lfig
Sapphire
Posts: 4,464 Likes: 34,088 
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Post by lfig on Dec 6, 2018 11:02:58 GMT -6
Agree completely about unwrapping gifts being the best part! Unfortunately my child HATES ripping paper. I am not sure if it is the sound or what...but we have to do gift bags or a giant Santa bag. The Santa bag worked great last year and she really enjoyed reaching in and pulling out new things so I think that is what we will do again this year.
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klong11
Ruby
Posts: 15,002 Likes: 86,174
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Post by klong11 on Dec 6, 2018 11:41:22 GMT -6
Growing up we got stockings and 1 unwrapped big gift from Santa. Anything from Santa could be opened before my parents got up, everything else stayed wrapped until it was time for present opening. I think my parents did that so they could sleep in and we wouldn't bother them since we were so busy playing with our gifts from Santa.
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guster
Emerald
Posts: 11,536 Likes: 67,147
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Post by guster on Dec 6, 2018 11:44:53 GMT -6
I’m pretty sure last year we had this same conversation about who doesn’t wrap gifts from Santa, who does, who wraps stocking stuffers, and who doesn’t. 🤣🤣🤣 But seriously, unwrapping gifts was the best part as a child. We definitely did. MigIt might even be the thithird time’re having the conversation! |
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inthekitty
Emerald
My eyes are up here.
Posts: 10,685 Likes: 69,756
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Post by inthekitty on Dec 6, 2018 11:47:26 GMT -6
Growing up we got stockings and 1 unwrapped big gift from Santa. Anything from Santa could be opened before my parents got up, everything else stayed wrapped until it was time for present opening. I think my parents did that so they could sleep in and we wouldn't bother them since we were so busy playing with our gifts from Santa. We couldn't open our gifts but we could go through our stocking. I was always awake insanely early. Now I beat my kids up and can't wait for them to wake up and see their reactions when opening gifts. I wonder this year if they'll finally wake up first. |
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Post by wineallthetime on Dec 6, 2018 11:48:44 GMT -6
Growing up we got stockings and 1 unwrapped big gift from Santa. Anything from Santa could be opened before my parents got up, everything else stayed wrapped until it was time for present opening. I think my parents did that so they could sleep in and we wouldn't bother them since we were so busy playing with our gifts from Santa. We weren't even allowed to go look at the tree until my parents got up! They'd make coffee, turn on the tree lights, ect and then we'd be allowed to come down and see. |
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tallb
Amethyst
Posts: 5,339 Likes: 33,902
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Post by tallb on Dec 6, 2018 11:50:24 GMT -6
Am I the only one that doesn't like the idea of sleeping in and missing out on reactions from santa gifts?! Like I hustle downstairs early so I can video them coming down the stairs. Watching their reactions is basically my Christmas gift.
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vino
Opal
Posts: 9,054 Likes: 56,450
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Post by vino on Dec 6, 2018 11:52:05 GMT -6
Am I the only one that doesn't like the idea of sleeping in and missing out on reactions from santa gifts?! Like I hustle downstairs early so I can video them coming down the stairs. Watching their reactions is basically my Christmas gift. I'm with you. I love seeing their reactions to all the presents, turning on all the lights, handing them out one by one then opening them. love it. |
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Post by xolastunicornxo on Dec 6, 2018 11:52:19 GMT -6
We tell the kids they can’t go downstairs until we’re all up and go down together. So whichever child wakes up first gets everyone up. I love unwrapping presents but I think there is something so magic about seeing some unwrapped gifts that you KNOW weren’t there last night! Then everyone can open stocking while we get coffee and hot chocolate going and then we try to do gifts o e at a time, but it usually end up all the boys opening at the same time and then Shaun and then me. But they still have to pick o e present per turn and can’t get another until everyone has unwrapped.
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klong11
Ruby
Posts: 15,002 Likes: 86,174
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Post by klong11 on Dec 6, 2018 11:55:43 GMT -6
What really sucked was when my brother got to highschool and he started sleeping in AND taking a shower before coming into the living room. Come on!! My parents made us wait for him.
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Post by wineallthetime on Dec 6, 2018 11:56:57 GMT -6
Am I the only one that doesn't like the idea of sleeping in and missing out on reactions from santa gifts?! Like I hustle downstairs early so I can video them coming down the stairs. Watching their reactions is basically my Christmas gift. I'm with you. I love seeing their reactions to all the presents, turning on all the lights, handing them out one by one then opening them. love it. YES! |
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tgrimes
Diamond
Posts: 27,968
Likes: 139,249
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Post by tgrimes on Dec 6, 2018 11:58:45 GMT -6
Am I the only one that doesn't like the idea of sleeping in and missing out on reactions from santa gifts?! Like I hustle downstairs early so I can video them coming down the stairs. Watching their reactions is basically my Christmas gift. Their reactions are the best part! |
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nam2013
Emerald
Posts: 13,885 Likes: 69,375
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Post by nam2013 on Dec 6, 2018 12:02:21 GMT -6
Am I the only one that doesn't like the idea of sleeping in and missing out on reactions from santa gifts?! Like I hustle downstairs early so I can video them coming down the stairs. Watching their reactions is basically my Christmas gift. Nope!!! I want to be the first to come down and then see their little faces. Also I cry, all these little happy faces make me emotional. Same with things like Christmas plays at school. Yup I’m that mom. |
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vino
Opal
Posts: 9,054 Likes: 56,450
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Post by vino on Dec 6, 2018 12:05:53 GMT -6
What really sucked was when my brother got to highschool and he started sleeping in AND taking a shower before coming into the living room. Come on!! My parents made us wait for him. This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... |
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tallb
Amethyst
Posts: 5,339 Likes: 33,902
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Post by tallb on Dec 6, 2018 12:09:35 GMT -6
I'm with you. I love seeing their reactions to all the presents, turning on all the lights, handing them out one by one then opening them. love it. YES! Ha glad I'm not alone. Santa isn't jumping through hoops to miss the best part! |
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tallb
Amethyst
Posts: 5,339 Likes: 33,902
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Post by tallb on Dec 6, 2018 12:10:10 GMT -6
What really sucked was when my brother got to highschool and he started sleeping in AND taking a shower before coming into the living room. Come on!! My parents made us wait for him. This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... Unacceptable with little kids! Maybe with teens.. |
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vino
Opal
Posts: 9,054 Likes: 56,450
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Post by vino on Dec 6, 2018 12:20:10 GMT -6
This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... Unacceptable with little kids! Maybe with teens.. Still not acceptable /gavel It felt like just a regular day and took away form the Christmas spirit , IMO. Of course I was alone on this island cause they were all used to it. |
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guster
Emerald
Posts: 11,536 Likes: 67,147
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Post by guster on Dec 6, 2018 12:32:34 GMT -6
Am I the only one that doesn't like the idea of sleeping in and missing out on reactions from santa gifts?! Like I hustle downstairs early so I can video them coming down the stairs. Watching their reactions is basically my Christmas gift. Same! I think it’s getting cuter and cuter each year. We do stockings last, though— all the super good presents were in there during my tween and teen years. |
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Post by flamingo on Dec 6, 2018 12:45:03 GMT -6
We tell the kids they can’t go downstairs until we’re all up and go down together. So whichever child wakes up first gets everyone up. I love unwrapping presents but I think there is something so magic about seeing some unwrapped gifts that you KNOW weren’t there last night! Then everyone can open stocking while we get coffee and hot chocolate going and then we try to do gifts o e at a time, but it usually end up all the boys opening at the same time and then Shaun and then me. But they still have to pick o e present per turn and can’t get another until everyone has unwrapped. This is what we do, too, and I agree about the display of gifts. Growing up, Santa didn't wrap ours, but he would assemble the big stuff, so it was neat to come in and find the Barbie dream house waiting (or whatever), all ready to be played with. This year, our dilemma is the toy kitchen C is receiving; after much debate we decided it would be dumb to assemble it in FL and then have to get it back to VA, OR have Santa deliver this giant box that she can't actually open. So we decided we will secretly assemble it here and take pictures of it in front of our tree/fireplace or whatever, and leave the photos with a note from Santa explaining that the gift would be waiting for her at home. It'll probably make more of an impression on B but oh well! |
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nam2013
Emerald
Posts: 13,885 Likes: 69,375
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Post by nam2013 on Dec 6, 2018 12:50:40 GMT -6
flamingo you could always wrap a cute little apron, ovenmit and a ladle or something  .
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Post by flamingo on Dec 6, 2018 12:53:18 GMT -6
flamingo you could always wrap a cute little apron, ovenmit and a ladle or something . Yes, she's getting an apron and pots and pans set to go with |
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inthekitty
Emerald
My eyes are up here.
Posts: 10,685 Likes: 69,756
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Post by inthekitty on Dec 6, 2018 13:45:25 GMT -6
What really sucked was when my brother got to highschool and he started sleeping in AND taking a shower before coming into the living room. Come on!! My parents made us wait for him. This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... Wow. Completely unacceptable. 11am is insanely late for...anything. Wow. And if she's going to choose to do that no one should have to wait for her. Will there be anymore Christmas mornings spent there? |
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guster
Emerald
Posts: 11,536 Likes: 67,147
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Post by guster on Dec 6, 2018 13:49:04 GMT -6
This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... Wow. Completely unacceptable. 11am is insanely late for...anything. Wow. And if she's going to choose to do that no one should have to wait for her. Will there be anymore Christmas mornings spent there? I know we talked about this last year too, but unless I am on vacation(and even then I want some kind a separation), I want Christmas morning in our house with just MH and our kids. |
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Post by wineallthetime on Dec 6, 2018 13:50:02 GMT -6
Wow. Completely unacceptable. 11am is insanely late for...anything. Wow. And if she's going to choose to do that no one should have to wait for her. Will there be anymore Christmas mornings spent there? I know we talked about this last year too, but unless I am on vacation(and even then I want some kind a separation), I want Christmas morning in our house with just MH and our kids. +1, but I say this being fortunate to live nearby both of our families so we never have to travel for holidays. |
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guster
Emerald
Posts: 11,536 Likes: 67,147
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Post by guster on Dec 6, 2018 13:58:32 GMT -6
I know we talked about this last year too, but unless I am on vacation(and even then I want some kind a separation), I want Christmas morning in our house with just MH and our kids. +1, but I say this being fortunate to live nearby both of our families so we never have to travel for holidays. We are near-ish my family, but Christmas Eve is my sides holiday so chances are we will see them. MH’s side is far so it’s unlikely unless we decide to vacation for the holiday. |
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vino
Opal
Posts: 9,054 Likes: 56,450
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Post by vino on Dec 6, 2018 14:10:05 GMT -6
This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... Wow. Completely unacceptable. 11am is insanely late for...anything. Wow. And if she's going to choose to do that no one should have to wait for her. Will there be anymore Christmas mornings spent there? Nope. Zero effort is made on her part and I'm past the point of caring. I have no room in my brain, life or task list for 'needy narcissistic weird MIL' |
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vino
Opal
Posts: 9,054 Likes: 56,450
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Post by vino on Dec 6, 2018 14:12:36 GMT -6
Oooh I love a big, messy noisy Christmas morning! Growing up we had all slept over, most of the family of 9 kids and 21 first cousins for me, at my Grandparents farm and it is, by far, my best memories. I wish I could provide that for my kids, but such is life and I create good memories for them in other ways.
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trtlcrzy
Moderator 
Posts: 10,085 Likes: 58,458
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Post by trtlcrzy on Dec 6, 2018 20:01:34 GMT -6
What really sucked was when my brother got to highschool and he started sleeping in AND taking a shower before coming into the living room. Come on!! My parents made us wait for him. This is the worst. The last Christmas we went to MH's family, his Mom stayed up until 2am wrapping and putzing around the house Christmas Eve, and we had to wake her lazy ass up before we could do presents, it was near 11am before she waltzed into the living room and she was moaning and groaning cause she was 'tired'....gah I really dislike that lady... Fuck that. I would have opened gifts without her. She wants to sleep in, that’s her loss. |
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trtlcrzy
Moderator
Posts: 10,085 Likes: 58,458
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Post by trtlcrzy on Dec 6, 2018 20:03:20 GMT -6
Oooh I love a big, messy noisy Christmas morning! Growing up we had all slept over, most of the family of 9 kids and 21 first cousins for me, at my Grandparents farm and it is, by far, my best memories. I wish I could provide that for my kids, but such is life and I create good memories for them in other ways. I also think it would be fun to have everyone together on Christmas morning to open gifts. I love doing things with my nuclear family but I feel like holidays are for spending time with extended family. |
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Post by flamingo on Dec 6, 2018 20:14:47 GMT -6
Oooh I love a big, messy noisy Christmas morning! Growing up we had all slept over, most of the family of 9 kids and 21 first cousins for me, at my Grandparents farm and it is, by far, my best memories. I wish I could provide that for my kids, but such is life and I create good memories for them in other ways. I also think it would be fun to have everyone together on Christmas morning to open gifts. I love doing things with my nuclear family but I feel like holidays are for spending time with extended family. Yep--I prefer the loud, rambunctious family holiday, too. We have done a quiet one at my ILs and it is kind of miserable to me; granted, this was pre-kids, but we opened gifts on Christmas Eve and had the big meal then so Christmas day was very anti-climactic. We grew up with big, noisy holiday gatherings and I have the best memories from them; I love looking back at pics or home movies and seeing everyone who has since passed away. My parents would always host Christmas brunch since we were the only kids in the family, so the whole family came to that and we'd exchange gifts afterwards, then all go to my grandmother or aunt's for dinner. This is why we are loading back in the car and heading south this year; we thought about staying put up here after the T'giving travel but I just didn't want to be away from everyone. |
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Sunny41
Sapphire
Posts: 4,704 Likes: 22,250
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Post by Sunny41 on Dec 6, 2018 20:31:58 GMT -6
We tell the kids they can’t go downstairs until we’re all up and go down together. So whichever child wakes up first gets everyone up. I love unwrapping presents but I think there is something so magic about seeing some unwrapped gifts that you KNOW weren’t there last night! Then everyone can open stocking while we get coffee and hot chocolate going and then we try to do gifts o e at a time, but it usually end up all the boys opening at the same time and then Shaun and then me. But they still have to pick o e present per turn and can’t get another until everyone has unwrapped. This is what we do, too, and I agree about the display of gifts. Growing up, Santa didn't wrap ours, but he would assemble the big stuff, so it was neat to come in and find the Barbie dream house waiting (or whatever), all ready to be played with. This year, our dilemma is the toy kitchen C is receiving; after much debate we decided it would be dumb to assemble it in FL and then have to get it back to VA, OR have Santa deliver this giant box that she can't actually open. So we decided we will secretly assemble it here and take pictures of it in front of our tree/fireplace or whatever, and leave the photos with a note from Santa explaining that the gift would be waiting for her at home. It'll probably make more of an impression on B but oh well! We are leaving town friday and returning Christmas afternoon. I am making a lego table from Santa and it will be here as a surprise when we get home because it was too large to leave at grandma's. But everything else Santa will leave at my mil tree. |
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