We usually open them all when we get up - but this year I've decided that we'll do things a bit different.
Stockings etc first thing - then proper presents after tea in the evening.
My reasons for this are entirely selfish - I am fed up with spending the day locating batteries and putting together exceptionally complicated toys etc - and it would also be nice to make the day "last longer".
What's your routine on the day?
2006-12-14 21:12:24 · 35 answers · asked by Hello Dave 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Amazing how many people open them on Xmas eve - I'm still wrapping then. And yes, my little plan probably won't work as I'm sure I'll have a mutiny on my hands.
2006-12-14 21:31:55 · update #1
Kickchick808 - well, there's always one, I suppose, and this time it's you. I'd bet anything you don't even have kids, otherwise you'd know how stupid what you've just said is.
2006-12-14 21:34:25 · update #2
Kickchick - well, OK, since you've updated your answer, I apologise for snapping at you. It would just be daft to refuse to buy a particular present just because I couldn't be bothered to put it together on Christmas day.
2006-12-14 22:08:46 · update #3
We open all of ours in the morning, it's unfair to make the kids wait til after dinner,the anticipation is too much for them and they will only rush their food so they can open their presents.
Buy a selection of batteries to have at hand so you won't have to search around for them. Maybe too late, but maybe it would be easier if you didn't buy your children toys which are exceptionally complicated to put together; but, assuming you already have just leave them to it, they may enjoy putting them together on their own! Also if you wait til after dinner (and a few glasses of wine perhaps : )), the task could become even more complicated for you! ; ).
Speaking from experience, I'd say open pressies in the morning, it's lovely to sit around the tree as a family in you pyjama's, then the children can enjoy their toys all day.
We save one small gift as a table present too. Also, maybe as an extra suprise, hide one or 2 of the childrens presents away for after dinner, (but don't let them know about it until after dinner). Perhaps you could even devise some kind of treasure hunt?
Enjoy Christmas! Hope it's a good one!
xx
2006-12-14 21:23:59 · answer #1 · answered by kchick8080 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We've made our own traditions. I take all the presents that need putting together out of the packaging before Christmas. My hubby puts them together and then I find a suitable box for each toy and wrap them up (if they don't fit into the original packaging after being put together). This way there is no frustration with kids whining about 'how long before your finished building my toy daddy" I also insert the batteries before hand so that all toys are complete and in working order before wrapping. On Christmas morning there is one toy for each child under the tree. After opening this toy we get ready for Church to go and say 'happy birthday to Jesus' When we come back the kids find that Santa has been there again and left some more toys.
2006-12-14 21:58:41 · answer #2 · answered by SweetyPie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my parents house its usually when we get up. But, in my husband's house we normally have a few drinks on Christmas Eve and then open the presents. Thought it was a bit odd the first year but its actually OK. Its funny opening pressies when you are little bit merry. You think everything is great. This year we are spending Christmas Day in our own house so not sure what way it will turn out. Suppose we might open 1 or 2 on Christmas Eve and leave the rest for Christmas morning.
Enjoy you day.
2006-12-14 21:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by Baby # 1 - April 09 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, stock up on all sizes of batteries now. There are a lot of Christmas sales going on! Regarding opening the gifts, that depends on the kids' ages. If they are young (under 14), don't make them wait until late in the day! That's too hard for them, and may cause tension and more problems! If they will be receiving gifts from guests, why not let them open the Santa gifts and gifts from each other (parents and siblings living in same home) when they awake, and then wait until after dinner or tea to open the gifts from the guests? Make an agreement before Christmas when you can help them with the "complicated put together gifts." If the guests buy those kind, I told my kids in advance they couldn't open the boxes until later, so as to avoid the risk of losing parts in all the confusion of everyone unwrapping, and having other children there, etc.
When my kids were young, we opened gifts from each other on Christmas Eve, and gifts from Santa, of course, were opened on Christmas morning. We continue to open all our gifts from each other on Christmas Eve. They're only young once ...enjoy this time!!
2006-12-14 21:21:20 · answer #4 · answered by Jackie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I had my kids they used to open their stockings first thing so I had something to keep them quiet while I had a cup of tea and got their breakfast, then we used to get dressed and after that all hell would break loose as they opened their sacks of pressies, then after lunch we would open the pressies under the tree. We also spent the afternoon unpacking toys and putting batteries in! Now the kids live with their father so Christmas day is very quiet and I don't normally open my pressies till late. But my kids usually come just after Christmas and we still have the same mayhem!
2006-12-14 21:31:30 · answer #5 · answered by eeore 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all open one present on Christmas Eve together along with a little eggnog or a small refreshment of the alcohol variety and the rest of the presents on Christmas Day after brunch. The quicker we help to make brunch and clear up, the quicker we can open our presents.
2006-12-14 21:42:04 · answer #6 · answered by trishadee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was younger I used to open presents as soon as possible in the morning. However we have to make sure everyone is there so waking everyone else up and hurrying them to get ready was the order of the day.
I am a little more relaxed now and we open presents at like 11am now. However I really like your idea of opening them in the evening. You could tell the children the they can feel, weight and shake the present s to guess what they are, I suspect the suspence would drive them wild.
2006-12-14 21:26:43 · answer #7 · answered by Mike 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My kids also open a small present on xmas eve, then their stocking in the morning and the main stuff when the rest of the family gets up.
2006-12-14 21:16:30 · answer #8 · answered by scragette2000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Occasionally Christmas eve a couple with friends, but the grand opening is Christmas Morning, then a fryup. I think the fryup, my brother taking egg orders is almost as much fun.
Thanks for the reminder, I have to buy batteries!
Charles, "That Cheeky Lad"
A Wickedly Happy Christmas to all!
2006-12-14 21:23:22 · answer #9 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We get one on Christmas Eve with all of the family around and then we open everything else about 8am on Christmas morning (we have a box of batteries on hand for any possible need).
Have a good one !!
2006-12-14 21:20:29 · answer #10 · answered by barneyboomagoo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋