> At a Glance
> – The Walter siblings have battled annually since 2006 for a gold gift bag that crowns the parents’ favorite
> – This year’s ceremony exploded into viral chaos when Sarah torched a decoy bag on TikTok
> – Only the four siblings can win; spouses, grand-kids, even Dad are banned
> – Why it matters: Proof that family rivalries can stay playful-and highly entertaining-well into adulthood
Every December, Rebecca Rutherford and her three siblings ditch holiday peace for a cut-throat contest: who gets the coveted Golden Bag and the unofficial title of Mom and Dad’s favorite.
How the Golden Bag Took Over Christmas
The tradition started in 2006 when the brothers and sister noticed their frugal mom, Diane Walter, re-using the same glittering gift bag. They joked it marked the chosen child; the gag hardened into an annual event complete with secret gifts and year-round smack-talk.
Campaign rules are simple:
- Only the four Walter kids qualify
- No spouses, grand-kids, pets-or Dad
- Mom picks the winner; Dad hands over the bag
- Gifts inside are bizarre and tailor-made
Inside the Bag-and the Prank War
Past loot includes:
- A custom Jesse bobble-head
- A “goats in trees” calendar for Jeremy
- Poolside-people candles for Sarah
Rebecca explains:
> “There’s a lot of smack talk and sucking up to Mom-‘You’re not getting the bag acting like that!'”
This year, Sarah retaliated for a September baby-secret prank by setting a fake Golden Bag ablaze in a now-viral TikTok. The real bag survived, sparing the family a four-alarm feud.
Will the Next Generation Keep It Going?
With eight grandchildren already in the mix, Rebecca is recruiting the cousins for a future bracket. Two kids of her own could make the stakes delightously weird.
Key Takeaways
- The Walter Golden Bag contest has run 18 years without bruised egos
- Victory is subjective; even lunch-stand-ups can be forgiven
- One viral prank later, the tradition is intact-and bigger online
- Future grand-kid tournaments could multiply the mayhem
As long as Diane keeps re-using that glittering bag, sibling diplomacy stays on hold every Christmas.
