Christmas Present/Stocking Unwrapping Traditions

[EthansMom]

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.

 

[minkydog]

Our rule has always been that nothing gets opened until Parents are up. And Parents are not awakened until there is light outside. Then mom lights the tree, turns on the music, and makes coffee. THEN the kids are invited to come downstairs.

We have never had a rule-breaker yet. They're probably too scared I'd take all their presents away.

 

[Glynis]

On Christmas Eve, all our kids sleep in their sleeping bags in our room. I'm typically the first one up in the morning, and I get the tree lit, the fire going in the fireplace and make sure all is ready for the kids. DH then gets up and sets up his camera (he's a professional videographer). While he's doing that, I put breakfast in the oven. We always have Peach French Toast, Bacon twists with Brown sugar, Frozen Fruit salad, and hot cocoa. While all that is cooking (it cooks really slow), I pop some toast and make fresh orange juice. The kids eat that while in our bedroom. I turn on the Christmas music and the kids all line up in the hallway from youngest to oldest. When Dad says "go" they come running down the hallway to find their stockings laid out on the couch. There are also some "Santa" presents that are unwrapped. They look through their stockings and at their Santa presents and once all that is done, we stop for breakfast.

We don't do a lot of presents, so stopping for breakfast really prolongs the whole thing. Once breakfast is done, we all sit in a semi-circle around the tree while Dad hands out the presents one at a time. Once all the presents are opened, the kids pile all their stuff in different corners of the room while Dad and I clean up the wrapping paper. They play with their new toys and read their new books while I get Christmas dinner in the oven.

So far, it works for us, but I don't know what will happen when the kids get older.

 

[christineann]

When my children were small, the rule was that they could not go into the living room until we were up (I would go light the tree, etc. before they came in). I strung bells on the doors to make sure. We open stockings first and then the presents. The dogs get their presents first so we can have some peace on earth.

My children are now 20 and 17. Last Christmas, they set their alarms for 4:00 a.m., crept into my bedroom and woke me up. I awakened to see two very tall dark figures hovering over me. The word that came out of my mouth was not in the holiday spirit As they went back to their rooms, I heard my son say, "Well I thought it would be funny." I did laugh about it when the sun came up.

We always have my parents over for a brunch and then go to their house for dinner that evening.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

When we were little, we werent allowed to go downstairs till the coffee was made..it drove us nuts..

christineann--we did the same thing to my mom and dad 2 years ago last ! im 21 and my brother is 19..we woke up at 6 and walked in and jumped on the bed yelling its christmas, its christmas...they werent very happy But last year, they did it to us...revenge!

 

[JuneCleaver]

Ours aren't allowed downstairs until we get up either. From their first "walking" christmas, every year Santa would hang Jingle Bells on their door after they went to sleep...that way if anyone got up, we were alerted. We also put a baby gate at the top of the stairs..."to keep the doggies" from scaring Santa...however, the munchkins were also babygated up stairs.

June

 

[LJC1861]

when we were kids ( and there were 6 of us ) the rule was that nobody came downstairs until Mom and Dad were up. So.....on Christmas morning we all sat at the top of the stairs yelling for them until they were up! Now, some Christmases it was just too darn early and they made us go back to bed for awhile, but on others we sat patiently at the top of the stairs until they were ready for us all.

Because there were so many of us, "Santa" had Mom help with the wrapping of the gifts and instead of names on the packages there were numbers. This was to prevent the older kids from snooping and finding out what was for whom. Mom had the list and on Christmas morning we opened presents one at a time. It took ALL day, but was neat because we all got to see what everyone got and we all got to thank "Santa". The older kids were charged with keeping the spirit of Santa alive for the younger kids and it worked for many years in our family. To this day all of my siblings with kids use the numbers and not names on the packages.

Our most memorable Christmas was when most of us were in our late teens and early 20's. We had gotten our parents bicycles for Christmas...it was something they had always wanted. Instead of them sending us to bed to put out Christmas, we sent them to bed early and got everything out. When the bikes were in place, with big red bows on them all 6 of us sat together on the couch in a big pile and just talked about the many many wonderful Christmases "Santa" had brought us. The next morning, at 4:00 our parents sat at the bottom of the stairs calling for us until we were all up. It was actually fun having the tables turned on us like that. It is one I will always remember.


Linda

 

[PattnFmly]

As a kid, we all had to be up before anyone could touch anything. My DBro's and I would just go into the living room and stare in awe at the stockings on the fireplace and the few unwrapped Santa presents. But we didn't touch anything! When all were up, we opened the stockings, basically one at a time and saw what everyone got. Then we had juice and Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, to slow it down, and I'm sure Mom&Dad wanted their coffee! Then we'd do presents one at a time so we could see what everyone got. Took awhile, but it really made us appreciate what we received.

I am trying to do the same with DS's. They know not to come downstairs without us, but then, last year they were uncomfortable being downstairs alone. Lately, DS likes to come down, watch tv, pour himself cereal etc. I think I'll have to try the "bells" suggestion on the doors! That way I'll really hear him!

 

[MagicalMom]

My kids each receive one package to open on Chrsitmas Eve. it's always pajamas. I try to pick out something really special. this is my secret way to ensure that everyone looks cute on Chrsitmas morning.

On Christmas morning the kids usually wake up before us. We're usually exhausted from staying up late to put the packages out. My kids are 14, 10 & 4. So far they have never opened a present before we wake up. Usually they sit & admire the gifts, dreaming & giggling.

Once DH & I are up we like to pour a cup of coffee while the kids dig through their stockings. Once everyone is ready we get in our semi-circle while the presents are passed out & opened one at a time. All the while we a re munching on our traditional Chrsitmas breakfast of chocolate chip cookies. We usually make a brunch once the excitement wears off.

 

[minkydog]

My children are now 20 and 17. Last Christmas, they set their alarms for 4:00 a.m., crept into my bedroom and woke me up. I awakened to see two very tall dark figures hovering over me. The word that came out of my mouth was not in the holiday spirit As they went back to their rooms, I heard my son say, "Well I thought it would be funny." I did laugh about it when the sun came up.

I would have wet the bed!

 

[Nite0wl71]

When the kids were little they would open presents on Christmas Eve from us, each other, friends and any presents that were mailed to them. Christmas morning they had to wait until everyone was up until they could go in the living room. Then I would make coffee and they got to open their stockings. They would each stake out a spot in the room and presents would be handed out from Santa. After that we would clean up and have breakfast.

For about 8 years I had Christmas at my house for the family, everyone would come over eat dinner and then presents again. About 5 years ago I turned that over to my brother so we would go to his house about 2 pm.

Now with only one at home it will probably be so different.

 

[disykat]

We also let the kids open their stockings first thing in the morning. Then dh and I wake up at a reasonable hour, I put frozen cinnamon rolls in the oven and we take turns opening presents around the tree.

When my kids were really little they were too afraid of interupting Santa to go out in the living room so they would wake us up as soon as daylight hit. My oldest was even scared to go to sleep on Christmas Eve - so we never had the issue of them sneaking out. I still remember reassuring him as he cried "what if he comes in my room and looks at me?"

 

[JennaTX]

Since I have two young children, I could not imagine letting them wake up and get their stockings while I was sleeping! But then they still believe in Santa, so I would not want to miss that.

We have always opened our gifts from each other on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Morning is only for what "Santa" brings, so that also makes it a little more special.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

We have family over on christmas eve and the 4 cousins(me, 2 older, and one younger) hand out the presents. Then everyone's allowed to open their presents once all is handed out.

On christmas morning it's just me and my parents. We open the gifts to each other and then have breakfast.

 

[pooh4evr]

When my siblings (5) and I were little our family ran road races together so on Christmas Eve we would ahve to run first about 3 miles and then we would get a family present (ping pong table, air hockey, fuseball- big things for all of us to share). Then that evening church then to Grandma's house. Christmas morning we could not get up until 8:00, -forget about going downstairs until beds were made teeth and hair brushed and mom and dad wer up showered and had the camera positioned at the bottom of the steps. We would line up in reverse birth order and then run down the stairs to the family room to look in our stockings first- no exceptions! Then after a few minutes of that we were able to go to the living room where the tree was- we each had specific spots to sit, and mom would hand out gifts- everyone got 1 at a time, everything was wrapped and nothing was under the tree befor Christmas morning so coming down the stairs and seeing the room pack with presents was incredible!! It took a while to finish up and then we would make our parents sit on the couch and open theirs. Then we would all make a big breakfast as we each got showered, eat then go to the other Grandma's house and finally about 9 come back home exhausted!! We also did St. Nick - wihich is when Santa comes to get your list in the beginning of December -the 9th or 10th maybe?.

 

[mafibisha]

Oh I love reading all your stories! So fun!

We do something similar to many of you. No one opens gifts Christmas Eve, as we're at church, then reading and snacks at home, then to bed as early as possible. (which ISN'T too early LOL)

No one comes downstairs without mom and dad (us!) and its usually EARLY I set the coffee timer the night before, have the camcorder on the tripod all set, and we're good to go when the kids wake up. Dh also gets a fire going and puts on Christmas CDs. We'll take a break mid-opening when we enjoy brunch, that I've made the night before, also.

Dinner later is either at our house or another relatives, and there are usually 20-25 people there. We always set the timer on someone's camera and take group photos, too.

We LOVE Christmas

 

[laurie31]

Our kids must wait until we are up. I have to be standing there with the video camera to capture their reaction when they walk in and see their gifts!! (Santa doesn't wrap at our house).

Year before last, the problem was that older dd was up, we were up, but little one was still asleep! We made dd1 wait until her sister woke up and it was not pretty. (when I was a kid I would never let my brohter go in before me! LOL)

Last year they both woke up at the crack of dawn and so we got up and went with the flow. They run for the big gifts first, then empty out their stockings. It's fun I can't imagine not being there with a camera when they were opening their stockings or anything else. I'm a die-hard scrapbooker, I guess


Laurie

 

[rwrocksme]

Well, since the Parental Untis are divorced, we have an odd situation. Fun, meaningful, but odd. Male Parental Unit (MPU) comes over to Female Parental Unit's house (FPU) on Christmas Eve and sleeps in the guest room. Child Unit (CU) gets to open one present on Christmas Eve (either an almanac or PJ's). Then, we all go to sleep (save for CU, who goes out to the living room every five minutes until 3 AM to see if Santa has come--of course, he hasn't). PUs wake up first and go out to the living room, and MPU makes breakfast. Then we all open presents, and then go have Christmas with the family!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

They don't go downstairs until Mom has the video camera ready to tape them as they come down and see their presents.
They open the presents then lgo to the stockings.

 

[binny]

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.

that is almost exactly how we do it as well. The exception being they can get into their Santa gifts as they as unwrapped. We have had to wake our kids in the past couple of years though

coffee happens before gifts though.