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Christmas

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

Christmas our/your way?

37 replies

3littlemincemeatpies · 18/11/2019 20:43

Just been reading an other thread and love hearing how other families enjoy their Christmas’s. So many variations on traditions and the way things are done, no right or wrong in it but I guess because it’s an important, special time for most families we become quite protective and defensive over the way we do it and it got me thinking that some of the things we do might seem alien to someone else for example we....

Don’t hang stocking on our bed, two of my girls (while they absolutely loved Christmas Eve and the excitement of it) were pretty scared of Santa coming into their room and were much happier if the stocking got left downstairs with everyone else, MIL has to get her tuppence in every year about what a strange tradition that is and how I’m breaking a long line of tradition from DH’s side!! Hmm

Everything comes from Santa in our house, apart from presents from grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. I’m more than happy for Santa to take all the credit and I don’t think there is anything more magical than Santa with a big sack of presents on his back and ready fo drop off.

Stockings are a free for all but sack presents are opened taking turns. We started this a few years ago and it’s actually my 3 girls that keep it going now. It makes present opening last longer and think they are a lot more aware of what they are opening rather that tearing the paper off, chucking gift to the side and going NEXXXXT!!! Grin We also have a break before we do presents under the tree and traditionally get dressed up, open more fizz and have some posh nibbles while doing them. On top of that we also have presents for the table, sometimes a main thing, other years something thoughtful.

We always have a trick present (another one my MIL doesn’t get) Santa leaving a doll in the freezer the year my middle asked for the talking Elsa, dove soap bars wrapped up beautifully at the table last year, which my eldest two couldn’t wait to get their hands on as they were determined they were the fitbits they had asked for, obviously they got the Elsa doll and the Fitbits but I like to draw it out to make it more memorable and we quite often have a “remember the year...” conversation around this time! Grin

So how would these traditions go down in your house and in what ways do you think you might do things slightly different to the rest?

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BillHadersNewWife · 18/11/2019 20:50

We don't hang stockings on the beds either....purely because it's a nightmare waiting for the DC to fall asleep soundly enough to fill the buggers up! Our DC have them on the fireplace.

I don't do "everything is from Santa" because I wanted to leave myself an "out" when they asked for something I couldn't afford or didn't think I wanted to get for various reasons...so I made it so that Santa only ever brings a few token gifts...often things that are traditional in nature. A ball, a doll, some craft things like paints.

Big items...things they've seen on tv always come from us.

We've never taken turns because neither DH nor I did. They have the wrapping paper frenzy and we then all clear the paper away.

We have Christmas Eve gifts from the elves. I learned that from MN....at some point on Christmas Eve afternoon, the elves sneakily place two gift bags on the front doorstep. These contain new pyjamas and a nice mug....usually some chocolates, candy cane and marshmallows and maybe a small book or colouring set. Then the DC have something to distract themselves with!

AS mine have got older, it's trickier to deliver the elf gifts without them noticing....this year I am roping in a neighbour to help!

BillHadersNewWife · 18/11/2019 20:51

I might have a bag each for DH and I this year too actually.Just because it might be nice for me to have new PJs too!

Cloudyyy · 18/11/2019 20:54

Stockings are upstairs on the fireplace in Mum and Dad’s room. Kids run in first thing in the morning and open them together on the end of the bed.

All other Santa presents are downstairs. Mass opening frenzy for the kids.

Everyone gets all dressed up ready for lunch at home and then big family walk to the pub for a drink after lunch. All home for Christmas films and board games.

3littlemincemeatpies · 18/11/2019 20:58

We do Christmas Eve pyjamas which normally come from the “Christmas Fairy” while they are all in the bath....however this was definitely not a long term tradition as they no longer all fit!!! Grin

I just always say to mine that their Santa letters are just suggestions and they are pretty good at understanding they won’t get everything, some years there is more than other but always a sackful and we have never had any disappointed Christmas mornings...🤞🏻

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livingthegoodlife · 18/11/2019 21:02

Stockings downstairs too. Each child bagsies a sofa by putting their stocking on it.

We also take turns with presents.

Table presents, either have a theme eg all board games, or random or really exciting! Depends on how the mood takes me.

I love our calm Christmas. I spent one Christmas with all the nieces/nephews and it was terrifying. Everyone just unwrapping everything. No-one knew who presents were from. I just sat there paralysed!

TeenPlusTwenties · 18/11/2019 21:03

Stockings left downstairs but DH delivered upstairs 'if they were full when he went to bed'.

Only stockings from Santa, everything else from known people. (Otherwise why does Santa bring rich kids so much and poor kids less? It's continuing inequality).

Presents spread out across the day. Normally a few presents are handed out so everyone has something to open, then we admire them. No frenzies here. Smile

Definitely no trick presents!

Cloudyyy · 18/11/2019 21:06

Does anyone let the kids pick and wrap something to give their parents? If so, do you give these later in the day?

TeenPlusTwenties · 18/11/2019 21:09

Yes, always took the DC to buy something for the other parent. Only small value < ÂŁ5. Given at the same time as other presents, so they are active givers as well as receivers.

3littlemincemeatpies · 18/11/2019 21:34

We haven’t in the past done presents for parents, but my tween girl went out shopping with her friends the day before mother’s day this year, she had £20 to spend and didn’t so much as get me a card. I couldn’t put my finger on why it bothered me so much as I didn’t want anything and DH always buys a card on my behalf from them but I think it was the worry that I wasn’t doing much a very good job of raising her to be thoughtful of others. So this year think, while I don’t particularly want them to spend any money on me in the long run might be good for them to spend a few £s on my and their DF...

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WagtailRobin · 18/11/2019 23:29

Our stockings are hung by the fireplace, that's how it was when my siblings and I were children and that's how it is now.

ALL presents come from Santa (stocking and under the tree). Obviously presents from other people who don't live in the house come from themselves.

As soon as everyone is up we start opening presents, there's no set order, stocking first or tree gifts first it's up to each individual. There is no break between present opening.

We don't really get "dressed up" but we do get dressed for dinner. We have ÂŁ5 or ÂŁ10 scratchcards on the table in Christmas name place holders for every one, and again you can scratch before, during or after the meal, it's not regimental, we do whatever we want.

We don't do "trick" presents, we do lots of "party food" or "nibbles" as you call it Christmas Eve and Christmas night all from M&S and plenty of alcohol, we are mostly drinkers of spirits in my house so it's Gin, Whiskey and Vodka, and every now and then we will make cocktails if anyone fancies.

Basically our Christmas is everything my mum made it for us when we were young, all of those traditions have continued and Christmas is such a big thing in my family.

We do not do "Secret Santa", we do not stop buying for children once they become adults, my siblings all still buy for me and I buy for all of them, we all buy for our nieces and nephews despite the fact some of them are now in their early 20's.

Christmas for us is about fun, my mum still "checks he's been" before allowing me into the living room to my pile of presents, my eldest sibling is nearly 50 and my mum still buys them presents, she buys all of us piles of presents. It is what she did for us as kids and it's what she does for us now. We love it but more importantly she loves it.

Every Christmas I have ever had has been special because of my mum. Do we all go over the top with gifts? Yes. Over the top with sweets and treats? We sure do because that is what we have always known.

My siblings do all the same things with their children, and my mum is now doing it for the grandchildren in the same way she did it and continues to do it for us.

We are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination and we are a massive family but we save from January to make it happen and it is amazing.

dreichwinter · 19/11/2019 03:54

The elves leave on Xmas eve morning and there is a small gift and a note.
Santa brings a stocking left outside bedroom.
Family presents happen after lunch. Everyone in the house has bought something for everyone else.
We take turns opening gifts.
DC have to pay 10% of the cost of their gifts from their pocket money.
We try and keep gift volume down now, it has taken decades to persuade MIL that love really doesn't need to be linked to gift giving and she has calmed down hugely.
It is a lovely and relaxed day.

BillHadersNewWife · 19/11/2019 04:49

DC have to pay 10% of the cost of their gifts from their pocket money.

Hmm

How's that a gift then!?

gothefcktosleep · 19/11/2019 04:59

Thanks for this thread, I am hormonal and the loveliness of it keeps making me well up!

TeenPlusTwenties · 19/11/2019 05:32

3littlemince
The problem is, why should your children give you presents at Christmas. As far as they can see you don't give them presents, because it is all Santa...
But I agree. You and your other half need to model expected behaviour for your birthdays and Mothers/Fathers Day & Christmas. You take them out and teach them to choose/buy, even if you contribute to the presents.

BillHader I'm assuming the '10% of their gifts' means 10% of the price of gifts given by the children to others?
We solved that by making presents from the children low cost.

Chottie · 19/11/2019 05:39

Those of you who tell your children that all the presents are from Santa, does this mean that you personally do not give your children any Christmas presents?

3littlemincemeatpies · 19/11/2019 06:32

@TeenPlusTwenties and @Chottie we give our girls their present from us at the table, in years gone by it’s been toys that they wanted, furyby’s, Barbie sets and that used to be a present that Santa had forgotten, again carrying on the magic throughout the day but as the 3 of them have got older (now 12, 10 and 7) it’s morphed into a present from us and something a bit more grown up and easier to wrap kindles, 1st phones, fitbits etc. I also like to mix it up on value (sentiment as well as value) so we have also done thing like Pony Club memberships and baking subscriptions. I guess it is our part to take the credit for something we gave but I honestly feel no more satisfaction watching them open those than the ones that come from Santa!

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TeenPlusTwenties · 19/11/2019 07:09

Sorry OP. I misunderstood your first post:
Everything comes from Santa in our house, apart from presents from grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. I’m more than happy for Santa to take all the credit...

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 19/11/2019 07:12

I really dislike the notion that everything is from Santa. Children need to learn who has bought the present so they can thank them etc.

3littlemincemeatpies · 19/11/2019 07:17

@thatmustbenigelwiththebrie

Completely disagree!! Smile

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Exp1etiveDeLighted · 19/11/2019 07:27

Stockings on beds here always, there's nothing like the feeling of a full stocking when you wake up. Only small gifts in stockings.

Everything else is from people, not Santa. We don't put presents under the tree as it is in full view of the front room window but bring them out on Christmas Eve and arrange them in piles for each person before bedtime. This used to be after the DCs bedtime but now they are teens they do it. Always put out carrots and mince pies on the hearth for Santa and the reindeer.

Turkey goes in the oven before main present opening, which is not a free for all, we take turns. DCs have been buying for each other, us, grandparents since they were about 7 or 8.

No table presents. No Elves. No matching PJs, no Christmas Eve box.

mumonthehill · 19/11/2019 07:27

Stockings are full of small gifts and dc have always been told that a big present on a list is sent back to us by Santa and we give it. All presents put under the tree on Christmas Eve and stockings put by the fire. Stockings opened as soon as in the morning! We each open our presents to each other afterwards. Christmas tree presents we have in the evening but are often small and fun. Dc now 13 and 19 and they still love the magic!

stridesy · 19/11/2019 07:37

We have our stockings in the front room and we all get one. It’s mainly filled with stuff like sweets, practical things and some silly things. The stocking is from Santa and we all open at the same time.
Presents are from us and I sort of follow the something to read, wear and play with. We open one present more or less at the same time and I sort of have an order in how it’s given out.
I guess I follow what I had as a kid. No one was allowed into the front room until after breakfast, music was on and we all had a drink.

BiddyPop · 19/11/2019 10:28

Stockings downstairs here too.
Stockings have always had fruit as well as sweets in our house, and at least 1 book.

DD is now of an age where Santa is known about, but still comes. She has always had a present under the tree from DH and I, but usually something very practical like useful clothes rather than any magical presents as Santa had always left those in the morning.

The presents under the tree are also opened one-by-one, and later in the day. If we're at home, we do them after we get home from mass and a couple of visits we make, get the turkey in the oven and open a nice drink for everyone (and have some nibbles ready to keep the hunger at bay until dinner time - they act as our starter).

And DD has always bought a present for DH and one for me, getting more involved in choosing (and paying for) them as she got older. Even if she is rubbish at keeping secrets so we both knew for days beforehand what we were getting in those parcels! Xmas Grin So apart from extended family, there have always been a few presents each under the tree to be opened and admired.

In my DPs house, presents are in the late afternoon also. In DPILs house, presents were stacked into your arms as soon as you appeared from a bedroom in the morning, and if you weren't the 1st up, you missed what others had got. But now, they are doing an "after lunch around the tree" thing too, as that is what most of their ILs brought by tradition (and the other DIL was the main driver of the change - not me!! Xmas Grin I am not the dictator - I just went along with what happened in ILs house, and listened to DMIL moan when changes were forced upon her!!! Xmas Grin )

Santa has only ever drunk milk in our house, as he has always been afraid of "drink-flying". But I know lots of houses where he has sherry, Guinness, port, beer, all sorts of other drinks. And one where the DCs firmly believe that water is best and another who leaves the makings of a pot of tea by the fireplace! And similar variations on what snack to eat, and whether the reindeer will get a snack (usually a carrot, but I know at least 1 celery house and 1 brussels sprouts house!).

We have spiced beef as part of our Christmas meats nowadays (sometimes on Christmas Day, others on a day around it - maybe 23rd and have cold slices on 25th) which was not something in my house, but it was in DH's house. DM used to do the ham on Christmas Eve for slicing cold on 25th, but last year was the only year I did a full ham (and never again as it was way too much meat and, while DH can eat some, his skin reacts badly if he eats too much, and it is way too tempting for him).

And there are traditions that we have started in our house, that my DPs and DPILs never had. Like the Christmas Eve hamper (on the way to bed, and apart from PJs, hot choc and bath bombs being new, everything is well loved and used every year - and we actually did all of it anyway before we used to put it in a box, it just made it more special putting it all together). But we don't do Elf on the Shelf (although when DD was smaller, I did occasionally arrange her teddies and dolls into groups of sometimes fun and sometimes slight mischief for her to find when she got home in the evenings - tea parties with the teaset laid out, storytelling sessions with a teddy holding a Christmas book and the rest gathered around, a snowball fight using my cotton wool balls for makeup....maybe 2 or 3 times in total during December).

BiddyPop · 19/11/2019 10:31

One of my own personal traditions, since I was about 16 (as it started with a bottle of Jack Daniels...), has been on a night when the house was quiet (so when DPs were out at Christmas parties and I was babysitting DSiblings, nowadays it's when DH is out at his party), I would make myself a drink, turn out all the lights in the room except for the lights on the Christmas tree, (and the fire might be lit as well many years), and lie on my back on the floor looking up at the tree. It was a time for me to have some peaceful contemplation from a different angle, and think of things in the year gone (both good and bad) reflecting on them, making some plans for the year ahead (not quite NY resolutions) and some general quiet time in a mad hectic house in a particularly mad hectic time.

3littlemincemeatpies · 19/11/2019 10:47

@BiddyPop

We do a satsuma a ÂŁ1 coin and bag of chocolate coins in the bottom of the girls stocking as was already down for me and my siblings...

I absolutely love these simple traditions that are passed on down the generations...Smile

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