To think if family members / friends give your children presents before Christmas Day it’s fine to open them…

[ShirleyPhallus]

… instead of waiting for Christmas Day?

I thought this would be a unanimous opinion but I’ve seen another thread where lots of posters were saying they make their children wait and open all gifts on Christmas Day with the gift giver on FaceTime

id always let mine open them when they get them, if handed them personally by a family member or friend because:

1. it gives the gift giver the pleasure of watching the child open the present in person
2. it spreads things out a bit for the child so they don’t get completely overwhelmed by loads and loads of presents on Christmas Day

my husband and I both have quite large families so doing a “Christmas Day” celebration with part of the family where we exchange gifts and have a roast a week or two early is totally normal

obviously if someone is sending a gift and it arrives before Christmas it’d go under the tree to be opened on Christmas Day

YABU - all Christmas presents should be saved and opened on Christmas day
YANBU - it’s fine to open presents early if the child is with the gift giver

YABU. They’re Christmas presents and should be saved for Christmas Day. I would never let my children open any presents beforehand (nor would I be faffing about on FaceTime).

Op I completely agree with you. But loads won't!

We go with what the gift giver prefers, though we don’t FaceTime on Christmas Day. If they would like them to open the gift immediately that’s understandable and it spaces things out. Otherwise we would default to waiting for Christmas.

Not too bothered either way so would be led by whoever gives them the presents.

I agree with this. Often the gift giver isn't around on Christmas Day to see them open the gift so I think unless they want you to wait it's nice to open it when with them even if earlier than Christmas Day.

Isn’t it nice for the gift giver to see them opening it though?

I find my kids get so many gifts that if they opened them all on Christmas Day they’ve be totally overwhelmed and manage to play with everything and nothing at the same time

I quite like mine to open the gifts with the person who has given them so that it's obvious who the gift has come from. On Christmas day they just get a bit lost in the mayhem and the kids don't make the connection so clearly

No way! They are for Christmas

Also in the open them when you’re given them camp. Unless the gift giver wants Father Christmas to deliver them, then we spirit them away to hide. We usually go to family on Christmas Day afternoon and encourage them to keep their presents there, it’s spreads to excitement and lessens chaos in the morning.

We learnt the hard way that our DCs get overwhelmed on Christmas morning with too many things to open. Plus one has their birthday just before Christmas so it’s present opening season!

I think it depends. I wouldn’t be opening presents on FaceTime- photos and thank yous are enough. It can be nice to leave some things to Christmas Day and equally nice to open things in advance in other situations (and I agree avoiding young children being overwhelmed is a good idea).

Nope. You are giving a gift for Christmas, so it gets opened on Christmas. You can then let the giver know how well the present went down after.

You give because you know they’ll like it (hopefully, if you’re not lazy/thoughtless), not to see their reaction.

I'm with you OP! Growing up this is what we did. I'm a nanny and love giving gifts and really appreciate when parents let me open them with the child. It also allows them time to enjoy it before the barrage of gifts on the day.

Open when you are given them if it's a suitable occasion. Spread the joy!

I’d go with what the gift giver prefers. When mine were younger I’d always let them open one small present on Christmas Eve. A reward from Santa for being good and patient lol

I guess it comes down to how many presents there are in total.
My kids have a stocking, and maybe half a dozen things to unwrap on Xmas day. So yes, anything extra that comes in is kept until the 25th.
But it sounds like there are many more gifts in total at your house, so your way works for you.

You give because you know they’ll like it (hopefully, if you’re not lazy/thoughtless), not to see their reaction.

Who died and made you rule-maker of why people give gifts and what they can get from it

I wouldn't. It is still Advent, and it's far more exciting to wait for Christmas Day.

Depends.

If your spending time with the gift giver, having a meal and a mini celebration then open with them on the day.

If posted, dropped off at the door, given as leaving... then wait till Xmas day.

I'm with you. Presents can be opened with the gift given.

We also generally only do santa presents and immediate family presents in the morning. Then all presents are given by extended family are opened in their homes with them unless we are hosting Christmas day.

It spaces out present giving and gives the kids time to actually open and absorb what they have been given.

There's no right or wrong way. The only way is whatever the parents choose.

Personally I made mine wait until Christmas day, just as my parents made me wait.

Looking at it under the tree, wondering what it might be etc just really added to the excitement.

I’d say judging by the many threads on here after Christmas then people certainly do not know

Having said that, when I was a child we only really got one present from parents and one from 'Santa'. So it was nice to see more presents under the tree from aunts/uncles etc to open on Christmas day.

Nowadays we buy far far more for our children, so I guess adding to the 'pile' isn't really as important.

It was the same with Christmas food/treats. They weren't touched until Christmas Eve, as back then we didn't have loads of money or even a decent sized fridge/freezer, so it all had to last.

Fuck me I sound ancient

…. That the recipient will definitely like it!

I think it’s a real shame for grandparents (for example) to give the child a gift a few days before Christmas if they’re not spending it with them and then not get to see the child opening it, loving it, playing with jt etc

Christmas presents are for Christmas day.
But wtf is that face time weirdness, who on earth would do that??

YANBU OP. People want to see kids open their presents and there'll be so many on Christmas day they don't need more!