My mom came up with the “hour gift” idea when I was 12. At first I absolutely hated the idea. But with time, it’s grown to be one of my favorite holiday memories.
And now it’s a tradition for my own little family.
Maybe it could help slow down the Christmas craziness at your house, too. The question is:
Are you patient enough to give it a try?
Hour Gifts
The idea is, well, you can probably guess. Everyone opens one gift on the hour for as long as you have gifts to open.
You can start it at any time: when the kids get up, after breakfast, after they’ve opened gifts from the grandparents, etc.
Your kids might complain at first, but they’ll come around. Think about it:
Isn’t it better to have the anticipation and fun of opening gifts for perhaps half a day, than just a half hour?
It makes the excitement of the day last that much longer!
More Gift Ideas:
And, by all means, if you have your own gift-giving ideas or traditions, please share!
My Castle Heart Publications 
I still remember the year you received a radio/alarm clock as one of your “Santa” gifts and then set it to go off every hour so you could open up your hour gifts at the soonest possible moment. I miss those chaotic Christmases. Now they are achingly peaceful and quiet. Maybe Dad and I should get each other hour gifts next year. We just finished making our sweet and non-sweet. Happy birthday my little Christmas angel. Miss you. Love and prayers, Mom