The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, unaware that Shaquille O’Neal soon would be there.

The NBA legend made a surprise appearance at a JCPenney photo studio in New York on Wednesday as families posed in front of a mantle, fireplace and Christmas tree backdrop for holiday portraits.

The picture on the Christmas cards they’ll soon mail to loved ones will include a holly jolly, 7-foot-1 photobomber.

“He was like, ‘Can I take a picture with y’all?’” Empress Polite said of Shaq crashing her family’s photo shoot. “Yeah!”

And O’Neal wasn’t quite finished spreading the early holiday cheer.

“He gave us a $1,000 gift card to go shopping,” Polite added.

Each of the three families that were arranged to be surprised in the studios at the time, all with children who are members of the

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