We’re the same as @abasket. No gifts under the tree ever until DS was asleep. The magic happened while he slept. That’s the way it was when I was growing up, too. No presents until Santa made his visit in the dead of night. Going to bed with nothing under the tree to waking up to lots of beautifully wrapped boxes was a breathtaking Christmas miracle. I believed in Santa Claus for a long, long time. Our son was more practical and stopped believing way too early, but DH told him privately that his mom still believed so please don’t ruin it for her.
10 Likes
Gifts from extended family members, friends, and mom & dad were under the tree from whenever they were received/arrived in the mail (or wrapped by my mother). All of those were opened on Christmas Eve. Only gifts from Santa (plus the stocking being filled) arrived on Christmas morning. Gifts from Santa were not wrapped.
We initially did this with our son, but when he stopped believing in Santa, he wanted to wait and open everything Christmas morning.
I’ve known some people that allow one gift to be opened on Christmas Eve
5 Likes
We open our Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve, plus one gift if my kids ask.
When I was young we opened all presents on Christmas Eve. I don’t know why, but we were poor so in my family, Santa wasn’t even talked about. I guess maybe to not get our hopes up. I can’t really remember any of the gifts I got for Christmas except for the toy Winchester rifle I got when I was five (I’ve been a tomboy all my life with some mildly feminine phases now and then).
My DH was one of eight and remembers getting a used bowling ball for Christmas one year 
.
My mom went to work when we got older, and the Christmas experience improved, but by then the Santa thing didn’t apply. My love language is gift giving and I go overboard. I can’t wait til Christmas Eve to put the gifts out! My husband took over the Santa role and got the kids one big gift each that came from Santa that was unwrapped and under the tree Christmas morning. He also still leaves a note from Santa on the counter in what he considers “Santa handwriting.” He’s been known to throw out glitter on the back deck and leave little hoof prints out there.
7 Likes
Santa also had his own dedicated gift wrapping paper, and each kid got one big gift that didn’t get wrapped at all (things like a dollhouse).
I miss those days. Right now, the only thing under our Christmas tree is the cat…sometimes (see pic above).
6 Likes
My husband liked to do special Santa wrap too. It wasn’t a “rule” for me, but I tried to respect his wishes.
2 Likes
We used to do the special Santa wrap, Santa tags, Santa pen/writing too, along with no gifts under the tree until xmas morning. Now that there are no more little people in our family I’ve stopped that stuff and everything is already under the tree. Well, everything but the dog’s gifts because he snoops out his stuff ; ). If we are ever fortunate enough to have grandchildren, we’ll go back to that!
4 Likes
We put other gifts under the tree, but Santa gifts and usually mom/dad gifts only got put there xmas eve. I still remember one xmas morning when D said “Mom, look! Santa has the same wrapping paper as we do!”. Oops…
4 Likes
The last few years, we’ve enjoyed going through this neighborhood in. Greensboro. @abasket these are the those kind of balls I was talking about earlier. Some places in my town have them, but not like this. We stopped and walked around for awhile. So pretty!
10 Likes
And any gift going out has to spend some time under the tree first!
2 Likes
Usually I’d say yes to this…but mine had to get in the mail! No time under our tree!
Last night H and I went to dinner in Little Italy (San Diego) and walked around and looked at the decorations.
15 Likes
Keep them coming.
These are all so beautiful.
Christmas trees and decor just brings me so much joy.
So festive and peaceful, and sometime even a bit mesmerizing.
ETA: I don’t have a picture bc this was in late 1970’s, but my family visited Niagara Falls (American side) at Christmas time and they had a gorgeous, charming, inviting and to me magical Christmas park area that I will forever hold in my mind and heart as one of my favorite Christmas experience memories.
It was snowing, the snowflakes caught in my eyelashes and in my hair and that made it even better for this Florida born and raised young girl.
I can close my eyes and remember all my senses being activated, and smile. 
9 Likes
Those are cool!!!
Every year before Christmas, we attend Las Noches de Las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. This year’s featured art display is Light Bloom by Hybycozo, “where nature and light unite in stunning, geometric brilliance.”
The ornamental plant displays were spectacular, too:
And these cuties were on display as well:
19 Likes
When does this exhibit end?
Las Noches de Las Luminarias runs through 12/31:
WHEN:
Las Noches de las Luminarias| Select nights Dec. 1-31
Member-only dates | Dec. 1-4
Additional dates | Dec. 9-11, 15-18, 20-23 & 26-31
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
1 Like
@oldfort the “little one” near the tree is adorable!
1 Like