Christmas presents all in one go

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Debate between my DH and myself as to whether there’s a norm.

As kids we opened stockings as soon as we woke up - all nice bits and pieces but no main gifts. We were then allowed to open one gift from parents after breakfast. Then we had to wait until after lunch, which meant after the queen’s speech, for anything else. Then some gifts were saved for Boxing Day. It was horrible waiting when younger.

DH’s family opened everything all at once before or after breakfast.

I like it spread out (but more main gifts in the morning so DC can play), DH thinks all at once. I never before considered there was a different way.

What do you do?
YANBU- spread through the day
YABU- open all at once

You said yourself it was awful spreading it out.

All at once, before breakfast. Although with my own DC, who get spoilt by extended family, we've started spreading them out as they get so overwhelmed and actually need a break

All at once before breakfast. Except for the toddler who was wayyyy overwhelmed with it last year - we are spreading his out this year.

It really was awful. I’ve no idea why I’ve carried on with splitting it!

Ive never opened presents spread out

Stockings first thing. Main stuff under the tree can be held off til after breakfast but no later imho!!

We’ve always done them all at once, as soon as we’ve got up. That was how it was done when I was a child too.

All at once. If you see family on Boxing Day then opportunity for a further present exchange then.

As kids, we always opened them all. It was amazing. It didn't make me appreciate it less.

With younger children, we spread presents out over several days or weeks, following their lead on whether they seem bored etc (under 3 years old). But as soon as they're old enough to not be overwhelmed, happy for them to open all. It's exciting!

We do stockings in bed, then I like to get the turkey in the oven before we all open our main presents with bucks fizz and breakfast, otherwise I can't relax. Other than that no waiting.

We do stockings in bed (kids bring theirs into our room)
Then downstairs for Santa gifts which will be a couple of ‘main’ presents
Then breakfast and get dressed and then sit down for all the presents under tree from family and friends etc

I’ve never understood the stocking thing.

My brother and I had a pillowcase on either side of the fireplace filled with our presents.

We opened them when we woke up.

When I was a child we opened the presents after dinner. So anywhere between 8 and 9 pm I guess. That’s how it’s traditionally done in Denmark. You also all take turns opening one present each and everyone watches and waits.

I loved the anticipation of the wait throughout the day. It made it much more exciting.

My girls grew up in England and they had stockings in the morning as soon as they woke up, then opened their other presents a bit later after I’d got up.

Stockings first then everyone showered / dressed / breakfasted and then main presents throughout the morning before lunch.

We always opened them all at once, before breakfast.

Our son opens his all at once - more time for playing that way!

That said, although he is an extremely lucky boy who always has a nice pile of presents on Christmas morning, we don't buy so much that he becomes overwhelmed.

After breakfast but everyone takes it in turns to pick a present from under tree and give it to recipient and one is opened at a time, so it can take quite a while if there's a lot of people! Sometimes we break for a light brunch

5am present opening frenzy followed by a selection box for breakfast and collapse by 8am. It's tradition

Stocking as soon as they wake up, presents after breakfast, adults drink bubbles while opening them :)

We did what you did growing up. I loved it as it prolonged the excitement. We went to church in the morning, so the day was busy enough we weren't just waiting around. We do the same with our children. Main presents after lunch.

We had an extended family Christmas- our family tradition was all in the morning, my cousins had to wait until after the Queen’s Speech.

Worked out great for us, as we opened in two sessions.

Was super shit for my cousins as kids having to wait!

My DH’s family did the everyone opens one present at a time in turn and turn about while other people watch. I also find this excruciating. At ours everyone opens at once and you catch people’s eye to say ‘wow, love it’ or conveniently have a bit of breathing room and no pressure or attention on you if you’re not quite so readily thrilled

We did Christmas Eve for some presents, then stockings in bed in the morning, fancy breakfast, then the rest of the presents! But we also had a huge diner on Christmas Eve (like a full Christmas meal!).

All at once - but if they want to open, play, open play that's up to them.
Usually a break for bucks fizz breakfast in the middle but otherwise all fair game.

Stockings first thing. Everything else after the Queen's Speech. Though last year we stretched toddler's out over a week as he had so many he'd have been totally overwhelmed.

It was about 4 am when I was a kid. My son tends to wake about 6.30. Opens all. He does get more from family later in the day though, when we visit.

We opened all "Santa" presents before breakfast and family presents after dinner