Dad is unable to come home because the roads are closed, so he stays in a nearby hotel. Soon a blizzard arrives and Greg, Rodrick, Mom and Manny are snowed in. When Greg returns home, there is a note from the police and Greg assumes it is because of the poster incident and thinks that the police will send him to prison. After Rowley makes an anonymous tip to the principal, Greg is caught and has to clean off the paint by himself, even when he told Vice Principal Roy the true story. When Greg and Rowley see the ruined wall, they flee the crime scene. His latest money making scheme backfires when neon green paint from the posters leak onto the school wall, due to rain. He and Rowley go to put up posters to advertise their idea. Greg tries to sell "Drummies" (chicken drumsticks) for a lower price than the school. To make matters worse, Greg's mother stumbles upon "Santa's Scout ", a magical elf toy that observes the behaviour of children and then reports back to Sant a at the North Pole, which causes Greg to become even more anxious around Santa's scout which is placed in the kitchen. He is also nervous because Santa can "see him when he's sleeping and know wh en he's awake" and is doubtful if he will make it onto the naughty or nice list. It is the Christmas holiday season, and Greg is becoming a nervous wreck due to the constant pressure to behave and act sensible for the entire month of December being put on him by his parents.