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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

when do you put presents from YOU to DC under tree?

86 replies

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 14/12/2013 23:17

Now....bit by bit, ALL out with FC presents too? Next weekend?

Have put a few out now..but not sure if I should wait for max, effect.....

OP posts:

lambbone · 15/12/2013 20:50

Presents go under the tree as and when they are wrapped. I don't think a tree looks properly dressed until it has presents underneath. Tree went up yesterday and as I'd been super efficient this year there is a big pile of pressies to add to the gaiety.

I do think the "all presents are from Santa" thing is really weird. Santa brings a stocking, with bits and pieces. You get a stocking first thing, left at the foot of your bed/outside your door which you can address as you see fit, but wrapped gifts from named people are unwrapped in a civilised fashion at a civilised hour (after church) and the donors are thanked either in person or by letter/phone. We've always done it like this and even though the youngest is now 17 there would be a riot if we deviated in any respect from these arrangements, or from any Christmas traditions. I suggested moving the tree from one side of the room to the other- the 21 year old was the one who complained the loudest.

I know on MN we say each to his own-but you know my way is the right way!

Original poster

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 15/12/2013 20:54

We don't have any donors though

OP posts:

Oblomov · 15/12/2013 21:17

Ours are out already. All presents are from us. One small one from Father Christmas.

Taffeta · 15/12/2013 21:34

They are all under the tree now except for the one big Santa present. And of course any from people other than us.

It's family tradition to poke and prod, and I have very happy memories of doing this with my sister when I was their age. (7 & 10) No way would I deprive them of that.

applecrumbleandcream · 15/12/2013 21:50

All presents from Santa a bit 'wierd'? Christmas is for children and it's about trying to make it magical for them, so who cares who the presents are off? Stop trying to make it into my ways better than yours.....presents after dinner anyone? Not in our house!!

Clandy · 15/12/2013 21:54

Ours are out and looking good! Dd's are 1 and 3 and so far have shown no interest in opening them. Dd1 likes to go and sit by hers and look at it. Dd2 I don't think has noticed them too busy playing with baubles

AnAdventureInCakeAndWine · 15/12/2013 21:57

Depends whether we have a toddler or not. Years that we don't, bit by bit over the week or so before Christmas; years that we do, before bedtime on Christmas Eve so that they get to see them but not destroy them utterly...

Original poster

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 16/12/2013 12:36

I did a mammoth wrap session last night, numb bottom, sick of celotape that just doesnt seem to stick its its one job in life....arrgghhhhhh....

Think I have a good balance here, some out to tease and tantilise, and a few presents for other people will go under now until xmas eve...then the spread true will appear then.

Sorted!

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 16/12/2013 12:38

We don't put any presents under the tree until Christmas Eve but that's because my dog would unwrap them all on a daily basis .

Original poster

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 17/12/2013 09:21

Neither our dog nor our baby has bothered with the tree or presents! I am amazed, my 6 year old on the other hand.....

OP posts:

CloserLook · 17/12/2013 09:38

I'd love to put them out now because it makes the tree look complete but DS who's 5 would find it too much so we tend to wait until he's gone to bed on Christmas Eve.

Presents under the tree are from us and family though and just the stockings from FC so if we do decide to put them out early we can. Might put a few presents from family out at the weekend then add the rest on Christmas Eve.

Luckily for us the dog will sniff and nudge them with her nose but not actually tear the paper.

hallowisitmeyourelookingfor · 17/12/2013 17:39

Can't believe all you meanies not putting them out until they've gone to bed on the 24th, depriving all your children of the exciting squeezing and squishing of the presents, trying to work out what they are! Grinches the lot of you!

AnneWentworth · 17/12/2013 18:21

I had never thought about all the apprehension. Although I do remember prodding etc when I was a child.

CremeEggThief · 17/12/2013 22:39

They've been there since Saturday (15th) when I wrapped them, but my DS is 11.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 17/12/2013 22:40

When they're wrapped - they've gone under tonight!

CoffeeChocolateWine · 17/12/2013 22:42

Everything comes out on Christmas eve evening. If they came out any earlier they wouldn't last to Christmas day!

ImaginativeNewName · 17/12/2013 22:43

Christmas eve here too...

I don't think I could ignore presents under the tree if I knew they were for me and I'm 28!

MabliD · 17/12/2013 22:52

Christmas eve after child in bed- that's always been the magic in my family. We spent Christmas at my parents' last year and still did the big gasp "He's been!" thing, and DSis and I were 27/24. 32 year old DH did look at us a little oddly, I'll admit. Father Christmas is a festive postman in our house, he delivers all gifts, even though only the stocking and grotto requested gift are from him.

Also, toddler + cats + wrapped gifts = disaster. I prefer only wrapping the once.

ZombieSquirrel · 18/12/2013 00:28

Chrustmas Eve.

Usually I forget one, only realise when getting out stockings at midnight, and have to tiptoe down agonisingly creaky stairs to rustle around and place the present down and then realising in the morning I've put it in another room no sense of direction

princesscupcakemummyb · 18/12/2013 11:03

we dont untill the actual day because our dc are 4 and 2 and they would most likely open them before they where ment to

WhomessweetWhomes · 18/12/2013 19:49

Presents go under the tree when they are wrapped. I don't think the dc would dare do more than stare at them, though I could be wrong..! FC only does the stockings, which are opened first thing on Christmas morning. Rest of the presents are from the real givers and are opened after getting dressed and having breakfast.

BeckyBrandon · 18/12/2013 19:53

christmas eve when DD is in bed

Original poster

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 18/12/2013 20:50

Becky Have you managed to restrain your buying this xmas?

I wonder if I should make DD wait till dressed to open some too....stagger it out a little....

I usually hold back a few things anyway to open between courses, but only little things....

OP posts:

MmeGuillotine · 18/12/2013 21:08

Our presents are all under the tree now as our boys are old enough (eight and five) not to unwrap them and I think giving presents a good poke and shake is all part of the fun. :)

pigleychez · 18/12/2013 21:12

Ours are under the tree already. Santa brings stocking presents and one or two other bigger ones. DH doesn't want Santa to get all the credit! :)

The girls are 3 and 5 and haven't poked at them at all. They acknowledged that they are there but haven't been rummaging for theirs at all. This is the second year that the tree has been exposed to them too.ie not tucked away in a corner between two sofas :)

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