Ok I know the answer to this one, it's because I have 5 kids. Can't be simple. So here's the process.
Step 1: Set $ limit
Step 2: Spend it while buying the same # of gifts per child (because we take turns opening gifts, one at a time)
Step 3: cram all gifts in bedroom (in closet, under bed, and under crib until there is an opportunity to sneak them out to wrap them)
Step 4: Decide which gifts are from us and which are from Santa (despite the fact that two children no longer believe)
Step 5: Wrap Santa gifts and "us" gifts in different wrapping paper being very careful to keep the Santa paper hidden at all times
Step 6: Take the "us" gifts that are overflowing in our bedroom and put them under the tree BUT cannot write names on the tags or children will guess the presents are ruin their surprise, so we must come up with a symbol for each child. Soo the oldest has circles on her tags, the next has squares etc....
Step 7: Wait up on Christmas Eve until at least 2:00am to be sure children are asleep before quietly sneaking Santa's gifts out of room and trying to fit them all under the tree.
Please tell me I'm not alone in this insanity. What traditions have you managed to complicate?
Step 1: Set $ limit
Step 2: Spend it while buying the same # of gifts per child (because we take turns opening gifts, one at a time)
Step 3: cram all gifts in bedroom (in closet, under bed, and under crib until there is an opportunity to sneak them out to wrap them)
Step 4: Decide which gifts are from us and which are from Santa (despite the fact that two children no longer believe)
Step 5: Wrap Santa gifts and "us" gifts in different wrapping paper being very careful to keep the Santa paper hidden at all times
Step 6: Take the "us" gifts that are overflowing in our bedroom and put them under the tree BUT cannot write names on the tags or children will guess the presents are ruin their surprise, so we must come up with a symbol for each child. Soo the oldest has circles on her tags, the next has squares etc....
Step 7: Wait up on Christmas Eve until at least 2:00am to be sure children are asleep before quietly sneaking Santa's gifts out of room and trying to fit them all under the tree.
Please tell me I'm not alone in this insanity. What traditions have you managed to complicate?