When Should You Put Christmas Presents Under the Tree?
The feeling you get when you and your family rush to gather around your Christmas tree to open presents is indescribable.
But, when should you put your Christmas presents under the tree? While most people prefer putting their gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve, some choose to place them much earlier. Others will leave it until Christmas Day comes around.
Read more to discover when to place your presents under the tree and the perfect way to organise them.
The history behind giving Christmas gifts in the UK
The tradition of giving and receiving presents has been a large part of Christmas for many years. Many people believe it started with the three wise men who brought baby Jesus gold, myrrh, and frankincense as gifts. It's also thought the ancient Romans used to exchange gifts during their Saturnalia holiday celebrations.
In the UK, the tradition of Christmas gifts started with the royal family. Queen Victoria, who is believed to have initiated this tradition, allowed people in the palace to exchange homemade gifts. The royal family still practices the tradition of exchanging inexpensive homemade gifts to this day.
When is the right time to put Christmas presents under the tree?
For many of us, Christmas presents are part of the Christmas décor. As a result, putting the Christmas tree up will determine when we put our presents under the tree. Let's look at a few of the most popular times people put Christmas gifts under the tree.
Christmas Eve
A lot of people prefer placing Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas Eve. Many children believe in Father Christmas, which is why some parents choose to put the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve to pass them on as Father Christmas' presents.
As soon as you wrap your Christmas gifts
Placing your Christmas presents as soon as you wrap them is another good time, especially if you have older kids. If they're older, you can usually trust them to wait until Christmas morning to open the gifts!
To get more into the spirit, hang stockings with your little ones and then wait for Father Christmas to fill them with gifts during the night on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day
Putting your gifts under the tree on Christmas Day may also be a good time if you have family and friends coming over. Doing this means you can place the presents from your loved ones as they come in and open them together later when everyone has arrived.
How to creatively put your Christmas presents under the tree
Like Christmas tree decorations, how you place Christmas gifts under the tree says a lot about your style and personality. Gone are the days when you used to stack them on top of each other to get them out of the way.
Here are a couple of tips on arranging your Christmas presents more creatively and attractively.
Don't be afraid to get creative with your wrapping
When it comes to wrapping Christmas gifts, don't be afraid to explore! One way to do so is to use wrapping paper with different colours and patterns. You can also use different ribbons, bows, and bags. With a vibrant mix of wrapping, you can create a lively variation, making the presents look more attractive.
Pay attention to how you stack your Christmas presents
Creatively stacking your Christmas gifts is one way to get your kids and other family members excited to open them. The first secret to arranging your presents like an expert is to place the large and exciting ones at the back or side.
Using this technique makes your arrangement look appealing. It also keeps the fun of opening gifts alive. Since you saved the best gifts for last, your loved ones will be more eager to unwrap them.
It's also a great idea to create several piles with your presents. Start by placing the larger ones at the bottom, followed by the smaller ones on top. Arranging them this way helps your collection look more appealing.
Don'tDon't create a tower with your presents if you want to make your pile look more prominent. Even if you're stacking them, try and spread them out to both sides of the tree. You can also leave a small space between your Christmas tree and presents. Leaving the back of your tree bare makes it look like there are more Christmas gifts.
Keep Christmas presents away from heat sources
You may already know this, but placing your realistic Christmas tree and gifts away from sources of heat such as candles and fireplaces is essential. It's best to consider the location of your tree before you put it up. This way you can ensure the tree and any gifts are safely away from heat sources.
Keep a rubbish bin nearby
Even though it's fun to unwrap gifts, it can be pretty messy. To help with this, keep a rubbish bin close by so that everyone can clear up as they unwrap their presents. If you don't have a spare bin, find a rubbish bag on Christmas morning and place any unwanted paper in this.
Placing a container nearby will not only spare you the trouble of cleaning up, but it will also prevent you from throwing smaller gifts accidentally.
Keep pets away from your gifts
We all love our pets, but they can be destructive when around things such as presents. No one wants to wake up to a pile of opened Christmas gifts and shredded wrapping paper!
To keep your presents safe, try to keep your pets out of the room where your presents are. If you can't do this, create a wall of heavy items around your gifts and remove them the next day.
Enjoy celebrating Christmas with your family and friends
Christmas gifts have become a considerable part of this festive season over the years. As much as there's a lot of fuss about the best time to put your Christmas presents under the tree, it is entirely your decision! Explore our Christmas tree shop if you need a new artificial Christmas tree for your presents to sit underneath. At Christmas Tree World, our beautiful Christmas trees make your home look more festive and bring the beauty out of your Christmas presents.
