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AIBU?

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Original poster

FERAL xmas day gift opening

110 replies

HebburnPokemon · 17/12/2024 11:38

AIBU to cringe and feel deflated on xmas morning when the kids (we have a few, aged 7-14) dive into the presents like feral animals, rip open the wrapping on their gifts, not even properly look at the gift before moving to the next, sometimes not even finishing removing the wrapping paper. No thank you. No comment about the gift. Just manic, uncivilised chaos. :( Then disappear back to their rooms.

OP posts:
MoodEnhancer · 17/12/2024 11:49

YANBU for feeling that way. But you can control it!

Years ago, before I had DC, I spent Christmas with my cousin’s family which included their two kids. They were given an obscene number of gifts, and did exactly what you have described, ripping through them, barely acknowledging what they were, or thanking their parents and grandparents etc. It made me resolve never to allow that.

With my DC and other kids in the family, all aged between 9 and 5, though all the presents are under the tree, they are only handed one present at a time to open, usually given by the person who bought it for them, and it means they open them more slowly and appreciate them and thank the gift giver straight away. It turns it more into an activity too.

Stockings are a different story - they come from Santa and can be opened as soon as wake up and in as feral a way as they wish!

Snorlaxo · 17/12/2024 11:49

HebburnPokemon · 17/12/2024 11:45

No! I meant actually remove all the paper and look at the gift.

Show quote history

Did they make a wishlist for you to buy from ? If so they know what th item looks like because they sent you the link. I think that they’d might look at the gift more closely if it’s a surprise.

Is it possible that you’ve bought too many gifts so opening becomes a frenzy ?

NolongeraboutShaun · 17/12/2024 11:49

Are they your children? Why on earth do you let them do this? They aren't toddlers so there is no excuse.

How do people get thanked for their gifts when they have no idea what is from who?

We had young relatives who were like this. Anything they discarded amongst the wrapping paper didn't get fished out for them to take home. "You chucked it in with the rubbish so you clearly didn't want it."

I just stopped getting them presents - ungrateful little shits.

Cynic17 · 17/12/2024 11:48

So give out the presents one at a time. You could even hold some back until a few days later.
Make sure they keep a list of who gave what, so that people can be properly thanked.
This is in your hands, OP - most of us were never allowed to just rip at presents, and had to wait for permission.

Original poster
HebburnPokemon · 17/12/2024 11:45

vix3rd · 17/12/2024 11:41

Did you look at the wrapping when you were wee ?
I remember folk saying things like Oh that's such lovely paper & me thinking what ? OK Pensioner !

No! I meant actually remove all the paper and look at the gift.

OP posts:
Original poster
HebburnPokemon · 17/12/2024 11:45

Snugglemonkey · 17/12/2024 11:41

Why do you allow it? We pass out presents one at a time and the person opens it, then the next opens theirs. Each label is read as the package is handed over. I write down the gifter and the present, so people can be appropriately thanked.

Only stockings are a free for all.

Why do I allow it? Because DH thinks its normal and fine. If I protest I could be seen as a party pooper or scrooge.

Re: passing them out one by one, I like this idea, however each kid gets a different amount of gifts (older teens only get a handful of very expensive items for instance).

OP posts:
Onetimeonly2024 · 17/12/2024 11:43

I do not allow this. Each person opens one present at a time and yes that is exactly how it was done when I was a child and it’s how I do it now. No free for all in my house!

BlueBlueBerries · 17/12/2024 11:41

Well what have you tried to do about it?

vix3rd · 17/12/2024 11:41

Did you look at the wrapping when you were wee ?
I remember folk saying things like Oh that's such lovely paper & me thinking what ? OK Pensioner !

Snugglemonkey · 17/12/2024 11:41

Why do you allow it? We pass out presents one at a time and the person opens it, then the next opens theirs. Each label is read as the package is handed over. I write down the gifter and the present, so people can be appropriately thanked.

Only stockings are a free for all.

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