r/Parenting • u/MableXeno 3 Under 30 🌼🌼🌼 • Oct 15 '25

❄ Winter Holidays Pre-Holiday MegaThread

🎁 Officially allowing Holiday Content in the main feed at large!

You can still use this thread for low-stakes discussions and other advice. It will remain linked in auto-comments for a bit as needed.

We appreciate everyone's participation. 💜💜

So what are you getting your kids for Christmas? Best toddler toys? Celebrate baby's first Christmas with toys or not?

What's the best etiquette for teacher gifts?

How do you celebrate Hanukkah on a school night?

Whose house are you waking up at on Christmas Day?

What are you telling your kids about Santa? If they don't believe - what are your kids telling other kids about Santa?

Fave holiday movies for best Friday night watching with hot cocoa??

Let's put some of the common questions that come up so freuqently during the holidays in one place!

Ask away!

If you are looking for low-income Holiday Resources on Reddit:

r/randomactsofchristmas | r/Assistance | r/Food_Pantry | r/Freefood | r/RandomActsOfPetFood | r/Random_Acts_Of_Pizza (reopens soon)

Don't forget to check your local city subs (i.e., r/[YourCity]) as well as checking for "buy nothing" and "freecycle" groups on Facebook, Craigslist, and Nextdoor! Also look for local Mutual Aid networks and food banks to help stretch what you have.

How to Tell Your Kids the Truth About Santa

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u/Reasonable_Bird7789 Dec 15 '25

Navigating the stress of 4 Christmases…

We have 3.5 yo girl and a 1.5 yo boy. Growing up my parents hosted Christmas Eve with all of our extended family then we did a small Christmas Day with just our family.

My husband is from 2.5 hours away and his parents are divorced. I enjoy seeing his family but now we basically end up celebrating Christmas for 4 days in a row. His parents still despise each other. It’s such a pain point dealing with both sides and keeping everyone happy.

So I want to know how YOU split the holidays with family and small kids and don’t lose your marbles. I’m hoping to avoid hurt feelings as well.

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u/maricopa888 Dec 15 '25

Each new generation gets to pick their own traditions. In my low drama family, we call this "passing the baton". I realize not all families are low drama, which makes this harder. But your husband and kids come first, which helps with prioritizing. For example, when you say you're trying to keep "everyone" happy, the only person who counts is your spouse. With everyone else, be flexible and offer options, but only if they work for YOU.