A video capturing a family’s surprise Christmas sleepover for their grandparents has gone viral, breathing new life into a cherished tradition that had been dormant for several years. The touching reunion features cousins surprising octogenarian grandparents, Toni and Carroll Blackstock, in their home in Los Gatos, California, just days before Christmas.
The video, posted by Daniel Miller, 35, on Facebook, has garnered over 12 million views and 111,000 likes as of Wednesday. It showcases the joy of family love and unity, as cousins arrive with sleeping bags and hugs, re-creating “Grandparents’ Christmas,” a beloved family tradition that began more than 25 years ago. “We had no idea that this was going to go viral,” Miller admitted. “We honestly just made this video for the cousins and the extended family, and obviously, our grandparents to remember the day.”
The video starts with Miller and his wife entering the living room, where the caption reads, “When you used to sleepover at your grandparents’ house every Christmas with all the cousins, and you surprise them with the same tradition as adults.” As the song “Home” by Phillip Phillips plays in the background, the scene unfolds with one cousin after another rolling in, each carrying pillows and excitement.
Toni Blackstock, 86, rises from her chair to greet her grandchildren with warmth, while Carroll Blackstock, 89, beams with delight. The video showcases the family preparing their traditional homemade pizza and sharing laughter and stories around the table. An engaging craft activity follows, where cousins painted their hands to leave colorful palm prints on each other’s backs, symbolizing their close-knit bond.
Reflecting on the tradition, Miller shared that it began when his grandmother organized a festive sleepover, complete with pizza and drumstick ice cream cones. As the cousins grew older, the tradition faded. “We haven’t done this for about six years or so,” Miller noted. However, following the loss of her grandparents, Miller’s wife, Stephanie, inspired him to revive the family tradition. “She helped me to kind of stop and realize what I have,” he explained, emphasizing the rarity of having both grandparents alive at his age.
Inspired by other touching holiday videos circulating on social media, the couple decided to film the surprise. An aunt orchestrated a fake outing to view Christmas lights with Grandma Toni to set the stage. “The fun of the video was for her to be confused,” Miller recounted, noting how the realization dawned on her as more cousins arrived.
In total, half of the cousins present ended up sleeping over, creating a joyful atmosphere filled with love and laughter. Miller expressed appreciation for the video’s impact, stating, “We put everything aside when it comes to family, especially at the holidays.” He acknowledged the importance of maintaining connections, especially in a time when many families face divisions.
The video continues to resonate with viewers, receiving over 5,000 comments filled with heartfelt responses. The Blackstock family’s story serves as a reminder of the power of tradition and the enduring bonds of family during the holiday season.
