But then her older brother, who is supposed to be off training with the Army, walked in the door.
Nick Mathis shocked his sister Megan by showing up at the Saint Mary School in Vineland, New Jersey.
He had been away at basic training in Georgia since Oct. 24, and his family was not expecting him home for Christmas.
"I got back and I'm so excited to see my little sisters and stuff. My sister Taylor, my little sister Megan. I didn't think I'd cry either, but I burst out," said Mathis.
Mathis will get to spend the holiday at home before he heads back to complete his training.