Christmas Presents, Part 2

[Dan Gould]

Really as far back as I can remember, its always been quite civilized in my house-one at a time (sometimes two if Dad felt things were dragging) so that each gift got its moment in the sun.

[sheldonm]

It's a combination of the two in our house as there are about 25 family members in attendance. We usuall pass out the gifts and try to start with one person, then the next. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I like trying to slow it down a little, it's nice to see someones reaction to a gift you may have put much time into finding/buying rather than setting a record for how quickly they can be opened.

[Rooster_Ties]

My family always went around the room, and each person got to open ONE present, and then show everyone what it was. Then the next person opens ONE item, and shows it around. And so on, repeating until all presents are open. (The “go around in a circle multiple times” method.)

But my WIFE'S family, however, is totally different -- and it drives me up a wall!!! (something I've never told my wife either, by the way).

ONE person is designated to open up ALL their presents, showing what they got after each present is opened (up to 10 or 15 total presents per person). Then the next person opens ALL of their presents (again, another 10 or 15 presents). Then the next person ALL of theirs, and so on.

SO, the last person to open their presents has to wait for like up to 30 minutes while everyone else opens theirs.

Maybe part of it is that it's different than what my family did. But part of it is that I just plain think it's annoying for the people at the end of the line. We're talking a minimum of 6 or 8 people (maybe up to 10 people), when spouses and other extended family are included.

But I always suffer silence.

[Dan Gould]

I agree, Rooster, it sounds pretty bad.

Not only do I like the one-by-one method, but I also like the personal delivery we do at our house, no piles of packages, ours are hand-delivered.

Can anyone tell I've gotten into the Christmas spirit?

[sheldonm]

I live Christmas!

[vibes]

We always went around the room, with each person opening one gift, showing everyone, and then moving on to the next person. I've always hated this, and unfortunately, my wife prefers to do things this way as well. I'd much prefer to have everyone tear into everything at once. I mean, really, why should I give a rat's ass about what everyone else is getting?

[Jazzmoose]

We do it that way as well, vibes, but I like it. Of course, with just the two of us, we have to do it that way in order to stretch it out a bit...

[jacman]

i voted for the orgy of paper...i have 2 kids.

if it was up to me, we'd open them one at a time, throughout the day, and savor each and every one. doubt that'll happen anytime soon.

[connoisseur series500]

Our family tears into the presents like wolves into a Moose carcass (er, sorry Moose).

[Jazzmoose]

Not a pretty picture!

[Jim Alfredson]

My family was always about just tearing in, all at once. I grew up with 6 siblings, so having nine people open presents one after another would get pretty tedious pretty quick.

In fact, I had never experienced anything like that (one person opens, shows it around, then another, etc) until I met my wife. That's exactly what her family does and it takes FOREVER!!!!!! That drives me up the wall (opposite of Rooster) but I don't say anything about it.

Different strokes for different folks...

[RDK]

It usually starts with the personal exchanges - the oohing and aahing and all that - then quickly turns into an orgy.

Yep, Christmas is much like a porn film...

[Jazzmoose]

Gotta get one of those cheesy 70's soundtracks to play this year...