Presents from SantaBefore the sun even shows it’s face on Christmas morning, the kiddos scamper into the living room as fast as they can to see what all good ol’ St. Nick has left them as he trekked his way around the globe the night before.

The little ones start tearing into the wrapping paper that Santa Claus has so carefully taped to each and every box.  They are so excited to see the fun new toys that they so carefully put thought into asking the jolly old man for as they sat on his lap weeks before.

You’ve barely even had time to think about coffee much less make it!

It never fails.

Presents from SantaOPEN THIS!!!! HURRY MOMMY!

I don’t know how to play this game.

Take a picture, take a picture!

Where are the batteries?  IT NEEDS BATTERIES!!!

HURRY!  You’re taking too long!

Why won’t it open?  I can’t get it out of the box!

Where did Woody’s hat go?

It’s STUCK!  Get it out!

Mommy, can you help me?

Why do the elves make these so hard to get into?


This year, I plan to be prepared BEFORE Santa shows up in my living room!  Here are the top 5 things I will have readily available on Christmas morning!

Knife or Box Cutter – I’ve officially spent 11 Christmas mornings as a mother, and there is always that one box that has a ton of tape on it and you just can’t get into.  Make sure you have some kind of knife or box cutter handy for that reason.  Make sure it’s out of the reach of the kidlets, and you don’t lay it on the floor (dangerous), but make sure one is handy!

Batteries – In every size.  It doesn’t matter if you think you need every size or not.  There’s always going to be a toy that needs AAA batteries when all you purchased was AA, or one that needs a two D batteries when your husband swore up and down it was C’s.

Trash Bag(s) – We always try to put ripped up paper in trash bags as soon as our gifts are opened.  Why?  Someone is bound to lose a doll’s shoe, or the game’s instructions if you just let it all pile up in the middle of the floor and wait until you’re done to pitch it all.

Fully Charged Camera – Last year, or the year before, I was so wrapped up (pun possibly intended) in wrapping gifts that I forgot to charge my camera!  It was so upsetting to only be able to snap a few pics.  Don’t be like me!  Make sure you’re fully charged and ready to go!

Last, but most definitely not least…

SCREWDRIVERS! – You know good and well that most – if not all – of the packaged toys your kiddos unwrap are going to mounted in that box with plastic, tie wraps, cardboard, duct tape, and whatever else the elves use to make that picture perfect display in a box!  Make sure you have small Phillips and Flathead screw drivers ready just for that reason.  We all know that those toys are NOT coming out of that box without screwdrives, so go ahead and find you some kind of Swiss Army knife NOW to carry around in your pocket.

Be prepared Christmas morning!!  Stay ahead of the game and show Santa that you’re an old pro at his reindeer games!