Do you let your kids open a gift on Christmas EVE?

[gypsydoodlebug]

Growing up, my parents always let DB and I open ONE gift on Christmas Eve, and my mom always picked it out. At first, it was a pair of pajamas, but once that got to be predictable it began to be crafty kits or something to keep us busy that evening.

Now that I have a 2.5-yr-old, I'm debating it, because one you start it becomes tradition. At this age, though, I'm afraid I'm opening a can of worms (although I do have a Disney Store Sleeping Beauty nightgown and a crown that she can play in until bedtime). She'll want to open them ALL!

Your thoughts on the subject?

 

[Christine]

I know lots of people that do this, but I never did. I prefer making them WAIT IN AGONY!!!

 

[ashjohnson80]

We always opened all gifts on Christmas eve and then got "santa" the next morning. I guess everyone has their own traditions.

 

[aprilgail2]

Once we stopped believing in santa we opened ALL our gifts on christmas eve so we could all sleep in on christmas morn! I haven't started doign that with my daughter yet though since she still believes santa comes

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My good friend has always given her kids new pajamas on Christmas Eve, I love that idea and would like to start that idea when I have kids.

When I was a kid my mom and dad would fight (not really fight) over who would win, my dad said no present until Christmas but my mom would say 1 present on christmas eve...as we got older it was present on Christmas!!!

 

[lazarru]

I recall my family also doing that, but it wasn't until my sister and I were both in our teens and knew what was going on. I have 2 little ones 4 & 6 and I wouldn't even think about doing it yet, I don't want to do anything to ruin the magic of the morning for them, they will figure things out soon enough, no sense making them start to think about it

 

[corie161]

As a kid we were never aloud to open any gifts Christmas Eve. My DH family opened all theirs but Santa's Christmas Eve. It just seems that some years we are busier than others on Christmas Eve so I'd rather not start that habit. I have started the pajama tradition at our house so they will be opening that one. It's marked 'to be opened Christmas Eve'. I also bought a family gift (Disney Scene It) and decided it might be a nice idea to open that Christmas Eve also so we have something to do!

 

[barkley]

1 gift each-always new pajamas. an old family tradition that ensures christmas morning photos that do not include ratty pj's or (in my son's case) yugo underwear shots.

 

[lemondog]

We do stockings at my parents' house, but that's it. All the wrapped gifts, Santa stuff and their stockings here wait until Christmas morning.

My best friend lets her kids open one gift on Christmas Eve, and it is always Christmas pajamas. I think that's a great idea, so they will look cute for pics in the morning!

 

[noseybuddy]

My good friend has always given her kids new pajamas on Christmas Eve, I love that idea and would like to start that idea when I have kids.

QUOTE]

I did the same thing when my kids were little. They loved it!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Never did it growing up, nor with my own kids.

I'm so glad that DH and I have basically the same Christmas gift traditions. It's interesting to read other's accounts of how they celebrate the holidays, but I would have such a hard time adjusting to changes with my own family! It just seems SO wrong not to do it "our" way! It was hard enough getting him to give up a garland for tinsel!

 

[TXTink]

We always opened all gifts on Christmas eve and then got "santa" the next morning. I guess everyone has their own traditions.

That is just how we did it when I was growing up, so that is how we do it now.

It also has helped after we got married too, because my family never felt slighted for us to be with them on Christmas Eve, and his family on Christmas Day.

 

[ely3857]

It was never something I did as a child but when I got older me & my mum would open a gift each on xmas eve while giggiling like naughty school girls!

Df & I have, in the past opened all our gifts on xmas eve as we wanted to do it in private but now we have moved into our own house we will be waiting until xmas day.



Jodie

 

[Simba's Mom]

We bought the "Chrismas pickle" ornament at Epcot in Germany. Then whoever finds it first on Christmas eve gets to open a gift first. But when the kids were younger, we let all of them open one, just whoever found the "Pickle" got to be first of them to open.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Oh...I do like the new pajama idea tho. Wish I had started that, but kids are 17, 15, and almost 13 now, and sleep in whatever.

 

[va32h]

My mom did the "new pajamas" thing too. She still does it for all of her grandchildren. Even though the kids know exactly what it will be, they still look forward to the ritual. It's the start of Christmas for them!

We have dinner, they open their jammies, put them on, and then we bundle them up in blankets and drive around the neighborhood looking at lights. Recently we added a stop at Sonic for some milkshakes to the itinerary, but it used to be going home for hot chocolate. Then putting out the cookies and milk and off to bed.

Another plus is that I know we'll have nice looking pajamas in all the Christmas morning photos. Some of their regular sleepwear is pretty raggedy!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

unfortunately, we spend about 7 hours in the Car on Christmas Eve -- getting to various relatives parties and then ending up at our Home Church for midnight services.

Several years ago, I started making one present car trip friendly. The kids open that present up on Christmas Eve morning to take with them, then others at the relatives -- then Santa etc on Christmas morning.

 

[MagicalMom]

We have always done the new pajamas set on Chrsitmas eve. This way I know everyone looks nice for pictures the next morning. We usually also do a family gift like a board game.

 

[kbkids]

We always opened all gifts on Christmas eve and then got "santa" the next morning. I guess everyone has their own traditions.

That's what I did as a child, and we're now doing it with our children too. Works out great with the extended families. My parents come over for Christmas Eve. And we spend Christmas Day with DH's family.

 

[tiff211]

We do the new Pj's thing as well. No presents are put out until they go to sleep. I don't think they could handle it, they are so excited about the new pj's, making cookies for Santa and reading "twas the night before christmas".

If DD14 is going to her dad's for Christmas, she can open up a couple before she goes which is usually 2 days beforehand.