Time to peek?

Tonight Elder Daughter came over and wrapped a few gifts to the boys from us.  She sent them into our bedroom to watch television while she worked and took the wrapping materials from the closet.  Sounding like a surgeon (Tape?  Scissors?  Labels?, Bows? Yes Doctor, here they are!), she  set up her work station (dining room table) and started with the first box.  She was able to complete the project and I wrote out labels and stole the tape back to attach them.  Slap a bow on top and add the box to the growing  pile. 

She called the boys to come and carry the pile of presents out to the van.  The gifts will wind up under her tree to be opened on Christmas morning.  She says the boys will not shake, pick at tape or rummage among the pile - they know what will happen should they be found trying to see what any box contains.  The threat dominates the conversation; if they are found trying to peek - that present will immediately be returned to the seller and will not be given. 

I'm not sure my DNA is present in these people.  I can recall carefully peeling scotch tape when it used to be only  the shiny variety.  If you went slowly enough, you could get enough tape off to be able to open the paper and maybe read the box.  I almost never tore the gift wrap when opening a present.  My younger brother could just pick up a present and shake it - then announce that it was clothes or toy soldiers.  He was almost  always correct and could remove a box from within the wrapping so deftly that no one could tell which gift he had been into.  Except for the year we wrapped up rocks and chains in a heavily taped box and put them under the tree.  He couldn't figure out that heavy present that clanked.  He was intrigued, though. When he finally got to open it on Christmas day his face was a mix of surprise and shock.  Huh?  What is this!  We brought out the real gift that had lain quietly hidden away.  I don't think he quite ever forgave us for that gift.  I don't know what he imagined it could have been - we just knew he would be all over it trying to outsmart us and find out what was inside. 

Still, we look forward to the joyful morning when family gathers and each gift is undone and the thanks are given and the older folks believe the younger ones had no idea what was in the box and under the paper and ribbon - at least until the moment of the opening and the squeal of, "Thank you, Grandma or Grampa!"