12. They Missed the Deadline

Well, here’s a wry take on the unpredictable nature of holiday shopping for kids. It’s a humorous reminder that parents’ efforts to tick off every item on the original Christmas list can be as fleeting as a snowflake in a warm hand when the “updated” list rolls in.

Just when you think you’ve crossed the finish line, it turns out it was just a mirage in the snowy desert of parenting. It’s the kind of moment that could make Santa himself double-check his list—twice. Really, they just be given a deadline, problem solved.