Ferne McCann reveals unusual Christmas rule she has for opening presents – and trolls say it’s ‘not fair’ for kids
FERNE McCann has opened up about her unique Christmas traditions – including the strict rule she has for when her kids can open their presents.
And it’s certainly a topic up for debate, as trolls have previously blasted parents who make the same decision, slamming it as “not fair” on children.
Ferne, 33, is getting ready to celebrate the festive season alongside her fiancée, Lorri Haines, their newborn, Finty, and Ferne’s eldest Sunday, six, from a previous relationship.
In the countdown, the former The Only Way Is Essex star has teamed up with One4all Gift Cards to chat about traditions old and new.
And she became part of an ongoing debate about when is the right time to open presents on Christmas morning when she said her house had a pre-breakfast gift ban.
She revealed: “The funny thing about Christmas is you don’t realise how unique everyone’s celebrations are until you become a blended family and you find yourselves having to decide which childhood traditions you want to carry on keeping the magic alive.
“We’ve got this one rule we always stick to – no opening presents until after breakfast.
“It builds up the excitement, and, trust me, it’s worth the wait just to see the kids light up knowing Santa got their letter in the post.”
But where do you stand on the idea of making your kids wait to open their gifts?
It’s a subject matter that’s divided parents in previous years, with a whole Reddit thread dedicated to the big question.
On one hand, trolls slammed the concept. One said: “Late morning for me but first thing for my kids. Anyone making children wait until the afternoon is just cruel.”
A second was in agreement as they added: “After waking up. How can you deny the kids!”
But others said that teaching children patience could be encouraged, and that Christmas Day isn’t all about what’s under the tree.
Someone else wrote: “Stocking first thing in the morning. Presents spread throughout the day, into the afternoon.”
While another chimed in: “Teaching our children to pace themselves and take notice of the gifts they get seems to have reduced the rabid little monsters’ effect, but maybe we’re just lucky.”
Ferne’s other traditions were on much safer ground, as she shared how she and Lorri are meeting in the middle.
The reality star continued: “I remember telling Lorri how excited I was to follow in my mum’s footsteps and pop satsumas into the kids’ stockings.
“You should have seen his face – he’d never heard of it, but that didn’t stop me from adding it to our Christmas Day.”
One4all Gift Cards also found that 74 per cent of Brits plan to embrace new traditions and guests for 2023 – with Ferne leading the way.
The ex I’m a Celebrity campmate revealed: “I was a single parent with Sunday for many, many years. People extended their invitation to us all the time, and so we’ve returned the favour.
“As it’s Finty’s first Christmas, we’ll be introducing a new tradition where we enjoy a Christmas carol get-together.”
One4all Gift Cards also discovered in their survey of 1009 people that Brits are regularly mixing things up.
74 per cent spend the day with unexpected guests beyond their immediate family, while one in 10 will be inviting a neighbour, and seven per cent will have an ex turn up at the door.
Meanwhile, just 35 per cent of Brits will be inviting their in-laws to join in the fun.
BRITS’ BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
- Having turkey for dinner – 26%
- Opening presents in the morning – 21%
- Playing games with the family – 19%
- Watching your favourite movie – 10%
- Having additional meats at dinner – 9%
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line