Can You Wait Until Tomorrow to Give Your Spouse Their Gifts?

by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger

24 Dec 2007 12:45 PM

I can't. I always want to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve but Wayne always makes me wait until Christmas morning.

It's not because I can't wait to see what I got. That's not it at all. No, I'm always anxious to give Wayne his presents tonight because it's torture keeping any kind of secrets from him. Normally I tell him everything and enjoy sharing what I bought for who. Having to keep secret what I bought for him for any length of time just kills me!

In Couples and Christmastime Traditions, Families.com family member JadeWalker explained how she and her husband have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve, then opening the rest Christmas morning. Sometimes Wayne and I do this too.

Or at least he gets to open a gift. Usually I already know what my gift is. Sometimes it's because he's already given it to me, like he did this year. Other times it's because we give each other joint gifts that are a major purchase of some sort that don't warrant wrapping and mystery.

But when we don't do the joint gift thing and I buy presents that are just for him I can't wait to give them to him. I think I get this from my dad.

When I was very little and my parents were still together, Christmas morning was the big unwrapping time. However, my dad always let me open one gift after Christmas Eve dinner. Looking back I think it's because he was bursting to see my reaction. (I was very fortunate to have parents that never failed to give me delightful Christmas gifts.)

That's the part I relish --Wayne's reactions. He works hard all year and it's nice to be able to show him thanks by giving him thoughtful gifts I know will delight him.

It's hard enough waiting as it is, but to have to wait one more day...ugh! It tries my patience more than I can say. Especially when I know he could be enjoying what I bought him tonight instead of waiting until tomorrow.

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Learn more about Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k.

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Jade Walker (964) 26 Dec 2007 05:30 PM

We broke tradition this year and opened everything on Christmas Eve. Just couldn't help ourselves. It was great! *smile*

(Side note: We're not hitched yet. Saving up for it....)

Courtney Mroch (9169) 27 Dec 2007 01:50 PM

Oh whoops! I thought it was already a done deal between you and your man, JadeWalker. Sorry about the goof.

And so funny you broke tradition this year! I hope you got lots of good loot!!!!

MarriageDiva (33) 29 Dec 2007 01:41 PM

My husband and I travel to our families for Christmas, so we save OUR Christmas until we get home from the "family fun". Our tradition is to go out for Japanese or Thai and then come home and open gifts. We don't have any children (yet or ever, who knows) so we make it at really romantic time.

Courtney Mroch (9169) 29 Dec 2007 06:53 PM

Ah, this is a new approach to it: doing it AFTER Christmas. I don't think I could wait that long!! But it sure sounds like you two know how to make the most of it all the way around. (I LOVE Japanese at Christmas...or anytime...but there's nothing like some sushi to get a break from the traditional fare. ;) Thanks for the comment and the new perspective, MarriageDiva!