6 Simple Things That Make Christmas Morning Run Smoother

Christmas morning can be sweet and magical, or it can be chaos with tears, hunger, and toys everywhere. A lot of that comes down to how prepared you are before the kids come barreling into the living room.

These little prep steps don’t take long, but they make the whole morning feel calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Setting up a “trash and packaging” station

Before you go to bed, put a couple of trash bags or a large box near the tree. Keep scissors and a small screwdriver handy for packaging. If you have room, bring in a recycling bin too.

As gifts are opened, you can toss wrapping and packaging as you go instead of wading through a pile by mid-morning. It makes cleanup easier and keeps small parts from disappearing under paper.

Having a simple breakfast ready to go

Hungry kids crash fast. Prep something easy the night before: a breakfast casserole, muffins, or even just prepped fruit and yogurt. Set out plates, cups, and coffee supplies so you’re not fumbling around half-awake.

Knowing breakfast is basically done lets you enjoy the morning without having to disappear into the kitchen right when everyone’s excited and wanting to show you things.

Agreeing on a basic game plan with your spouse

Talk through the order of things before the big day: stockings first or last, breakfast before or after gifts, when you need to leave the house if you’re going somewhere.

It doesn’t have to be a rigid schedule, just a loose rhythm. Being on the same page keeps you from snapping at each other in the middle of the fun because you had totally different expectations.

Keeping batteries and tools in one spot

Round up batteries (different sizes if you can), scissors, a box cutter, and a small screwdriver. Put them all in a basket or container near the tree.

Instead of hunting through drawers when a toy needs batteries or something is zip-tied to cardboard, you can fix it on the spot. That keeps kids from melting down over a toy they can’t actually use yet.

Slowing down the gift opening

It’s tempting to let everyone tear in at once, but that’s how you end up not knowing who gave what, and kids missing half of what they received. Take turns, or at least slow the pace—one or two at a time, with everyone pausing to look and react.

You’ll enjoy their reactions more, they’ll remember the experience better, and the room won’t feel quite as wild.

Building in time to play

If you can help it, avoid scheduling something big early in the day. Leave space after gifts for kids to actually play and for you to sit with them.

When you don’t have to rush straight into “get dressed and get in the car” mode, everyone’s tension drops. Christmas morning turns into time you’re actually in, not just something you’re hurrying through to get to the next thing.