[kandj]

When our kids were small we had 2 sets of wrapping paper. One that was used for gifts that went under the tree before Christmas and the kids could choose from whatever was in that set to wrap up gifts and most of the time we created tags from the paper. I never used bows much unless it was created from curling ribbon.

The other set was kept hidden. All the gifts from "Santa" were wrapped with that set. Each person had a different roll or color that was used for their gifts and EVERYTHING in the stocking was wrapped. The way one could tell whose gifts were under the tree was based on what matched from their stocking. I never put tags on the stuff from Santa.

When I was growing up, we took turns opening gifts on Christmas with each one opening their gift and them moving on to the next person. My husband's family would sort/hand out the gifts and then it was utter chaos as each one tore into their gifts. When I saw how they did it, I told him that there was no way I could handle that. To this day, we still open them one at time - makes it last longer that way.

He and I stopped exchanging gifts several years back when we started to travel for the holidays. We're both happy with that because we get what we want. Although once in a while we will buy something for each other "just because".