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

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

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

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

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.

Bring the paper crowns; I have rulings that require immediate attention.

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.

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

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

Steal one of my gloves and I’ll trade you something warmer.

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.

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.

Cancel your evening — I hid the advent chocolate under your pillow.

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.

Your quick joke by the garland broke my stress and made me laugh again.

You walking back in with the last bag made the room exhale.

I felt calm when you tucked the blanket around both of our knees.

I kept replaying your whisper about the surprise and smiled the whole night.

Your tired ‘I did my best’ after the party was the sweetest sound.

I loved when you paused to show me the single ornament you rescued.

I liked how you chose the playlist and let me complain about one song.

Seeing you rehearse a silly toast made the whole evening easier.

Sitting with you while we waited for the roast felt like the best wait.

Your socks by the heater are making me plan to steal them later.

I felt happy watching you read the card out loud, stumbling over one line.

That moment you handed me the ribbon made me want to hold your hand.