Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. However, with so many kids around, nieces, nephews, neighbors and others we tend to see more challenges than joys. We worry about handling their behavior, what they might put their hands on and start playing with. Not to mention that with so many presents and sweets around there is always the possibility of over-indulging, hence getting them overly excited, causing them to fight with each other or run around all over the place. This whole scenario calls for a disastrous Christmas, one which can be avoided very easily. No one can hold back children from enjoying Christmas, this is the beauty of this holiday, however we can surely make them enjoy it without making us, the parents, worry or stress. Believe it or not, it all starts with the presents.

If the children’s gifts are properly assembled and wrapped, we can cut down the stress by a lot. This is one thing you can take care of way before the Christmas hype begins. So, here is how.

1. Get Rid of the Packaging

Trust me, this is the best decision you can make. Do not worry that the toy will not look as nice without its original packaging. You can keep the box somewhere else for storing the toy afterwards, but when it comes to Christmas day and the unwrapping, it is best to have as little wrappers was possible Plus, by opening it up first, you can check for any defects or broken pieces..

2. Assemble the Toy

If this is a toy that needs some special assembly, take the time to put it together, For example if your little boy wanted a toy train, it is best that you assemble it for him, for more than one reason: you avoid him having to handle or be next to sharp objects on a day when he is more excited than usual, and he gets to enjoy the present right away, rather than waiting for hours for his present to be ready. This can make him fidgety and add some stress to your day. The only tip here is to make sure you assemble the toy at a time when the children cannot "catch you red handed." Also, be sure to hide it extra well, as now the present is more "vulnerable."

3. Get Standard Gift Boxes

This is the best way to avoid spoiling the surprise. If all boxes look the same, then Sam can't tell baby Anna, "That big oval over there must be that brown teddy bear you asked Santa" and cause baby Anna to cry. Besides making everything a lot easier to wrap, you just place the gift inside the box, add a bow and you are done, it also keeps the mystery alive, which is one of the elements kids love the most at Christmas. Keep in mind though that for smaller children, ripping the wrapper can be more exciting than the gift itself, so if you have young children, you might want to spend some extra time on making the wrapping flashy and rich.

4. Keep the Kids Busy

Children get distracted very easily. A few hours after playing with their new toys, they start getting bored since the "new" element becomes old already. So, keep them busy, by having them help you pick up all the wrapping paper. The colors and the noise will make them giggle and this way they also get praised for being so nice and helping out in the house. For older children, you can even have them help out with the dinner preparation. Again, giving them small tasks which empowers them makes them feel like grown-ups, a thing children often enjoy doing. Do not forget to compliment them on how well they arranged the cookies on the plate, or laid the napkins on the table, or the task you gave them. It is important to give feed back as this will make them understand the true value behind helping out.

5. Share Responsibilities

Do not take the entire burden. Make sure that everyone takes care of the children at some point, as no one can take care of kids on a Christmas rush for more than two hours. So, in order to enjoy Christmas equally, share the responsibilities with all the parents. This way, everyone gets an equal chance to enjoy the holiday.

There you have it! These five tips will help you control the day better and cause a lot less worries. Finally, you get to enjoy Christmas as much as your children!