JFF - Christmas Morning Planning Advice

Before we unwrap presents, each person gets a basket and as they unwrap the gift goes into the basket. We also set up a garbage bag for the wrapping paper. So after we're all done, everything is somewhat organized.

We had a mini Christmas two months ago.

I had EVERYTHING planned out. Food was ready to go. CD was in the player (Directv didn't have Christmas music on yet) and I had the camera battery charged and had the lens cover OFF.

The BEST part was surprising my "Bonus Mom" and our son because they knew NOTHING about our plans. I wanted her first Christmas without her husband to not suck so a surprise Christmas was the way to go. She lives in Phoenix and was back here to spread his ashes so I took advantage of the time she was with us. It was AWESOME because she was SPEECHLESS. That woman is NEVER speechless. SCORE! :)

Not us... I try to keep those toys boxed as long as possible.. so I can return them :) (not the ones we bought, but the ones from grandparents and such)

But on the big toys that we intend to keep, then yes, putting them together is a great idea, like if it's a tricycle or something.

What we do though, is use reusable bags and boxes. My sister even sewed a lot of really cute little drawstring bags out of pretty Christmas fabric we reuse. Reduces all of the wasted wrapping and wrapping paper.

Where were you about 6 or 7 yrs ago when my kids were little w/ this advice!!??? LOL...sounds like a great idea! Enjoy!

figure out breakfast. make sure you have EVERYTHING. nothing is open-so picking up bagels/donuts/mc donald's/cream for coffee is not an option.

I usually do an egg bake and all I have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning. I assemble most toys ahead of time if needed. I have scissors and a garbage bag sitting out by the Christmas tree for easy clean up.

I love the responses so far! The only thing I have to contribute is this:

Before my children were born, we had a neighbor family in which the dad was a doctor. He had to make his hospital rounds every morning, holiday or not, and he couldn't always estimate when he'd be back home, so they did their Christmas present time in the afternoon. I immediately thought, "What a great idea!" So we instituted that when our children were old enough to celebrate Christmas.

They did the stocking thing first thing in the morning, and spent the rest of the morning playing with their new toys. We had our Christmas dinner in early to mid-afternoon, and then unwrapped the presents under the tree (somehow they'd remain relatively unmolested). It was a good plan because it kept everyone busy and happy; it made the whole day Christmas-y, without any letdown of "Well, what do we do *now*?"

We also put toys together the night before so the children could enjoy them right away. I remember that my dad did the same when I was little.

Our Christmases are never relaxing or calm, LOL, but one thing I do each year (unless we're traveling) is to have a simple, hot breakfast planned. Could be oatmeal cooked with raisin, brown sugar and apples or a casserole that can be popped into the oven before the carnage ensues... I mean before the presents are opened and we go off to visit various family members.

Each year, by the way, I plan to have presents wrapped in advance. Last year we did have some done, but still spent *hours* wrapping on Christmas Eve. My husband and I took shifts sleeping, it was that crazy. (We didn't spend a lot of money, but there were a LOT of small gifts.) So I'm pulling for you to be more successful in this than I have been.

one year when we knew my son was getting alot of toys that needed batteries....we bought tons of batteries and put them in a shoe box and wrapped it. another gift and batteries ready to go. just be careful that box will be very very heavy!! my son thought that was a neat gift!!

I get up super early (before kids) and have coffee going, hot-cocoa ready, Christmas music in the DVD player, get Santa present around the tree and fill the stockings. I pre-make a breakfast casserole so I don't spend my time in the kitchen. When I am getting stocking stuff unloaded from shopping I get a bag for each person and put their stuff into it and label the bag so it's easy in the am.
Then I go back to bed and pretend I am asleep so the boys get to wake me up with their squeels of delight that Santa has come!!!

Homemade cinnamon rolls. I make them the night before and put them in the refrigerator. They rise overnight and are ready to bake in the morning. It's become a tradition. (And a yummy one!)

what I remember from my childhood christmas is that we did spend the rest of the day putting together the new toys - and we LOVED it!!!!
at least when they are a bit older they will enjoy to achieve something that is a little tricky and that takes patience.

thanks for all the other ideas - didn't think of breakfast yet.