Interred: The Twelve Promises of Christmas

"Let's go and see all our presents!", said Little W, excitedly. But here was a surprise. Yes Santa had been - the sherry and milk had been drunk and the carrot and mince pie eaten. But where were the stockings? And where are all the presents? Instead, each of them got an envelope where their stockings had been...

...with a letter...

Have you been good? A grumpy old man took your presents from me. I don’t know where he put them. Maybe your brother and sister can help you find them. With lots of love from Santa.

Each of them also got a picture and they had to put them together to find where the next clue is...

In all there were 12 clues to solve each made from 3 pictures. Try clicking on the image below if you want to try solving them for yourself...

But here was the really cunning bit. Each clue of three pictures came in an envelope with a statement on the outside...

...along the lines of..

If you promise to clean your teeth every day and night you may open this envelope for your next clue.

So by the time they found their stockings in Dad's car boot, they had all promised to...

Clean their teeth day and night

Help around the house when asked

Keep their rooms tidy

Do what Mum or Dad asks, straight away

Help set and clear the table

Be ready to go out on time without needing to be shouted at

Be nice to each other

Do their music practice, homework and reading without being nagged

Not moan when asked to go on a walk and

All keep all the other promises all of the time.

The back of the envelopes all had a message -“Keep this envelope, you may need it later”. And here's why... When they opened their stocking, they each had another message: "If … the … your … your … Dad … him … can", "You … rest … presents … envelopes … and … if … have", "Want … of … take … to … ask … you … them".

Big Miss figured it out straight away. You have to read from each message one word at a time. So, after a final promise on another card from Santa...

Well that grumpy old man turned out to be your Dad!. He said you can open this present only if you promise to share and use it only when Mum or Dad says you can (and when they’re not using it)

...they then got to open this present...