Kids Opening Presents on Christmas: Gift Opening Etiquette
Last Christmas my almost 4-year-old embarrassed me to no end with her gift opening etiquette. We don’t do many gifts in our house, so I sort of felt like Lily just didn’t have practice. She would rip open the gift and then say “what’s next?” I had talked with her ahead of time about how to say thank you after opening each present. I said, “Make sure you give hugs and be gracious to the person who gave you the present.” Did my pep talk help? No. Maybe you’ve been there before. Or maybe you’re worried it will happen to your kids opening presents this holiday season. Let me tell you how I plan to address gift opening this year with these rules.
Rule 1: One present at a time
We usually let one person at a time open a present. This is an important rule for children to understand each gift means something in and of itself. It makes everyone focus on what each present is and think about why the person who gave the gift might have chosen it. It also gives your child the stage for a bit so they pay more attention to what they are actually opening; all eyes are on them.
Rule 2: You can’t open the next gift until thank yous are completed
The “What’s next” question really bothers me because it implies the child is ungrateful for the gift they already have, they’re just looking for something better. So this year, after one gift is open, appropriate thanks must be given to the giver of the gift before the next gift is opened. Appropriate thank yous involve eye contact, full sentences: “Thank you for the …” and maybe even hugs.
Rule 3: If there is any complaining about a gift you have received, it is taken away.
I haven’t had to deal much with complaining in regards to gifts, but I do know it’s likely to happen this year as my children experience a little more sibling rivalry than when they were younger. I can almost hear my daughter saying, “But I didn’t get as fun of a present as Nick. Mine was just clothes.” There is nothing that grinds my gears more than entitlement. If one of my kids complains about a gift, or heaven forbid, throws a tantrum over not getting something they wanted, I plan to take away that present for at least a week.
You want your kids opening presents to elicit excitement and spark that Christmas magic to spread across their faces. All too often, our picturesque gift opening is tainted by rude behavior and your kids embarrass you with bad manners. Set these rules ahead of time with your kids opening presents and follow through; gracious and polite behavior is rudimentary in teaching your children to be good people. Christmastime is no exception.
The best gifts under the tree.
On a lighter note, I want to welcome you to tour my holiday home if you haven’t already. Come check out all the DIY decor and inspirational ideas for Christmas, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas this Sunday!
