Silly foreigner is breaking her head over when to put presents under the tree.

36 replies

belgianmama · 10/12/2006 16:58

This must seem like a silly question for you, but as a Belgian who was never visited by father christmas I would like to know when people put presents under the tree here in England. At home we just did it as we bought them, but I'm not sure how things work over here. My tree looks so bare at the moment and I would love to put something under it, but on the other hand if I do it Father Christmas will be out of a job. I'm soooo confused...

OP posts:

Tommy · 10/12/2006 23:14

would garee there is no set tradition for Father christmas here!

In our house when I was a child (and hence in my house now!), presents under the tree are from family and friends and depending on how patient your children are, you can put them there when you get them.

Father Chrisrmas brings little presents in a stocking which is out put on Christmas Eve by the fireplace

that might be just our house though!

pandagirl03 · 11/12/2006 00:10

Hello, the pillow case idea is what i used to do at christmas, can i just say that my pillow case wasn't full to the top, most of the time it was only half full, but on the odd occasion we had a long pressie that went to the top of the pillow case. But me and my sister used to love getting them christmas eve to add another picture it was great fun.

TwinkleInSantasEye · 11/12/2006 00:43

In my family, we hung stockings on the outside of our bedroom doors on Christmas Eve. These were filled with little presents from Father Christmas and we could look at these as soon as we got up. All the other presents were from family and were put round the tree last thing on Christmas Eve ready for the morning. We were allowed to go to see the tree with the presents, but couldn't open any of the presents until everyone had sat down with a drink, usually at around midday.

I fully intend to continue this tradition with my DS when he's old enough to know what's going on. It's such a shame, IMHO, when children rip open all their presents on their own first thing in the morning - it must spoil their excitement for the rest of the day.

PinkTinsel · 11/12/2006 00:45

only some of our presents are from santy so the rest are under the tree before then.

jabberwocky · 11/12/2006 02:30

I'm in the US. We put all presents under the tree early on. Then Santa leaves his gifts on Chhristmas Eve which are kind of a seperate thing. He also fills the stockings hung by the mantle.

bloss · 11/12/2006 02:39

Message withdrawn

belgo · 11/12/2006 10:12

'breaking her head'- where did you get that expression from?

LunarSeasonsGreetings · 11/12/2006 10:47

Under the tree as soon as they're wrapped in our house, except for the presents "from Father Christmas" for ds which are hidden until he's asleep on Christmas eve and then placed in the sack he leaves out by the fireplace ready to receive them.

Skribble · 11/12/2006 22:54

Twinkle glad you are going for a more controled opening.

Mum alays did this with us, we used to open our stockings in our bed, then repack stocking and go in to my brothers room, show each other our presents then repack stocking and take it through to mums broom, show her everything (even as teenagers , then we had to get dressed and took it all down stairs. All got toast and tea then we started on the pressies under the tree. Took turns to be postie and hand people presents to open, waited to see what each person was opening.

I do the same with mine, it is possible and doesn't have to be all ripped open by 8am. MIL is the only one that thinks she can rush down in her PJ's, she is getting better. Make it last all morning then DH helps put together barbies and mecanno while I make dinner.

TwinkleInSantasEye · 11/12/2006 23:07

Yep, that's exactly what we did!

wangle99 · 12/12/2006 07:16

Our presents are all under the tree now (and have been for a week). Father Christmas only delivers stocking presents in our house.

Flip

1 2