There was alot of hurdles to Jump on Christmas Morning

Our Christmas tree never went up until Christmas eve. We would always pester our mother about putting up the tree, but we were informed that this was actually one of Santa's and his elves tasks. They were supposed to put up the Christmas tree and put the presents underneath when they were finished. My sister and I, one evening marveled at how our mother and father were able to put up, and decorate the tree and put the presents underneath in one night - a feat any ninja would be proud of I'm sure!
Christmas morning for us was different, our father and mother made sure that a strict protocol was followed. The three of us children would be waiting for our father's wake up call on Christmas morning. It didn't take much to get us up and out of bed on Christmas morning. I was usually fully dressed and at the door and ready to bounce down the stairs with my chores done as soon as I heard my father calling us. I would be out the door in no time. I was usually the first one downstairs, and I would arrive at the living room door only to be stopped in my tracks by my mother who was pointing to the kitchen.
My father had prepared a wholesome breakfast for all of us. It contained all the great ingredients that every Doctor will pooh-pooh - bacon, eggs, pancakes, and homemade hash browns. He also made a homemade egg nog, which would appall most dieticians or nutritionists - it was made with unpasteurized milk from a local farmer and raw uncooked eggs. I loved this homemade egg nog recipe, and one glass would usually fill me up. We would eat our breakfast and drink our egg nog as quickly as possible, only to be informed that we could open our presents once the dishes were done.
Talk about whining and wailing - the anticipation of opening the presents was killing us! After much knashing of teeth- this was tortuous for us kids. We would announce that all of the dishes were done. Our mother would come in and check and make sure that everything was in order. If she found anything not to her liking, we had to rectify it. If our parents were satisfied that everything was acceptable, we were let into the treasure room to open our presents.
It was usually three hours before we were allowed to start opening our presents. I laugh when I think about this instant gratification generation waiting that long before they could open their presents.