We fill out a Google form on Santa’s website to apply for early delivery (reason: out of town travel). We get accepted every year!

Honestly this is a great opportunity to put boundaries on Christmas. Have Christmas where you are— enjoy the customs and special foods of the country your are visiting. Select gifts that can be packed easily and perhaps as other suggested are trip oriented and have Santa come to your hotel/home you’re in.

When you get home I am sure there will be a ton of gifts from family members and friends. This is a good moment to start the idea that Christmas is about the people you’re with and the memories you’re making together and the gifts are not the main event.

Growing up we were often away. We usually opened family gifts before we left, and had a small stocking wherever we were.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Santa delivered the gifts while you were going and omg they're here when you walk in the door on the 6th!

This is what we did once. It was great!

We are always abroad for Christmas and give our kids four gifts. We bring two, and there are two waiting at home. We don't bother with Santa or a second christmas morning.

We’ve done this a couple times, and celebrated Christmas early before we left.

Observe the 12 days of Christmas! You're getting home on the 6th! Give them one portable on the 25th and do the rest later. Don't confuse the 4 year old about what day it is.

Anonymous wrote:Well you have three months to figure out this first world problem

Go away.

Well you have three months to figure out this first world problem

We were in England when DD was five. Santa brought tickets to the Lion King in London plus small stuff. He also wrote a note saying he left a couple larger things at our house here because he knew we were flying…….. Santa will come early for children of first responders but I think it’s the day before, not like the week before…..

In the past when we have done this, Santa brings a small stocking to where we are, and we get other gifts when we return home.

Away-from-home stocking gifts can include consumables (candy is a hit, although I'll be honest and say for grown ups, cheese is also welcome), things needed on the trip (save the winter hat or new warm socks for a couple of days, they can go in the stocking), and small toys or trinkets like stickers, maybe a small lego set, that they can easily travel with.

Maybe Santa delivered the gifts while you were going and omg they're here when you walk in the door on the 6th!

Just tell them you wrote to Santa and he said he'd make an exception and come early just this once.

They might have a countdown at school, which will be the only giveaway.

Kids are 1.5yo and 4yo. We will be out of the country from Dec 22-Jan 6th. If we do Christmas at home (i.e. Santa's coming tonight! and gifts in the morning) will my 4yo know the difference yet? She goes to full preschool for what it's worth.

I feel silly asking but has anyone done this?