Christmas Gifts given to kids before the holiday - Open now or save till the day?

[It's A Happy Day]

No flames please just looking for opinions...

My mother called me to let me know that she is sending out my childrens Christmas gifts and to watch for the boxes (she moved this past summer to FL). She will not be here for the holidays. Per her instructions "I am to put everything away till Christmas and nothing in the boxes is wrapped so don't open them with the kids there when they come" Now both kids (4&5) know that the boxes are on the way - she told them when she talked to them on the phone. I told DH that when the boxes arrive they can open them. I know it will be early but my kids get sooo much that another present under the tree Christmas day won't be acknowledged for what it is. I figure that they will enjoy it more as they are anticipating it's arrival now.

When you get gifts before the holiday, would you give them to the kids early or add it to the pile under the tree?

 

[ElizK]

Nope, put them under the tree like she asked you to. I'm of the "Christmas presents are to be opened on Christmas" school.

 

[MushyMushy]

I definitely wouldn't open the box any earlier than Christmas Eve. That's me, though.

 

[dismom9761]

I definitely wouldn't open the box any earlier than Christmas Eve. That's me, though.

Ditto.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have my daughter open everything as it gets here if it comes in the mail. She has more than enough to open on Christmas morning without adding some that could have been opened in advance to the mix.

 

[Aidensmom]

When we were kids, we lived in Ohio, my grandparents lived in Florida. We got to open their presents as soon as they arrived, which was usually about 2 weeks before Christmas. IMO, it made it a little more special because, even though my grandparents weren't there, they were really in our thoughts at that time and not getting lost among the jumble of presents.

We now live in Florida. My dad lives in Ohio. My son gets to open presents from him as soon as they arrive.

 

[NMAmy]

Since she asked you to wait, I would do as she asked. But why in the world didn't she wrap them?

However, within our family, we've always opened the gifts the day they arrived. With us, gifts are just as likely to arrive late as early. I think that kids in particular pay more attention and are more appreciative when they don't open them in the hustle of Christmas Day.

 

[Imzadi]

Why would you disregard your mother's wishes? I think that's the real point, not that there will be another gift under the tree. If she was able to attend Xmas with your kids, the result would be the same. Are you asking for permission to invalidate your mother's instructions? Just something to think about.

 

[meeskamouska]

If she wouldn't have given specific instructions I would say have fun!!! But since she asked....I would say put 'em away!!!

I did the same thing...sent a box of unwrapped gifts...I gave the parents the discretion though....they opted to save!!!!

 

[sweetspicy]

Since she bought the presents, I would respect what she wants and save the presents for Christmas. If you want to make them stand out, maybe the kids could open them on Christmas Eve. Plus, isn't part of the fun of Christmas in the waiting?? It just seems more respectful to your mother to follow her wishes.

 

[Stitch1970]

Since Mom said to wait, I'd wait.

I'm also in the Christmas presents should be opened on Christmas camp...

That said, I'd let the kids open them on Christmas Eve so your mother's gifts weren't lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas morning. They'd be thinking about her, and maybe even call to thank her.

-Jamie

 

[All American]

I think you should wait to open the gifts.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

I'd also opt or waiting till Christmas. Just because it is what your mom asked. Unless of course you speak with her and she tells you that she agrees with your decision to give them early.

What I would do is have the children unwrap them first. Have a pile strictly dedicated for all gifts received in the mail and let them tackle it first or let them decide if they want to unwrap them after unwrapping what is under the tree. This way they will know the difference.

Just don't leave it up to the children to decide cause of course they'll chose to open them 'right away'. Heck... my son would opt to open next years birthday presents if he could.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Since she asked that you wait, I'd respect her wishes and wait. If someone gives a gift before Christmas in person, I always ask what they'd like to do. Sometimes they prefer to watch the recipient open in, and we open it on the spot. Other times they've said to open it on Christmas Day, and so we put it under the tree.

In my family the tradition was to open gifts from one another on Christmas Eve (Mom is Scandinavian), and then Christmas morning we had gifts from Santa, plus any others from outside the family. This is working out well today as the siblings married (and divorced), because we always manage to have everyone there on Christmas Eve, but someone is bound to be with their other family on Christmas Day.

 

[Freyja]

Normally my kids would only get to open at christmas, exceptions could be made, but definately not if the giver had asked for them not to be opened until then.

 

[clarabelle]

I would open them now. Unless you think she is going to find out and be upset.
It will give them something to enjoy this month awaiting Christmas.
Maybe you could discuss it with her if it would make you more comfortable.

 

[mom2boys]

My kids used to get a box full of presents from their out of town cousin. Our instructions were - once Christmas vacation started they were to open one or two a day until Christmas. Sometines we even had instructions to open a certian package first or at least before another package. They really did play with what they opened then. Kids get too much these days and are overwhelmed on Christmas morning - even though we try hard to keep it to a minimum.
However, if I had received instructions not to let them open them until Christmas, I would abide by that.

 

[noodleknitter]

I would respect the wishes of the person sending them. It never killed kids to wait...so what if they know they are coming?

 

[GJM]

I would also wait until Christmas if she asked. My FIL sends stuff up from FL and we always wait until Christmas to open the gifts.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

I sometimes let the kids open the gifts they receive in the mail early. However, if my mom specifically told me to wait until Christmas, that's what I would do. I can't see ignoring a person's request like that.
We used to put one present right outside each child's room so that they could immediately open it on Christmas morning, before they woke us up. Maybe you could do something like that. I totally see what you mean about the kids getting so much on Christmas. Maybe you can ask your mom if she would mind if the kids opened them early. I know you don't have to get permission, but I think it would be a respectful thing to do.