How do you open Xmas presents?

[Lewski709]

We open Christmas Eve after taking the kids out to see the lights and then Santa has come. We open one at a time for the adults and let the kids just go to town. They (kids) don't care what we got and they can entertain themselves with the "new" stuff while we can enjoy seeing what everyone else gets. I like to see what everyone gets.

 

[Waffles]

After we do the stockings, which are free for all, someone sits under the tree to pass out presents. Some years we do it one by one, and others we pass out a few to everyone and they open those. Then we pass out a few more. It depends on what we come up with every year!

 

[whirlsy]

One at a time~ someone wears the santa hat and they get to pass out the presents~ My kids have to say thank you for the gift they receive even if it makes them feel uncomfortable~ someone took the time to think of them, buy and wrap it, they can take a few extra moments to open it. Stockings are a free for all.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We do one at a time, and we like it that way. The kids are at an age when they are going shopping themselves and picking out presents for the parents and they LOVE to see our reaction and the big fuss we make. Also, we enjoy watching their reactions as well as they open the gifts from us. For me a free for all would take some of the magic away. Christmas isn't just about the things you get, it is also about giving and the joy in expressing love to each other through those gifts. Hey it works for our family, and whatever you do works for yours.

 

[Mickey76]

My family does it just like your in-laws do it, one person at a time. No one has ever had a problem with this. When I have my own family someday, I would like to do it the wya that I have always known, but it won't be a big deal to me if we don't.

Mickey76

 

[tc]

When we had Santa gifts, they were never wrapped, so the girls had those first off, before we were up. The stockings were also free for all. However, when everyone is up and opening presents, we pass them out one at a time. We enjoy seeing what each other gets and seeing their reaction. Now, at my inlaws it's another story. When the girls were little, we went to their house Christmas Eve (that's when they opened presents) and it was mayhem, over in minutes and I had no idea who gave what to whom. It was very stressful for me. That was when Stephen and I decided to make it a little more respectful when we started making our own family traditions. It kind of makes us more appreciative of what is given.

But, all families are different. I guess a lot of it is what you're used to, and what you're comfortable with. I think one at a time presents at my inlaws would be weird.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

free for all

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Everyone is given one gift and then we all open. We say who it is from BEFORE we open. And then see what each other received before we move on to the next gift. I like it this way.