I was really lucky as a kid. Though no one really had that much money, we were still able to pull of 4 gift exchanges. I didn’t know where to put this in the vote, so I voted for the last one. But I wouldn’t expect anyone to think of this, it is so convoluted.
Growing up, my dad was Catholic while my mom, my brother and I were Methodist. Both of my parents’ families were within easy driving distances and we would visit both sets of grandparents at least once a week throughout the year. So Christmas Eve and Christmas were busy times for our family.
On Christmas Eve morning, my brother and I would pester our parents to open the presents that had been under the tree for the past week or so. Around midday, just after lunch. we were finally able to open those. These were all gifts from my parents usually consisting of sweaters, socks, pants, and the occasional school supply. Nothing too exciting, but fun never the less.
On Christmas Eve night, we went to my dad’s parents house. First we feasted on the likes of homemade lasagna, ravioli, cutlets and fresh bread. (Yeah, we’re Italian. What tipped you off?) Then it was time to open presents from all the aunts/uncles and Grandma/Grandpa. Since everyone else was Catholic, we all headed off to midnight mass then home to sleep and wait for Santa to drop off our gifts.
Christmas morning was when we got the stuff we asked Santa for. Toys! And cool electronic gadgets!
Christmas night we went to my mom’s parents house. A much smaller and quieter affair since there were less people (you know how those Catholics are about making babies). Again, first we ate then we got presents from our Aunt/Uncle and Grandma/Grandpa. These were usually toys since my mom did all the shopping for us and put Aunt/Uncle’s or Grandma/Grandpa’s name on the present. My aunt and uncle did the same for their kids so it all worked out evenly and everyone got exactly what they wanted.
When my brother and I got older, the Christmas Eve gifts from our parents got moved to Christmas morning to replace the Santa gifts we didn’t receive anymore. But it was still more than just clothes and school supplies.
Now that I have kids of my own, we now have the 5 gift exchanges. One with my wife and kids on Christmas Eve. One at my in-laws’ house on Christmas Eve. One at my Aunt’s house on Christmas Eve (replaced the one at my dad’s parents’ house since they are no longer with us). Santa on Christmas morning. And my parents’ house on Christmas evening (replaced the one at my mom’s parents’ house).