A Texas family’s heartwarming Christmas prank on their unsuspecting grandmother has taken the internet by storm. Kaylee Hulse and her relatives orchestrated a playful scheme, “borrowing” items from 75-year-old Cloye McGinley’s home and wrapping them as Christmas gifts.
Hulse, who shares a close bond with her grandmother, explained to PEOPLE exclusively that McGinley’s trusting nature and delightful reactions made her the perfect target for a harmless prank. Inspired by a similar TikTok trend, Hulse and her mother enlisted the help of McGinley’s husband, Jackson, to discreetly gather items while she was away. Their collection included a red and white coffee cup, a “forgive” stone, a bathroom sign reading “blessed,” two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, a Bath & Body Works gift set, Clinique lotion, a butterfly magnet, a leopard-print cardigan, a friendship-themed sign, and a hand-painted frog.
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On Christmas Day, Hulse worried that her grandmother might not recognize the items. However, McGinley immediately identified the red and white coffee cup, setting the stage for a series of hilarious reactions. The family struggled to contain their laughter as McGinley unwrapped each familiar item, expressing concern that the gifts seemed inexpensive. Hulse recounted how her uncle, Trey Gann, erupted in laughter disguised as a coughing fit, prompting McGinley to offer him water and rub his back.
The highlight of the prank was McGinley’s reaction to the hand-painted frog. A lover of frogs, McGinley had a collection of frog-themed items in her home and often shared the saying “Forever Rely On God” (FROG) with her granddaughter. Unbeknownst to Hulse, the gifted frog was one that McGinley had painted herself, making the moment even more special.
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Hulse captured the entire prank on video and shared it on TikTok, where it quickly amassed 16.7 million views and over 10,000 comments. Viewers were charmed by McGinley’s good-natured response and sharp memory. Comments flooded in, praising her sense of humor and expressing nostalgia for similar moments with their own grandparents.
After the gift exchange, the family returned all the items to McGinley. Hulse hopes the video encourages others to cherish their relationships with loved ones and create lasting memories. She emphasized the importance of spending quality time with family and not taking life too seriously. McGinley herself thoroughly enjoyed the prank and was delighted by its viral success, proving that laughter and love are truly the best gifts of all.
