Is it cruel to take Christmas away from kids as punishment? [View All]

[Xithras]

Two weeks ago I told my two older kids (12 and 9) that they had to behave for two weeks, keep their bedrooms clean, and help around the house WITHOUT ME ASKING, if they wanted a Christmas this year. This wasn't an out of the blue ultimatum, but came after weeks of fighting with them over their trashing the house, them fighting with each other incessantly, and them refusing to clean their bedrooms (I literally cannot see the carpet in my daughters room anymore, every square inch is covered in junk). The two weeks ends tomorrow morning, and nothing has changed. They still haven't cleaned their rooms, they fight like cats and dogs, and if anything the messes they're leaving around the house have gotten WORSE (example: my son dumped half a two liter of root beer on the kitchen counter and floor, and walked off without cleaning it up...I found it crawling with ants an hour later).

I told my wife this morning that I want to go through with it and take all their presents back. Our 1 year old will get his presents, but I have no interest in rewarding the terrible behavior of the other two. My wife thinks that the suggestion is cruel and was shocked that I'd even consider not giving our kids presents for Christmas.

What's your opinion?