Christmas morning can be filled with joy, festivity… and chaos! Here are some tricks to help things run smoothly.
Jump Start Breakfast. . .
- Prepare food the night before (e.g. an overnight casserole, coffee cake, cut up fruit…)
- Set up the coffee so you can get it brewing quickly
- Set out paper products for a quick clean-up
Get Ready for Christmas Dinner. . .
- Chop and pre-measure ingredients
- Set the table (linens, place settings, serving bowls, utensils, and candles/centerpieces)
- Install extra table leaves and gather extra chairs/high chairs, as needed
- Delegate last minute tasks in advance (e.g. pouring wine, lighting candles, tossing the salad, etc.)
Set the Scene Around the Tree. . .
- Have a playlist or station ready to go for background music
- If applicable, set up the fireplace so all you need to do is light a match
- Place helpful supplies nearby (e.g. trash bags, scissors, recycle/reuse bins, batteries, small screwdrivers)
- Provide paper and pencils for those who wish to record gifts received
- Consider assembling complicated gifts ahead of time so they are ready to be played with
Alleviate the Anticipation. . .
- Agree in advance what time the “festivities” will begin
- Consider allowing small children to open one gift on Christmas Eve
- Hang a stocking with a small distraction (e.g. a puzzle, book, bag of cheerios) on the doorknob of each child’s bedroom to keep them busy while waiting
Prepare to Photograph. . .
- Charge all cameras/camcorders/phones in advance
- Have extra memory sticks ready to go
- Set up a tripod, if desired
- Decide if, when, and where a group photo will be taken
- Consider designating one person to collect, upload and share photos (e.g. via an app or photo book)
Calm the Chaos. . .
- Open gifts one at a time, from youngest to oldest
- Designate a location for gift cards, checks, and small items so they don’t get accidentally thrown away
- Keep all candy up off the floor, out of the reach of pets
- Move stockings away from a lit fireplace so the contents won’t melt
- Check the inside of all boxes and bags before trashing/recycling them
* * * * *
Merry Christmas to all… and to all a peaceful day!
Absolutely perfect advice, Seana and cannot thank you enough. Merry Christmas to you and your family now, too!!
I can imagine the fun scene that will be unfolding at your house on Christmas morning. May you, your husband, and the princesses have a wonderful day indeed!
Love it! These are all so practical. I especially like the tip about designating a special location for gift cards. How terrible for them to get thrown away along with the gift wrap!
I typically put the “money” items upon the mantle… and right away. They can disappear into a pile of paper in no time, right? I can imagine a fun scene over at your house on Friday morning – wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas, Nina!
I always had a little basket — the gift tags for items that would require a thank you note went into it, with a reminder jotted on the back of what the item was. Gift cards could go in there too.
That’s a great idea, Carolyn! Simple, quick, and functional. A wonderful tip – thanks for sharing:)
We have Christmas at my parent’s house and they start breakfast the night before. It’s all prepped and ready for the oven when we start getting ravenous!
And of course, I’m the one with all the camera equipment ready.
I bet you could give me all kinds of tips about getting great photos on Christmas morning, Tamara! Love waking up to a yummy smell:)
As usual Seana, great tips for keeping us organized and away from unnecessary stress. I’m gonna use several of your tips this holiday season. Thank you for sharing
Feliz Navidad, Nacho! Thank you for commenting and sharing YOUR wisdom all year long. I hope you and your family enjoy a beautiful holiday and joyful launch into 2016!
Love that tip about pet safety and keeping the candy off the floor! Such a detailed list to keep us all on track! Merry Christmas!!
I find most accidents take place when we are out of our regular routine, and I’m afraid I’ve learned the hard way on both the pets and the melted stocking candy!
Great ideas Seana! I especially love the set the scene around the tree advice. We try to get up a few minutes early.It’s funny because he’s actually slept in before and we were up an hour waiting! lol
Am I the only one who likes to open all of the family presents on Christmas Eve and the open Santa’s presents on Christmas morning?
I love the idea of gifts on Christmas Eve and Santa gifts on Christmas morning. Makes a lot of sense. It is so interesting to hear about everyone’s traditions. I never had the luck of waiting for my children — my oldest, especially, was up in the dark. Have a wonderful, blessed, and peaceful Christmas, Autumn. Sending much love:)
LOVE THIS LIST SO HARD!!! Every year I say Im going to start Christmas breakfast the night before, and I never do… THIS YEAR!!! lol – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
You go, Gingi! It really does make the morning a little less stressful. Merry, merry Christmas to you and your family:)
Now you just need to share easy overnight recipe ideas.. hehe.. – htttp://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Ha ha, Gingi! This is where I turn to Pinterest!!
Wishing you a very merry – and peaceful – Christmas, Seana!
You too, Janet! Sending you wishes for a wonderful holiday, and a chance to rest and refresh:)
Love these tips — especially the Christmas morning breakfast routine. It’s SO helpful to have something prepped in advance when the little ones are excitedly digging through gifts!
Totally agree, Blair. Christmas has plenty of activity to keep a Mom occupied1 The last thing kids want is Mom working away in the kitchen while they are waiting to open gifts:)
Seana, you offer wonderful and timeless tips here. I love the idea of hanging a small stocking on each child’s door knob and having a dedicated place to hold gift cards, cash, and checks. There were a couple of frantic Christmas days when we had to go looking back through the recycling for the misplaced (accidentally thrown out) item.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. I look forward to reading and commenting on more marvelous posts from you in 2021
I’ve definitely had the “looking through the trash” moment, and it isn’t a good feeling. Now we put gift cards up on the mantle. It isn’t hard, but handy to think of ahead of time. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Diane!
We don’t celebrate Christmas, but I can am in awe of the various organizing details that go into creating a Christmas morning that runs smoothly. I can imagine all of the excitement, wonderful scents, glittering surfaces, and warmth that comes from having your loved ones together on this special day. I know it will be very different for families this year as many stay in place to keep people safe. Gatherings will be smaller or perhaps virtual. But I know they will be special. And your list will help people not just this season but for many seasons to come. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
I think the same attention to detail is helpful for all large celebrations, especially when little ones will be opening gifts. It is easy to lose track of things when multiple people are around doing simultaneous things, right? Hope you had a wonderful Hanukah celebration and will get to enjoy some downtime, especially looking at our pretty snowfall:)
These are all great ideas. If followed it will be a smooth Christmas. We usually have a pretty calm day and when gathering with family we always share the meal preparation so it make it easy. I love a good Christmas breakfast casserole!
I love a breakfast casserole as well, Janet. In fact, I’ll be heading out later today to get the supplies! Merry, Merry Christmas:)
I love that you added charge cameras. =) That is one of the things we would always forget when the kids were little. Now with the phone nearby at all times, it is a lot easier. Thanks for sharing these amazing sanity-saving tips for Christmas.
Inevitably the “nice” cameras are out of battery when the moment arises. Phones are definitely easier because we are more mindful about making sure they are charged. Wishing you a very, merry Christmas Sabrina!
Although I don’t celebrate Christmas, I’ve seen a LOT of Christmas movies, and I always imagine that the real thing is quite a bit more hectic. You’ve mapped out the perfect way to have a peaceful holiday morning while keeping the joy in the day!
Christmas morning, especially if you happen to have a bunch of little ones, can be chaotic. Typically, it is Mom who ends up having to hunt through the trash for missing gifts, while also feeding everyone and cleaning up the mess. A bit of advance prep can make all the difference, as with so many other aspects of life!
Seana,
I think you’ve done this before! What a great list. Much of it can be used for any celebration.
How are you spending Christmas this year?
Yes, this is good for any big event where people gather, special food is served, and gifts are exchanged! I’ll be home this year, just like the majority of people. Doing my part to avoid the spread of infection. But, I have a warm house and a pretty, snowy scene out my window, so it’s all good. Hope you get a chance to relax and see some loved ones, Ronni!
Hi Seana,
I love this list! Great idea about the playlist – I am definitely doing that this year. And also the point about the starting time. It’s funny how when the kids were little they were the ones waking me up and now I am the one waking them up! Happy holidays!
I’ve had the exact same situation, Neena. We are waiting for the young adults to get up!
Super list, Seana, I’m going to save these strategies for next time when I hope things are back to normal!
Yes, for many this year is a bit earlier. Others have more people around who have been quarantining and learning from home. Whatever your situation is, I wish you a wonderful Christmas and restful holiday!