We are travelling a lot over Christmas, FIL on Saturday, then on to my parents on Christmas Eve, then to my sister's on Christmas Day (about an hour from my parents), then either back to my parents and home on Boxing Day, or straight home Christmas Night. On Christmas Day itself we will be leaving my parents about 10am for the rest of the day. My nephews are older than my dc, one is getting 3 presents, the other has vouchers etc, so there will be no grand present opening there, beyond gifts between the families. They won't have time to play with anything. My father hasn't been well and is unstable on his feet so don't think stuff all over the floor would be welcome either. Plus of course transporting them around the country, there isn't really space in the car for 3 lots of presents for them, plus presents for family, plus clothes, without having cramped travelling space in the back.
I am wondering about delaying presents from us until we get home. FC will obviously know where they are, so they will get their stocking presents (about half the total), plus a present each from grandparents etc. How would you introduce this concept? Ds is 3 so fairly oblivious to tradition, but the dd are nearly 8 and 6. The presents would all be from us so no magic involved, and maybe we could take their presents to each other. Do I tell them before we leave, do we wait until CD but risk their disappointment on the day? I'm a bit sad, but also I know that they won't have time or space on CD to enjoy their new toys and this way dh might not realise that I have gone just as over the top as last year! .