Opening presents before Christmas Day

[beanzontoast]

Do you / have you ever opened a Christmas present before Christmas Day? Is it something you believe in or are you against it?

In our case, we never have opened anything before Christmas morning. I have heard of people who are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, but to me this is just wrong.

We like to keep all the surprises intact for the day!

 

[fossyant]

Unless it was deliberately bought early (in our case an Xbox this year) then we don't - Christmas Day or Boxing Day - depending upon which side of the family we are with. This year it's my folks Xmas Day, but my wife's folks on Boxing Day - so presents will be given on Boxing Day on her side - TBH the main reason is it's nicer to see the kids reactions.

 

[snapper_37]

As a child I remember a local bloke used to dress up as Santa and knock our door on Christmas Eve. He would always have a present for us (obviously given to him previously by my mom and dad) and I actually looked forward to that present (and seeing Santa) more than Christmas Day.

Now we still open 1 present each on Christmas Eve although this year will be the first year me and the OH will spend it apart. So I won't be opening any presents until the 28th!!!!

 

[martint235]

For the last two years I've not been allowed to open any presents until about 7pm. For the previous 40 years I regularly opened them at 5am..... I mean 7pm, I can't even read the label by 7pm!!!!

 

[mark barker]

I think kids should wait if you're into the xmas thing, but adults really should be past the excitement of xmas by now.... Wouldn't it be nicer to buy a gift when you see something that the person would like and give it to them then, for no other reason than you love them?

 

[martint235]

but adults really should be past the excitement of xmas by now....

Are you mad??? I still wake up at 5am. I still shake the presents to see if I can guess what it is. The only real difference is that as a kid I didn't get more than a small glass of cherry wine with my dinner.....

 

[Archie_tect]

Do you / have you ever opened a Christmas present before Christmas Day? Is it something you believe in or are you against it?

In our case, we never have opened anything before Christmas morning. I have heard of people who are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, but to me this is just wrong.

We like to keep all the surprises intact for the day!

Not a no-no, more a never-never.

 

[red_tom]

Every year when I was growing up. My maternal Grandmother was Austrian so we had all our presents at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

I swear they had the same Tom and Jerry cartoon on BBC2 at 5.55 each year. Longest. Cartoon. Ever.

 

[beanzontoast]

Are you mad??? I still wake up at 5am. I still shake the presents to see if I can guess what it is. The only real difference is that as a kid I didn't get more than a small glass of cherry wine with my dinner.....

+1. Once wrapped, they stay wrapped at the Beanz house - adults pressies included. Got to keep the mystery going by avoiding guesses too - we hide presents around the house in the runup to the day; that way we don't get to see the shape and size of each others' presents until Christmas morning!

 

[badkitty]

I was just about to launch into a "No - absolutely not until Christmas morning" speech.

Then I remembered that I have in fact already opened one present (and secret santa's dont count).

But can I claim extenuating circumstances because I wont be seeing the person who gave it to me on Christmas Day?

 

[ferret fur]

I don't understand. How can you open your Christmas presents before Christmas Day? Santa won't have been yet and they won't have been delivered

 

[badkitty]

I don't understand. How can you open your Christmas presents before Christmas Day? Santa won't have been yet and they won't have been delivered

Oh ferret, sweet ferret fur, how can I put this?

 

[Arch]

I think if you're seeing the person giving you the present, and won't see them on Xmas day, and they want you to open it, then it's fine. Sometimes you want to see someone's face when they open something...

Otherwise, it'll be stockings for Oli (3) and possibly Max (10 months) first thing on Xmas Day, and then a grand family opening (all taking turns nicely!) about mid morning, once we've finally stopped my Mum remembering just one more thing she needs to do...

(Actually, last year I remember 'mid morning' was actually about 9.30 - having a toddler in the house gets you up early!)

 

[ferret fur]

Oh ferret, sweet ferret fur, how can I put this?

If you're gonna tell me that Father Christmas delivers his presents in the weeks running up to Christmas Day & not overnight then I'm simply not going to believe you. After all the weather has been so atrocious up here in Scotland not even City Link have got through. & before you say anything, my roof still has a good covering of snow and there are no sleigh tracks on it as yet. Conlcusive proof I think, Ms Yuletide Cynic

 

[Salad Dodger]

Office secret santa presents opened on Monday as it was the last day that all ther staff were in before Christmas.

Otherwise I would normally say "no I don't open presents before 25th" - except that my boss warned me that part of the present she gave me needed to be put in the fridge. So I did open it to ensure that the fresh produce did not spoil.....