We open gifts on Christmas Eve night. I like having the candles lit, and no dinner, just hors de oerves. Ours is small household, so there isn't much, but we have fun. And of course, the dogs wear bows that night from the wrap, and since we use brown paper, that goes into the fire. It is like a law that the weather is clear at that time, so will go outside, and contemplate the universe. We sleep in on the next day, the man will play, and i will write thank you notes to all. Will spend a grand total of 2 hours making dinner, and when night falls, it is dinner and fireworks. A good time, indeed.