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Christmas

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Original poster

when do you do presents on The Day?

74 replies

Slartybartfast · 19/12/2017 07:31

we normally do stockings and presents after the meal, which is at 3 or 4
but this year we are eating at someones house?

what does everyone do?

OP posts:
PasDeDeux · 19/12/2017 11:49

After breakfast, and with a massive mug of tea!

Atticusss · 19/12/2017 11:50

Stockings in our bed, then a long cooked breakfast, then main tree presents.

WhyOhWine · 19/12/2017 11:50

When I was growing up, we did all presents (incl stocking) first thing. In DH's family, they got a small stocking whihc they opened first thing and then main presents after lunch.
We had a lengthy debate about this when DC were small. We ended up compromising on DC getting their stocking from FC first thing and main presents from us after lunch. However, stockings are a decent size and include some "proper" presents from their list (when they did one) and not just tat.
It works well. The DC did not get too impatient for the main presents as they had a decent pile first thing, and in fact enjoy the anticipation.

DoubleLottchen · 19/12/2017 12:23

We usually do stockings first thing in the morning, presents under the tree after lunch.

But this year we have guests, including some small children, and I'm worried I shouldn't really make them wait until after lunch, as I suspect they are not used to waiting, unlike my own DC.

So I am planning on stockings first thing, breakfast, mini round of present opening (possibly just children), walk, lunch, second round of present opening (adults and children). I think it will help spread it out, plus inevitably the children will have more presents than the adults.

TheGrumpySquirrel · 19/12/2017 12:31

Stockings in bed
Then a big cooked breakfast with mimosas
Then tree presents after breakfast

KenForPM · 19/12/2017 12:36

Presents in morning, all varieties. Then again we eat fairly late (usually dinner time rather than lunch) so making us wait till after Xmas dinner would have been really cruel!! Making children wait till after lunch sounds miserable, especially if kids wake up early and can see the pile, teasing them.

maddiemookins16mum · 19/12/2017 13:19

DD has a stocking, just little things like a new hairbrush, socks, a diary and some sweets.
We go downstairs, have tea and crumpets in the lounge and open our 'comedy present'. It's one of our family traditions (DP has a Game of Thrones garden gnome this year). We then usually open the rest but keep some back for when Granny arrives at lunchtime.
This year DP is working so we're doing comedy presents and DD's main present first thing and the rest later (this was DD's idea).

Bluntness100 · 19/12/2017 13:25

First thing of course...I can't understand how anyone can see little kids rush downstairs, see their gifts, and tell them they can't open them till later. Thats shit and I fail to see what good purpose it serves.

As such, our tradition is first thing too.

Taffeta · 19/12/2017 13:29

Stockings on our bed first thing
Downstairs one big gift from Santa

Rest of presents after late lunch 4ish
Take it in turns one at a time

sinceyouask · 19/12/2017 13:32

First thing in the morning, and if we are going to someone/ having someone for dinner, we exchange presents with them as soon as we get there/ they arrive. Try and do one at a time but it turns into a bit of a free for all most years.

Arrowfanatic · 19/12/2017 14:53

Stockings on our bed, they just have chocolate and those little blind bags in.

Then downstairs to open presents under the tree. I'd love to wait until I've had a cuppa but I doubt the kids husband could manage to wait that long.

TheBlueMeaniesAreComing · 19/12/2017 15:18

We open presents as soon as we come downstairs in the morning. I get impatient enough waiting on my dc waking up never mind waiting until after lunch/dinner. We have family visit us Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Boxing Day and go visiting family Christmas evening so realistically Christmas presents are a three day event 🤣

mookinsx · 19/12/2017 15:24

we had stockings in the morning, and presents too and from each other - my dad and brother and sometimes me would go to church while my mum (or me and mum) would get things ready for lunch
we would have lunch and then the rest of the presents

now I've moved out - me and partner give each other our presents as soon as we wake up

Natsku · 19/12/2017 15:24

Stockings when we wake up, and then a few presents under the tree after breakfast (ones from family). The rest we have after the meal when Joulupukki (the Christmas Goat Grin ) turns up at FIL's with the rest of the presents. This is all on Christmas Eve so we get a day ahead Grin

happymummy12345 · 19/12/2017 15:26

We open presents once ds (2) is up.

TheFallenMadonna · 19/12/2017 15:35

Our presents go under the tree as we get them, so our children saw their presents for days before they got to open them Shock

The filled stocking was the source of the Father Christmas magic. Still is really. Even for my teenagers.

TheHolidayArmadillo · 19/12/2017 18:55

Stockings in our bed when the DC wake up, then other presents before breakfast while I drink coffee.

We then do presents round 2 at about 11 when my parents come over, and round 3 after dinner at about 4 at the PILs.

NotAChristmasCakePop · 19/12/2017 19:02

Stockings in bed as soon as eyes open, then downstairs to see what FC has brought. Then some breakfast and straight on with the rest of it. Also not heard of waiting before MN.

Lovemusic33 · 19/12/2017 20:02

Usually everything is open by 8am, every year I try and make it last all day. This year we are at home so I’m planning stockings when they wake up and then the rest after breakfast.

ddrmum · 19/12/2017 20:24

FC sack at the end of their beds, breakfast, pressies from me then lunch at mums and the rest of the family gifts after that. Seems rm work well

LearnFromThePast · 19/12/2017 20:24

First thing

alseb · 19/12/2017 20:43

Stockings in our bed (anytime from about 5am and then downstairs to open all presents. I did this as a child. Mayhem, magic and probably chocolate for breakfast. This is our way and our children love it as do we!

Arlama10 · 19/12/2017 22:59

stocking as soon as they wake, breakfast and then presents from us, DP family & friends. Xmas dinner at DM about 1.30 and the kids get their gifts from DM, uncles etc after eating so opening lasts all day. As a child i would have stocking as soon as I woke, 1-2 gifts in the morning and the rest after lunch. We'd play games and with the already opened gifts until it was time to eat. I loved it that way and I'd do the same with my girls if we weren't at DM every year.

Lisamac1988 · 20/12/2017 00:02

Stockings in bed then they can open there presents downstairs.i like everything to be unwrapped before they start opening the boxes though.with 3 kids the mess is unreal

KenForPM · 20/12/2017 00:34

See leaving presents under the tree before Xmas Eve night just wouldn’t be the same for me. The whole magic comes from there being nothing there when you go to bed to there being loads when you wake up. There was the year ages ago when my brother (then v young) woke up at 1am and opened all his stuff under the tree...

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