When to give presents from people that won't be there Christmas Day.

[wintersdawn]

Dd is nearly 3 so this is the first Christmas that she's really getting it and I want to start traditions as they mean to go on. In my family presents all went under the tree after we'd gone to bed Christmas Eve and even after we'd stopped believing in Santa only friends and extended family ones went under in advance. We started writing thank you letters once we were past believing in Santa so 6/7ish I think.

Dh thinks he was fed the line that Santa delivers all the presents but that they were given to him by various people so he had to write thank you notes, though when challenged as to the purpose of letters to Santa he couldn't answer and tried to change the subject.

The reason I'm trying to sort this now is we have our Christmas lunch with the IL's next Sunday and I know they will have the kids presents, I think they should be handed over on the quiet and opened on Christmas Day with my parents and dh thinks they should be opened with IL's.

What do you guys do?

[zebdee]

I guess it'd be nice for ils to see them opening them but I think next week is to early. Keep them to open Xmas day but tell kids who they are from.

[FortyMerryFuckers]

I let DS open presents as he is given them, so if we meet up with friends before Christmas he opens them then. On Christmas morning he opens only Santa presents, then as we see my parents, sister ect he opens their presents.

[Hulababy]

In our house:

Regardless of age - FC brings one special gift, though not the main present. No stockings. FC brings the one special gift - this is left out near the Mince Pie tray, ready to use, not wrapped, etc. Often small trace of magic elf dust can still be seen.



When DD was small no presents went under the tree wil she was asleep on Christmas Eve. More to do with the fact that I didn't want to have to keep watching that she didn't try to open them, shake them, etc

FC can be used as a delivery man for other relatives; he brings them Chritsmas Eve if hats the cae. Presents are labelled as to who chose what. This means Thank Yous can be sent from whatever age.

Now DD is older: All presents from family/friends go under the tree after being collected in the run up to Christmas. All presents saved til Christmas Day, none opened before. Main presents from us not put under tree though - like to ensure complete surprise. They come out after she's asleep Cristmas Eve.

[FortyMerryFuckers]

Sorry didn't answer your question I would let them give him them to open at the lunch so that he knows they are from them and they get to see him open them.

[wintersdawn]

Yeah I think the fact it's so early is part of my issue with it.

Like the idea of one special present from Santa near the mince pie plate!

[ItStillLooksLikeRainDear]

They get so much on Christmas Day that some gifts get 'lost in the pile' It'd be nice for in-laws to see them open the presents they had bought for you DC & for DC to appreciate & enjoy the gifts.