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AIBU?

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Original poster

Before or AFTER lunch for present opening?

118 replies

38cody · 25/12/2016 00:30

MIL here now, staying over ready for lunch tomorrow.
Younger DC were excited and I talked them through the plan for tomorrow including santa's stocking gifts when they wake up then play, bath, breakfast etc. Lunch then under the tree presents after lunch.
MIL said she's always opened all gifts first thing.
I like to spread it out so there's more to look forward to after lunch.
Of course we're doing it my way. Wondering what the popular consensus is?

OP posts:
Callipygian · 25/12/2016 00:57

I had all presents in my bedroom as a kid - I don't really get it, my parents didn't even come to watch. I would then go to my (much older) brothers room and open all of his as he would let me.

Now we do stockings first thing but presents all together after light lunch but before the main xmas dinner late afternoon.

Wookiecookies · 25/12/2016 00:58

Stockings, breakfast, rest of presents, lunch. Love it!

SparkleChristmasGlitter · 25/12/2016 00:59

Always before

MsJamieFraser · 25/12/2016 01:00

We do both, they open the vast majority of their gifts in the morning, however their most non treasured gift awaits them until after they have eaten lunch... they sit on the diner table... with a note from their elf that they cannot be opened until after they have eaten their tea... it's awesome how much they eat... and don't ask for food 30 mins later...

MadisonAvenue · 25/12/2016 01:03

As soon as we get up.

ragdoll700 · 25/12/2016 01:12

First thing possibly 5 am when they wake hoping to hold them off an hour though

MrsMcMoo · 25/12/2016 01:12

It's entirely up to you and your partner.

ImtheChristmasCarcass · 25/12/2016 01:14

Santa gifts in the morning. 'Family' gifts after lunch.

KeptOnRaining · 25/12/2016 01:14

What's this 'lunch' business all about that's crept in this year? It's Christmas DINNER! No matter what time you eat, it's Christmas Dinner.

However, back to presents, stockings and one present on the foot of the bed for whatever unwholly time the child wakes up.

Parents woken at 6.

Presents.

Breakfast.

Play.

Christmas DINNER (about 2)

StrawberryMouse · 25/12/2016 01:18

First thing here. My dad used to space our presents out and force set activities like a morning walk, the speech etc and my brother and I pretty much just wished all that time away as we were dying to open our presents! We tend to get the excitement out of the way early and then we can all relax and enjoy time together afterwards.

Brokenbiscuit · 25/12/2016 01:32

We do stockings on waking, then presents after "brunch" - usually smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with Buck's Fizz. We then have a big cooked dinner in the early evening. Brunch doesn't usually start until 11ish, so it's probably around noon by the time we open the presents under the tree.

Sybys · 25/12/2016 01:38

Everything first thing here. I think stockings first thing then family presents after lunch (assuming lunch is fairly early) is okay, but it seems to me that it would be torturour for young DCs to wait all day to open their presents, then probably have to go to bed soon after.

DustyCropHopper · 25/12/2016 01:50

Stocking from bed as soon as they are all awake. Downstairs presents after breakfast. Our tree presents are normally pressies from others so we have them after lunch but this year we do not have any so will have my mum's gifts in the afternoon.

Topseyt · 25/12/2016 01:53

Everything first thing in the morning here, with a breakfast of bucks fizz.

glentherednosedbattleostrich · 25/12/2016 01:54

Right now I'd settle for after 5am!

But normally, stockings on waking, then make breakfast / caffeine then open presents.

SenecaFalls · 25/12/2016 02:00

Presents opened first thing while drinking coffee, juice and eating buns, but only one at a time so that everyone can admire and appreciate. Then Christmas Dinner about 2-3 pm.

MommaGee · 25/12/2016 02:22

Breakfast then presents then lunch however this year due to huge pile of presents for DS it may spread a little over the day and into Boxing Day. Not a stealth boast, I'm very touched by how many people have bought for him but slightly overwhelmed

Cineraria · 25/12/2016 02:30

Stocking and Father Christmas present first thing. Family and friends' presents after lunch.

Chelazla · 25/12/2016 02:32

First thing my kids would never be able to wait!

BreatheDeep · 25/12/2016 02:45

When I was a kid - stockings first in the morning, no need to wait for everyone. Then when everyone is up we'd open the rest. Then have brunch. Meal would be around 3pm.

For my kids now - stocking at home then breakfast. Then over to grandparents to open the rest. Meal around 3pm.

Ericaequites · 25/12/2016 03:54

When my sibs and I were young, presents took place in the morning, after eating sticky buns. After I went to university, presents were opened after dinner. Christmas dinner takes place at 1300, because that's how my greatgrandmother did it. My mother has dementia, My sister and I are going over there to prepare/be micromanaged through the traditional dinner. Thou shalt have roast beef, not ham nor turkey. There used to be as many as fourteen for dinner, at two tables. Now, we are down to five. The others have passed...

Ericaequites · 25/12/2016 03:56

Stockings were placed at the foot of our beds, opened before waking parents. If you put a paperback or small Lego kit in, you can buy time to sleep in.

marvelousdcomics · 25/12/2016 05:42

Wake up, stockings, presents about 8ish, maybe 9.

DragonMamma · 25/12/2016 06:04

As soon as you can see it, you can open it here.

We have another glut of presents off my mum, before lunch but all presents from us get opened this morning...

soundsystem · 25/12/2016 06:08

We do a bit of both. Stockings and main presents (from us/Santa) in the morning then the tree presents (from other family, etc) later in the day.