Christmas guests

[Justbenice1]

We are having a few friends and family staying for Christmas (adults). Would you say it is reasonable to expect guests to get up with the host family on Christmas morning when the family get up so we all get to do presents together rather than miss that bit and just get up when breakfast is served?

What does everyone think? I'm undecided. All the other days I certainly think people can stay in as long as they like but Christmas morning is special for the family... Surely the guests would want to join in (and help with breakfast prep) on the one day?

All opinions welcome

And we will do his stocking first but I expect that’ll put things off by an hour, tops. Yes, we could then wait to open the rest but none of us want to,

We also do stockings first and presents later in the day. It avoids these issues completely.

I'll have quite a few guests staying for Christmas.

I will be serving them all breakfast.

It wouldn't occur to me to suggest opening presents before breakfast.

All the DC will open their stockings as soon as they wake - if anyone wants to get up and watch they are welcome, but it isn't a requirement.

Other presents will be opened mid-morning (may save some until after lunch too).
I would assume that everyone would be sitting round for that.

I think if you want everyone present (ha ha) to open presents, then you need to do it at a reasonable time - couldn't it be 9am?

Could there be a reason they're not keen to join? Wanting to leave you to the "family" stuff, sad they're not with their own family (even though you're being v kind), lost someone so don't feel like they can join in with the little one & not bring down the tone of excitement.

No, there's no emotional reason, just don't want to get out of bed...

Hmm, this is our family routine though. So my choice is, change our routine (it's this way as there are other things we do like a walk and other visitors etc) to fit the guest or just do presents without them and let them join later...

Thanks everyone. I think we'll just stick with our routine and they can join in with the bits they want to. [santa]

Just to add, they have been to ours for Christmas for the last 5 years or so. It's nothing new, they've always joined in in the morning before.

Your thoughts have been very helpful though. I'll leave it be and not think about it anymore. Thank you

Will the guest have presents to open/to give? Perhaps they would feel awkward around everyone getting/giving gifts when they weren't participating in the exchange.

Let them get up when they want, enjoy your Christmas regardless.

Who wouldn't want to get up and see the joy of an 8 year old seeing Santa has been and opening their presents??

Me.

Why do presents need to be opened at the crack of dawn if there are no kids?

we will have kids but in our family Father Christmas brings stockings for everyone (stockings contain useful things like pants and socks, a few silly things, one wishlist item, and books) and everyone is allowed to open those without getting out of bed as soon as they wake up. Main present opening around the tree is done much later, with drinks and nibbles, just before lunch is served.

other families I know reserve present opening for after the Queen's Speech.

I think its unreasonable to enforce a universal getting up time on Christmas Day if there are are no kids in the house.

it's also unreasonable fir breakfast to be anything that requires preparation sufficient that anyone should feel that 'help' is needed. exciting brunch recipes don't belong on a day when there's going to be a big roast lunch.

I think its unreasonable to enforce a universal getting up time on Christmas Day if there are are no kids in the house

But there are kids in the house.

I would love to be made part of it- I would just feel out of place is I hadn't been specifically invited as direct family time is understandable too

How about stockings before breakfast, and other presents after? I know it’s not you tradition, @Justbenice1, but is it a small enough change that you could cope?

Yes I'd definitely let them get on with it. Maybe see it as them feeling comfortable enough in your house not to feel they have to get up when they'd rather have an extra hour in bed. Keep any presents to & from them until they wake up & want to join in. My BIL used to be like this. My SIL always got up (wanted to) so we'd just leave him. Not changing plans but also not making him join in where he clearly didn't want to. They thankfully don't come to stay now (but that's an entirely different story!)

I'd never expect guests to be up for an early breakfast on Chr. day! Have a heart and let them have a bit of a lie in!

We have a late breakfast, and dinner around 5 - any young children staying (like Gdcs last year) will of course be up early - their parents will give them an earlier breakfast and witness the opening of stockings.

We don't start opening most presents until around 11 - with Bucks Fizz - and not all the children's presents are from Santa anyway - they have to wait a bit to open the non Santa ones. I really dislike the 'everything from Santa' idea anyway.

Ah, you are very polite OP, I think as you say just have them included in things that they want to be. Less stress for you all then.

I think if you gave guests you might have to accept doing things differently.
I’d let the kids do stockings with you maybe in bed on your own.
Then they’ll wait.
I’d do a formal breakfast at 9ish after or during presents can be opened all together.
Proceed as jot all through to lunch.

You’re not running a hotel yeah but if you’re hosting you should it well.
I’d feel very uncomfortable getting up and helping with breakfast on a Christmas Day. Everyone has there own way of doing things, fridges are full to bursting and I certainly wouldn’t want to help myself. Don’t mind washing up or an actual job or keeping glasses topped up but I hate people in my kitchen do I wouldn’t be helping in yours.

I have sat awkwardly while a family open heir Christmas gifts to each other. It’s not fun and to be honest I find it a bit awkward.