already.

I moved your car closer to my door so you won’t have to walk alone in that coat.

Wear the red scarf — it clashes with the tree but not with me.

I put cinnamon on your mug; come back with a kiss to make it sweeter.

Bring the binoculars; I want you close enough to whisper about the neighbour’s tacky wreath.

I rewound the Christmas movie to the scene you love so we can skip straight to the good part.

Don’t feed the crackers to the dog; they’re for us at midnight.

I left the rooftop lanterns lit — they’re for signalling you to my place.

There’s a candy cane in your shoe and a better surprise in my pocket.

I hid the ugly sweater in your coat pocket so you’ll have to come home early.

Eat the mince pie but save room for dessert I’m delivering upstairs.

Bring the fuzzy socks; I’ve got plans that don’t include the neighbours’ carol singing.

You falling asleep with the playlist still on made me grateful in a simple way.

I felt full when you handed me the plate you made first.

I liked that you remembered to buy extra batteries and saved the evening.

I’m smiling at the way you folded the napkins; it’s the small careful things.

Your sleepy ‘come to bed’ after the clean-up was everything I wanted.