What's your family's traditions with regard to unwrapping Christmas presents and stockings?
In our family, the kids can get into the stockings and unwrap, play with, eat, etc. everything in their own stockings so long as they let Mom and Dad sleep in to a decent time (7:30 a.m. would be acceptable). Santa conveniently places the stockings on the hearth where the kids can get them in the morning. This tradition has been carried down from my family, where it was quickly initiated when my young brother and I would wake Mom and Dad at 4 a.m. to unwrap presents (it was, afterall, Christmas morning).
The kids aren't allowed to get into any other presents until after Mom and Dad have gotten out of bed and maybe gotten a cup of coffee or tea. We then unwrap presents together, pretty much unwrapping gifts one at a time and stopping to say "Thank you" for gifts from Mom, Dad, etc. We don't do a lot of Christmas presents so the gift opening doesn't last more than 30-60 minutes. Afterwards, we pick up the paper and boxes, make breakfast, play with toys and take showers.
For us, Christmas morning is a time for our immediate family (and any houseguests we might have). We exchange and unwrap gifts with local family members when we see them near the holidays. Last year, we had the in-laws here for dinner Christmas afternoon. This year, we may see the in-laws on Christmas Eve. Also, we talk on the phone to distant family members on Christmas Day to thank them for gifts and spread holiday joy.
In our family, the kids can get into the stockings and unwrap, play with, eat, etc. everything in their own stockings so long as they let Mom and Dad sleep in to a decent time (7:30 a.m. would be acceptable). Santa conveniently places the stockings on the hearth where the kids can get them in the morning. This tradition has been carried down from my family, where it was quickly initiated when my young brother and I would wake Mom and Dad at 4 a.m. to unwrap presents (it was, afterall, Christmas morning).
The kids aren't allowed to get into any other presents until after Mom and Dad have gotten out of bed and maybe gotten a cup of coffee or tea. We then unwrap presents together, pretty much unwrapping gifts one at a time and stopping to say "Thank you" for gifts from Mom, Dad, etc. We don't do a lot of Christmas presents so the gift opening doesn't last more than 30-60 minutes. Afterwards, we pick up the paper and boxes, make breakfast, play with toys and take showers.
For us, Christmas morning is a time for our immediate family (and any houseguests we might have). We exchange and unwrap gifts with local family members when we see them near the holidays. Last year, we had the in-laws here for dinner Christmas afternoon. This year, we may see the in-laws on Christmas Eve. Also, we talk on the phone to distant family members on Christmas Day to thank them for gifts and spread holiday joy.