Years ago, a friend on my homeschooling email list wrote the following:

“I wanted to share with you all something different we’re doing this year.  This was my DH’s idea, and I think its just wonderful!

Every year in the past, our kids just TEAR through their presents on Christmas Day, then they are so dazed and worn out that they don’t appreciate what they got, and they are cranky and ill-behaved, too, from all the “information overload”. Then, too, there is the subsequent let-down as everyone realizes that it’s all over so quickly.

But this year, we are observing the “12 Days Of Christmas” – we are opening 1 or 2 presents each day, beginning on Christmas Day, and ending on Epiphany, which is the feast of the 3 Kings on January 5th. We have a small Bible reading before we open the presents each day, then everyone picks out their presents to open for that day.

The kids have, surprisingly, taken to this idea VERY well! They open that day’s present(s), and spend the day playing nicely with them, then they get to look forward to what’s coming tomorrow! It’s very peaceful and pleasant!

There are few, if any, drawbacks. First, your kids might get you up early for 12 consecutive days (but ours haven’t – by the third day, we had to wake THEM! Second, you have to be patient and set a good example, even if you got your husband a really great gift and you can’t wait to see his face when he opens it!

DH and I think we’re going to do this every year from now on; we’re going to discuss it at our regular family meeting with the kids, to see what they think.”

I thought that this was a very interesting concept. Haven’t tried it yet because we have a large family Christmas every year with people that we might only see once or twice a year. Has anyone done anything like this or have any other suggestions on how to “do” Christmas a different way? I’d love to hear!