Would it be completely crazy to give the DCs their main present today?

[ChaChaChaCh4nges]

Three DCs, aged 9, 6 and 5.

DC1 is poorly. He has a nasty cough, fever, blocked up nose, sore throat, etc. Was up half the night, despite Calpol.

We were stuck in yesterday, we're going to be stuck in today. DCs 2 and 3 are bored and bickery, DC1 is ill, bored and bickery.

Their Christmas presents from me are Kindle Fires. I was always planning to give them to the DCs on Christmas Eve - partly because we have a long car journey to my parent's house, partly because they'll still have their stockings with me first thing on Christmas morning, and partly because they'll be with their dad on Christmas Day from 10am where they'll get loads more presents.

I'm now thinking of bringing it forward to today. It would keep them all occupied, and it would also mean I could make sure they're loaded with exactly the games and videos they want.

Downside is that it's not traditional, but I actually can't see any other significant issue.

What would you do?

[WellErrr]

No way would I give presents now! Save them for Christmas!

Your kids won't thank you for it come the weekend and they've already had their main presents.

[Libitina]

Whatever works for you.

[MsJamieFraser]

Do you do Santa?

If so would this not our you?

[Wellmeetontheledge]

I wouldn't as it takes away the 'properness' also it means as well as three bickery children you'll have them nagging you to set up this and set up that and how does this work and he's got something in his I haven't :)

[NotYoda]

How festive.

Let them be bored enough to stop bickering. They will find something else to do.

[Mol1628]

No I wouldn't. Watch Christmas films or something. It'll ruin Christmas. Only a few more days to wait.

[Rosa]

No, they are too young ...I would keep them and pre load pretty much the same for all of them. Game wise then videos pick 2/3 each that you inow they will like. Today videos/ tv/ fresh air if possible for the well 2 even if it is a run in the garden. Loads of tea and gin after 6 for you. And hope the others dont get was your ds has....

[ChaChaChaCh4nges]

Ha!

All three Kindle Fires are ready to go - full charged, loaded with games and videos I know they'll like, and identical! So no concerns there.

The kids will still get main presents on the day - just from their dad rather than from me (we're divorced). They'll actually get much bigger and more expensive presents from their dad and his parents on Christmas Day, but that's a whole other story. In fact, another advantage of giving them early would be that they won't get forgotten once the DCs get to their dad's.

They'll definitely get their stockings from Santa on Christmas morning, which include some decent presents in among the usual plastic stuff - board games, Lego, etc.

[Gallavich]

No I wouldn't. Surely they must have stuff to play with? I really think that giving them Christmas presents 5 days before isn't the right message!

[RNBrie]

I would. They are sat there under the tree doing nothing. Christmas is just an arbitrary day in the calendar anyway (which I love and am looking forward to) but it's not like the celebration of the birth of jesus is going to be disrupted by a couple of kids getting their presents early!

[HuckfromScandal]

No. I wouldn't
Let them bicker
You're setting a precedent here

[Dullboringusername]

I would do it if they are spending Christmas Day with their dad. Especially if they are still getting stockings with you.

I'm not generally one for giving presents early but in these circumstances I think it's Ok

[ChaChaChaCh4nges]

I really think that giving them Christmas presents 5 days before isn't the right message!

What is the message then?

And, actually, they don't have many toys at my house at all (I moved out of the family home, and left almost all their toys behind - just what they could carry in a small box each).

[snapcrap]

Well you seem to have made up your mind given your last post so why are you seeking opinion? Just do it if you want to do it.

[mirokarikovo]

99% of the time I'd say no way but given that they are going to dad's at 10am on Christmas day they will get hardly any time to look at any of their stuff from you anhway so I don't think it's at all a bad idea for Christmas to come a bit early.

[NotYoda]

The message is that you want to keep them quiet and that you are in competition from your ex for their approval. That's the message I'm getting.

[Wonderflonium]

Prepare for it to be a family tradition that you give your main gift on the 20th from this year on.

[chitofftheshovel]

I would, celebrating on the 25th is a totally arbitrary tradition anyway which has gotten totally out of hand. Give your children gifts whenever you want to not just the day it is socially acceptable to do so. I hope they enjoy them.

[Artandco]

No

Get the eldest to read book in bed and sleep if ill
Younger two get paper and pens pig and get them to make chistmas cards for the weekend for people (even their dad even if you don't actually like). Let them make paper chains.
Put Christmas film on
Bake some Xmas cookies
Let them play build dens with sofacushions and bed sheets

Can 5 year old even read a kindle fully? Mine is only on three line paged books with pictures mainly.

[myoriginal3]

No.

[scrivette]

I would have a 'Christmas' Day together tomorrow. Spend the morning making decorations, Christmas baking etc, nice lunch, film and then give the gifts.

[yorkshapudding]

You've obviously made up your mind so not sure why you've posted really

You could just stick a film on if you want to keep them quiet. Giving them their main Christmas present almost a week early seems pretty drastic.

[CaptainCabinet]

In the circs I think it's a great idea.

[Believeitornot]

It sounds like you just want a way to keep them occupied and are finding flimsy excuses....

[ChaChaChaCh4nges]

No, I haven't made up my mind! But the arguments so far seem to be based on an arbitrary date. I don't see why playing on a Kindle is so much worse that watching films.

I do want to keep them quiet, but only in the sense that I don't want them to be unhappy if it can be avoided. We had playdates planned for yesterday, today and tomorrow, all of which have had to be cancelled. We've already made paper chains, Christmas cards, tree decorations, crackers and biscuits. I'm out of inspiration.

It's true that I don't like their dad very much at the moment. But I express that on here, never ever to them. And I'm not in competition with him - I couldn't be, he earns three times what I do and I gave up on petty competition a long time ago. Unfortunately, he hasn't.

The one thing that I haven't loaded onto the Kindles are books. You're absolutely right that DC3 in particular is too young to read books on his. It's the games, apps and videos that the DCs like them for.

We're going to the pantomime on Thursday, Santa's Grotto on Friday and my parents' on Saturday, so there are other festive events planned to keep some magic.