Community Chat

[kingtut]

HI -- I have a question about how you opened presents on Christmas and even how they were displayed under the tree.

In my family they were randomly put under the tree and I think each person opened one or two and then the next present for another person, etc. Of course the children had more than the adults but we all opened them sort of in turn.

At my brother's home after he was married, the tree was set up very elaborately with a village beneath it and the gifts were put in piles separate for each person. First there was the little girl and then perhaps my brother and then his wife and then her mother and then I think the cat and last me. By the time they got to me my SIL usually decided she had had enough and went out to the kitchen to cook -- felt that was very rude -- especially since I only had a very few presents -- mostly bought at outlet stores -- didnt need towels every year -- guess a woman gets home things.

I don't know what would have happened if a gift was missplaced and opened our of order -- I think the world would come to an end or at least my SIL would sulk the rest of the day. I felt Christmas was choreographed by her and you better behave.

Also until my niece was a teenager and her BF moved in, we never were allowed to eat until all the presents were open. I used to bring a care package and eat a snack inprivate.

Of course even the child was lprogramed never to get up before about 10 AM == no 6 or 7 oclock for them.

Wondered which way is the norm? Tjey also had ham for Christmas -- yuck. And I was there because after my mother died they were my only relatives.