. >> but as delia goncalves shows us, one school principal is trying to change that. >> 'twas the night before christmas. >> reporter: it starts with a story. >> not a creature was stirring. >> reporter: and ends with a surprise visit. >> hello, everybody. >> reporter: but this christmas celebration is really about the spirit of glassmanor elementary school in oxon hill, giving hope to hundreds of families struggling to put food on the table and gifts under the tree. >> giving away the gifts to the kids. something the kids don't have too much. >> i've never heard of a school doing that so it shocked me last year when they did it. >> it's about the kids and about maintaining our attendance. >> reporter: in fact, that's how the gift giveaway started in 2005, the school was facing record poor attendance so they came up with an incentive program and it worked. >> our attendance is 9494 points -- is now 94 points. >> all students who attend school here will get a gift but because of the snow there was a slight delay in some donations. the rest of the gifts will be distributed to each and eve