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.

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.

I put the sticky lights back on the tree just so I could untangle them with you later.

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.