Hello!
This is my first post on Mumsnet, I suppose I'm not the only (new) dad on here!
Now the reason I'm posting this is that the other day my sister-in-law, while Christmas shopping in a reputable "educational" toyshop, was told by a shop assistant that a study had been carried out by "experts" (paediatricians or child psychologists or someone) saying that for young children (maybe it was "for babies") presents should be left UNWRAPPED under the tree as this apparently left a more lasting impression on the littl'un.
Now I know there are other posts on whether to wrap Christmas stocking toys or not but I've looked around the internet and can't find any reference to this study. My other half seems to think this is a great idea but I'm not too sure... wouldn't my five-month old enjoy ripping off the pretty paper? Or is five months too young for all that?
Also, one of my own most lasting memories of Christmas as a nipper was my mum giving me a REAL stocking (as in one of hers), putting it on the bed on Christmas Eve and then waking up on Christmas Day to find this flimsy thing had expanded to (what seemed an) enormous size filled with little presents from Father Christmas. Presents from the family were waiting under the tree in the living room for later. Do other families do this in Britain or was this just my family's version... I get the idea that most kids have some kind of shop-bought festive jumbo sock instead of a real stocking these days.
As I haven't lived in the UK for over 12 years and Father Christmas seems to play second fiddle to the three wise men here I was wondering what does go on in 21st century Britain re the fat man with the sack.
Merry Christmas, and thanks to anyone who can help!