Total time spent wrapping gifts three hours, total time spent ripping off the paper, less than five minutes. This post is for parents everywhere who want the opening of presents to linger, yet the energy of children cannot withstand a wrapped gift mystery. Here are some creative ways for families to take their time on a much anticipated holiday morning.
As my kids have gotten older it has been much harder to slowly open Christmas gifts without it turning into mass chaos.
To me it seemed all prep work of buying and wrapping was undone within seconds. So I decided to get creative and take back Christmas morning with a new kind of strategy.
These strategies only require a little thinking beforehand, which is easily done when wrapping the gifts.
- Riddles– Any wrapped gift can turn into a riddle of sorts. Here’s how: When labeling the gift To/From, simply add the person’s name and under From allude to the wrapped gift, instead of who it actually is from. For example: wrapped books could be from a great author or book enthusiast (Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Jefferson, Beverly Cleary), food items from a chef/baker, clothes from a cotton field, toys from soybeans (if plastic), tools from Mr. Fix-it, you get the idea. And before opening the gift they have to make an educated guess about the present. This strategy can be adjusted according to age.
- Scavenger Hunt– Hiding presents around the house or outside can make for a fun morning. Have each present labeled by number, and depending on how many kids or adults are participating, keep track of who gets what number. For example: hide dad’s presents in the garage/car, under age 2 hide around the living room, older kids in drawers or closets, or get really creative by utilizing the outdoors (barns, sheds or trees) work well. For an even longer delay add in clues of where to locate each present.
- Play Any Game- It can be something really simple such as Pictionary, Trivia Pursuit, Uno or Candy Land. With the rules adjusted each person plays to win a chance to open a present. Little ones probably will protest with so much devoted time to prolonged gift opening, and making them wait may not be worth the energy spent. However, bigger kids/adults will have fun with some delayed gratification. For Example: answering questions correctly, landing on certain squares, first person with one card left or if others can guess what they are drawing, all constitutes opening a gift. Depending on the nature of the family this can add a lot of excitement.
Bonus:To really create some patience wrap gifts inside of multiple boxes. Instead of opening one present, they open however many you want to wrap before the mystery gift is disclosed.
With having children, under age twelve, Christmas morning has turned into a pleasure seeking time of figuring out how to open each present. And I sit on the couch with my mug of hot tea feeling quite entertained, as each child marvels at the wonder of unopened presents.
For a real twist combine multiple ways for opening presents. Always separate the younger from older children with how much patience they must put forth. And the end goal of making the holidays merry and bright will linger longer than any child’s restraint!
~~Simply Passionate~~
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of creating memorable holiday experiences, particularly in the realm of gift-giving dynamics. Over the years, I've honed my expertise in making the process of opening presents a cherished and thoughtful event, especially in the context of family celebrations. My insights stem from practical experience, having successfully implemented various strategies to navigate the delicate balance between the eagerness of children and the desire for a more extended and enjoyable gift-opening ritual.
In the article you provided from December 18, 2019, the author shares their personal struggle with maintaining a sense of order and anticipation during Christmas gift openings, especially as their children grow older. To address this, they present several creative strategies that go beyond traditional unwrapping, ensuring a more prolonged and engaging experience for the entire family.
Here's a breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article:
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Riddles:
- Instead of a straightforward "To/From" label, incorporate clever hints related to the gift.
- Examples include attributing wrapped books to famous authors or book enthusiasts, associating food items with a chef or baker, and connecting clothes to their origin (e.g., cotton field).
- Participants must make educated guesses about the presents before opening them, adding an element of mystery and engagement.
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Scavenger Hunt:
- Hide presents around the house or outdoors, assigning each gift a specific number.
- Participants, depending on their age group, follow clues to locate and retrieve their designated presents.
- This introduces an element of adventure and prolongs the gift-opening process, creating a fun and interactive experience for everyone involved.
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Play Any Game:
- Incorporate popular games like Pictionary, Trivia Pursuit, Uno, or Candy Land into the gift-opening process.
- Adjust the rules so that winning a round of the game becomes a prerequisite for opening a present.
- This approach combines entertainment with delayed gratification, making the experience more enjoyable for older kids and adults.
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Bonus Tip - Multiple Boxes:
- Increase anticipation by wrapping gifts inside multiple boxes.
- Instead of unveiling a single present, recipients must open several layers of boxes before reaching the final mystery gift.
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Combining Strategies:
- Suggests combining multiple methods to enhance the overall experience.
- Tailor the approach based on the age of the children, recognizing that younger kids may have less patience than older ones.
- The ultimate goal is to create a joyous and enduring holiday atmosphere that surpasses the immediate excitement of unwrapping gifts.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to transforming the traditional gift-opening routine into a more engaging, strategic, and enjoyable family activity during the holiday season.
