EVERY family has different Christmas traditions but one woman faced backlash for her strict approach to the festivities.
The mum-of-two shared the controversial rules she sets in place for her children when it comes to their presents.
In her viral video, TikTok user Samantha (@samanthaproudmama) talked her followers through her family’s plan for December 25th.
She acknowledged that her approach is considered “a bit controversial” by many people.
For her first tradition, the mum explained that her children aren’t allowed to open their presents until after they’ve had breakfast and are fully dressed.
However, the family do open their stockings “first thing in the morning” while they are still in bed.
“We just personally don’t like to just unwrap everything all at once, straight away, first thing in the morning, we like to spread it out over the day, and we find that really helps,” Samantha said.
When it is finally time to open the “tree presents,” the family take turns going one at a time.
She explained that she and her husband hand out the gifts instead of their children “going crazy.”
The mum shares son Jack who is almost two-years-old and daughter Isabella with her partner.
According to her, they want to teach the two children to be excited to give gifts as well as receive them.
The couple also sets a time in the morning that the children have to stay in bed until.
She revealed that this year her kids aren’t allowed to get up until after 7:00 AM.
Samantha added that the family don’t open any presents until Christmas Day.
They do a “traditional advent calendar” but opt out of Christmas Eve boxes.
On December 25th, their children open one present from Santa while the rest are from their parents.
She explained that they “don’t want Santa to take all of the credit” and added that they “like the idea that it’s us that gives majority.”
I know they’re not going to be for everybody but it’s what works for us.
Samantha
Samantha and her husband also encourage their children not to ask for anything unrealistic from Santa.
She pointed out that since Santa has to get gifts for all the children across the world, that this is an easy sell to her kids.
The family also write letters from Santa to their kids and enjoy a Secret Santa tradition on Boxing Day.
“I know they’re not going to be for everybody but it’s what works for us,” Samantha said.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the rules in the comments section.
“Why not let Santa take the credit? It’s only a few short years,” pointed out one viewer.
“Christmas is all about staying in pyjamas, opening and playing with toys until we have to go my mum’s for tea so we have no choice but to get dressed,” said another follower.
“There’s nothing worse than someone watching you open your present, and having to react to each and every present its draining,” commented a third person.
