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Discover simple ways to make Christmas morning calmer, brighter, and more memorable - from slow starts and stockings to festive breakfasts and family fun.
7 Min Read | By Holly James
Last Modified 24 November 2025 First Added 24 November 2025
There’s nothing quite like Christmas morning. The stillness of the world outside, the excitement as children wonder whether Santa’s been, and the promise of delicious food and festive fun on the horizon. Whether your family starts the day in matching pyjamas or bleary-eyed with a much-needed cup of tea, a gentle Christmas morning routine can make everything feel calmer, cosier, and just a little more magical.
We’ve put together the ultimate Christmas morning routine to help you start the day merry and bright and add a little extra sparkle to your festive morning.
We know asking children to stay in bed on Christmas morning is a stretch. Still, avoiding an early alarm helps the day begin in a slower, more rested way (and prevents everyone from feeling wiped out by lunchtime). Try setting a “no earlier than…” rule, agreeing on a time in the morning that your kids can’t wake you till, or use a child-friendly wake-up clock that glows when it’s officially morning.
If you’re in a child-free household, embrace the luxury of a lie-in. Turn off the alarms and let yourself wake up naturally so you’re well-rested and ready for a day of celebrations.
Stockings are a nostalgic and meaningful way to begin the day – starting with the smaller, often more thoughtful gifts you’ve chosen for one another. Whether you open them in bed or save them until everyone’s gathered by the tree, stockings are the perfect warm-up act. They’re low-pressure, enjoyably chaotic and buy you time to pop the kettle on before the main event begins. Let everyone rummage through their own stocking at their own pace. It’s often the tiniest treats that spark the biggest smiles.
Christmas morning is the perfect excuse to linger over a truly indulgent breakfast – the kind you don’t make on an ordinary day. Think freshly baked croissants straight from the oven, festive pancakes shaped like Christmas trees, or even a full English with all the trimmings. If you prefer something lighter, a bowl of fruit and yoghurt is tasty and refreshing, while a glass of Bucks Fizz for the grown-ups adds a little sparkle to the morning. Whatever you choose, a delicious, treat-filled breakfast sets a joyful tone for the rest of the day.
Every family has its own traditions for opening presents. Some unwrap gifts one by one, drawing out the excitement, while others embrace the chaos of wrapping paper flying in every direction. Whichever side your household sits on, try to slow the pace and savour the moment. Let children play with their new toys, and give adults a chance to properly appreciate their gifts rather than adding them straight to a growing pile. Use these natural pauses to stretch, top up drinks, tidy a little, or simply sit back and soak in the scene. These small pockets of calm often become the moments you remember most, helping the morning unfold gently instead of rushing by in a flash.
Christmas morning isn’t just about unwrapping presents or rushing through planned activities; it’s about truly enjoying the moment. Resist the urge to tidy everything straight away or jump into cooking. Let children immerse themselves in their new books, toys, or games. Give yourself permission to relax, too. You’ve been planning, shopping, and preparing for weeks – this is the moment it’s all for.
Take your time easing into the day. Have a long shower, try out any new skincare or bath products you’ve received, pick an outfit that makes you feel great, and enjoy the process. In the rush to make Christmas morning magical for everyone else, it’s easy to forget that you’re part of the celebration too. So, allow yourself a moment, and appreciate the joy you’ve helped create.
Filling the morning with a wintry family activity, such as a gentle walk or a cosy Christmas movie, is a great way to break up the morning and enjoy some quality time together without the distractions of presents or food. Bundle up and take a wander around the neighbourhood to spot the best light displays, or snuggle under a blanket with a festive classic and a few of those Christmas chocolates.
If you’re hosting Christmas dinner, turn the prep into part of the fun. Put on some festive tunes, pour a glass of fizz, and get everyone involved – chopping, stirring, laying the table. Many hands make light work, and sharing the responsibility means you get to enjoy more of the day, too.
Everyone aims to make Christmas morning feel magical and unforgettable, but trying too hard can sometimes have the opposite effect. A little relaxation often goes a long way. Here are some tips to help you create meaningful moments without piling on extra stress or planning:
Don’t force traditions The best Christmas traditions often happen by accident. The year you ran out of orange juice and had hot chocolate instead. The time you couldn’t be bothered to get dressed, so you all stayed in pyjamas. These quirks stick. However, you can start intentional traditions too – a gratitude journal for each Christmas morning, a new ornament for the tree, or matching pyjamas for everyone. The key is to go with the flow. As children grow, routines change. Teenagers may sleep later, and someone might want to wear the new shirt they just received. That’s okay, let the magic evolve with you.
Relax Christmas morning doesn’t follow a structure like any other morning, and the best thing you can do is lean into it. Let go of any pressure to keep everything running to a strict schedule, and allow the day to unfold at its own pace. If people want an extra few minutes in bed, let them. If the present-opening takes longer than planned because someone wants to play with each gift as they go, embrace it. This laid-back, unhurried approach creates a calm and comforting atmosphere where everyone can simply enjoy being together.
Create anticipation the night before Christmas Eve marks the beginning of the excitement. Build the anticipation by leaving out treats for Father Christmas, sprinkling reindeer food in the garden, and arranging all your presents ready for the big day. In the morning, that empty plate and beautifully prepared room will make all the difference.
Let children take the lead Kids create their own magic at Christmas. Let them put on a show with their presents, DJ with their new music, or build an elaborate toy masterpiece. Their joy sets the tone, allowing you to follow it.
Be in the moment Christmas morning isn’t about perfection; it’s about being truly present. Try putting your phone aside while the presents are being opened. Notice the smiles, the surprises, and the funny little moments. The real magic often hides in the natural, slightly chaotic bits of the day. Take a few photos, but don’t experience the morning solely through a screen. Pause, breathe it in, and live in the moment.
Finnish families start with rice porridge, hiding an almond in one bowl for luck. Later, after festive food, families relax together in the sauna – a calming contrast to the winter chill outside.
Before sunrise, families head to church for Julotta, a traditional dawn service that welcomes the light after a long winter darkness. They return home for a cosy breakfast and continued celebrations.
Some Polish children wake up to small gifts from St. Nicholas on Christmas morning, before families attend Mass. Breakfast pastries and poppy-seed treats follow – a quiet, reflective start to the day.
After attending “Rooster’s Mass” late on Christmas Eve/early Christmas morning, Mexican families often begin Christmas Day by breaking festive piñatas filled with sweets and fruit. Warm drinks, such as atole, make it a lively and joyful start.
Christmas morning is part of “la ribote,” where neighbours visit one another, share homemade dishes, and sing Creole carols through the early hours – a celebration of food, music, and community.
Although the main gift-giving happens on 5th December, children in the Netherlands often find small treats in their shoes on Christmas morning, such as gingerbread, marzipan and chocolate letters.
Christmas morning doesn’t have to be perfectly planned to be wonderful. Whether you spend it playing with new toys, lingering over breakfast, or simply enjoying a rare slow moment with the people you love, these small rituals help shape the memories that stay with us long after the decorations come down. However you celebrate, may your Christmas morning be calm, joyful, and filled with the kind of magic that only happens once a year.
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