To thing my Step-mum should be more flexible about this?

[Batmanwearspants]

Spending xmas eve with my dad and it’s the only day I’m seeing him over the festive period. Step-Mum is adamant presents can’t be opened before xmas day, so we aren’t opening each other’s gifts in front of each other and we will be taking ours back and opening them tomorrow alone.

I’d quite like to see my dad open his present from me but that doesn’t seem to be allowed. I don’t really understand why me step-Mum is being so rigid about this. Aibu?

Perfect opportunity to stand up for what you want. He's going to hand you some presents, what's she going to do if you start unwrapping them? Explode? Die of frustration? Bundle you out of the door?
You're an adult, it's up to you.
Hopefully your dad will then see that he's not controlled by her. It's such a small, personal thing. Do not let people control you over these kind of things. She has no right. She has a right to stop people from being violent or aggressive or horribly drunk in her house, but not to stop them open their own presents. Stand up to it, OP!

She’s being utterly ridiculous. Do people not feel embarrassed at being so childish and self-centred?

I'm spending tonight at my partner's house and will be taking his presents over.

If he tries to open them before midnight I'm wrestling the fucker to the ground and taking them back off him.

Christmas presents are not to be opened before Christmas Day IMO. I know it's not really important in the grand scheme of things and nobody will die if they get opened early btw.

YANBU

She can choose not to open hers, she’s an adult she can do what she wants. I always save all presents for Christmas morning, but I wouldn’t insist on anyone else doing so.

But equally you and your dad can also make your own choices whether to open yours or not. But your dad is in a difficult position choosing who to please so may well find it easier to stick to what has always happened.

Just one yours and ask dp to do the same

Open

My partner and I have had his son (4) as he's at his mums tomorrow. So he's had his presents from us today and we've had a couple each that he has "brought" us. My partners parents also been up and we've swapped and opened all ours between us so he could be part of it. Surely that's normal.

She is being unnecessarily controlling and unreasonable.

They are your presents do what you want to do!!

Just explain that you're keen to see your dad's reaction to his gift and thank him in person for your gift. She shouldn't get to dictate, especially if you point out that the alternative would have to be opening them alone as it's awkward with your mum. Bossy people need to be kept in check.

Or you could have said, "or wait, here's an idea. Let's not "see what she says" but make an autonomous decision for ourselves. I'd like to see you open my gift to you and I won't be here tomorrow."

When she goes out of the room, grab a present and rip it open.

She is being a controlling bully. Why let her spoil your enjoyment of a Christmas moment with your Dad?

Personally I don't think presents should be opened before Christmas morning. If that's the way tgey want to do things then you should go along with it. Your dad is fairly typical of a lot of men who will go with what the mrs says.

I'd not wrap his present then - put it in a gift bag instead. That way he can look inside, see what it is, and it will still be "in its wrapping".
Ta-dah!

Step-Mum is adamant presents can’t be opened before xmas day

she can't physically stop you opening yours so just ignore her dictat and open them!

Or another thought, don't give your Dad his present, keep it until the next time you visit him, then you will be able to share the moment when he opens it.
Explain to them why you are doing that.

OP why does it feel awkward opening gifts from your Dad at your Mums on Christmas day.. what's the issue with your Mum

gemini like many divorced people my parents don’t get on? At all.

Why is she doing this?

Because she can-your father lets her.

If he can't tell her not to be so daft of course he'll open his present if he wants to, then that's his lookout.

Hmmm he sounds like my dad. He needs to tell her to butt out and both open each other's gifts now!

Ooh I like Thumbwitches idea

SO there are issues in Both homes for you OP... that's a shame x

If you are not going to see your Dad on Christmas Day then your Christmas time with your Dad is today - Christmas Eve. To me, the best part of giving a gift is seeing the reaction of the recipient - especially if I know it's something they will really love. She is attempting to deprive you and your dad of that moment of seeing each other's reactions to your gifts.

While on the whole, yes, presents should be opened on Christmas Day, there has to be some flexibility on that and this is one of those times.

Wait until she's busy in the kitchen or something and just open them! What's she going to do? Make you wrap them back up?!

No alfa please pay attention!

There will be wrestling

Yanbu. She is being bonkers.

"It's not really about you. Dad and I are adults who make our own decisions. We're exchanging gifts, and they're going to be opened since we won't be seeing each other tomorrow."

REpeat as necessary.

In some places it's traditional to open presents on Christmas Eve.

I don't see a problem with opening a present early.