Hell Hath No Fury As a Dad Scorned

For three young boys in Texas, this Christmas Day was a little less exuberant than usual. When they failed to meet their irate father's injunction to improve their behaviour, he logged on to eBay and put their presents up for auction.

"No. Kidding," read the post of the Pasadena father. "Three undeserving boys have crossed the line. Tonight we sat down and showed them what they WILL NOT get for Christmas this year. I'll be taking the tree down tomorrow. If you don't buy them, we'll return them to the store."

The children were warned the Nintendo DS video system was at risk after bad behaviour last week.

"We told them they were destroying each other and the calm and peace in the household. It had to stop," the anonymous father told the Houston Chronicle.

The boys - aged nine, 11 and 15 - promised to try harder but the next day they were up to their old tricks again.

That night, the 41-year-old father said he would indeed be putting $700 (£364) in video console and games on to eBay.

By Christmas night the tree had gone and bidding for the gifts had stopped at $1,700, with the proceeds going towards the family's church.

Although they did not get the best gifts their mother said they had received others: "The kids had a wonderful Christmas. It was as it should be, though a bit toned down."