I'm a single mum-of-3 & I've checked myself into a hotel to wrap Christmas presents in peace with room service & booze
12/19/2024 03:51 AM
WRAPPING presents for kids is one of the most magical – and most challenging – parts of the Christmas season.
It's not just about creating those picture-perfect packages; it's also about staying under the radar of those eagle-eyed little ones.
Let's be honest, sneaking around and hiding gifts can feel like a full-on spy mission.
But one creative single mum-of-three has shared a hack that's shaking things up – and sparking some debate.
Jenny, known as 'justjennybenny' on TikTok, has revealed her genius solution: she books a hotel room every year to wrap her presents in peace.
While some parents are applauding her for thinking outside the box, others aren't quite sold on the idea.
She shared a video on her TikTok page and told her 42,000 followers her mum life hack when it comes to wrapping the kids Christmas presents.
Speaking to camera, she says: "I’ve checked into a hotel for the night to wrap all my kids’ Christmas presents in peace, watching Christmas films.
"I’ve had room service, I had brisket, it was delicious. I’ve had Baileys, I’ve got, like, snacks.
"And what I did was I brought all the presents here."
Jenny explained that she bought all of her presents to the hotel and put them in piles.
She continues: "I’m in the middle of my eldest. I’ve still got my little boys to do.
“And I got all the presents here, and then there are, like, supermarkets all around where I’m staying.
"So then I went and bought wrapping paper, sellotape, and scissors.
"I bought massive gift bags, so I can put all the presents for each child in gift bags.
"I’ve bought separate gift bags for stockings, so I can keep them all organised. And then Christmas Eve box gift bags ready.
Time-saving mum hacks
Morning Routine
Nighttime Preparation: Set out clothes for yourself and the kids, pack lunches, and organise backpacks before bed.
Effortless Breakfasts: Keep simple, healthy breakfast options on hand, such as overnight oats, smoothie packs, or pre-made breakfast burritos.
Meal Planning
Weekly Meal Prep: Dedicate time each week to plan your meals to eliminate daily decision-making.
Bulk Cooking: Prepare larger quantities and freeze portions for future use.
Hands-Off Cooking: Make use of slow cookers or Instant Pots for easy, unattended meal prep.
Ready-to-Use Veggies: Purchase pre-chopped vegetables or chop them all at once to save time during the week.
Household Chores
Daily Laundry: Do a load of laundry every day to prevent a buildup of dirty clothes.
Continuous Cleaning: Encourage kids to clean up after themselves and perform small cleaning tasks throughout the day.
Efficient Multitasking: Fold laundry while watching TV or listen to audiobooks/podcasts while cleaning.
Organisation
Family Command Centre: Set up a central hub with a calendar, to-do lists, and important documents.
Daily Decluttering: Spend a few minutes each day decluttering to maintain an organised home.
Organised Storage: Use bins and baskets to keep items neat and easy to locate.
Kid Management
Prepared Activity Bags: Have bags packed with essentials for various activities (e.g., swimming, sports).
Routine Visuals: Implement visual charts to help kids follow their routines independently.
Task Delegation: Assign age-appropriate chores to children to foster responsibility and reduce your workload.
"And as I’m going along, I’m making a note of anything that I might have missed, things that I need.
"Now, I know that my oldest girl needs a couple more presents because, like, I try and give them all the same amount, not necessarily the same amount of money because they always all want different things, but the same amount to look at, just so it looks fair."
When Jenny is finished with the wrapping and sees everything that she has, she'll go to the 24-hour supermarket and finish off by finding whatever extra presents she needs.
She continues: "I come back, wrap it, and then I’m done.
"I get it boxed off all in one night, and then I can relax.
"I’ve got wrapping paper, don’t worry, but I have run out, so I need to go back soon and get more."
Her video has gained a lot of attention with over 20,000 people 'liking' it and many have gone to the comments section to share their thoughts, and some have mixed opinions.
Some didn't agree with her idea, as one wrote: "Just do it while they are at school."
Why shouldn't you enjoy a night away in some peace and quiet while making Christmas magic for your kids
TikTok comment
A second added: "Maybe treat the kids to a hotel stay or day out somewhere so you have the house to yourself.
"Then you don't have to lug the gifts back and forth and kids get a Christmas memory/treat."
A third commented: "I would never do this again, the worse thing I did."
Whilst a fourth said: "Stress free. Sounds like the most stressful thing ever, how are you getting that lot home."
And another added: "It's the fact u have to haul all the presents there then back home.
"I just lock myself in my bedroom and every five mins I shout DON’T COME IN haha."
How to save money on Christmas shopping
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
But others thought her idea was "great" and was inspired, as one wrote: "Great idea!
"I stayed at my mum’s for a wrap night.
"We decided to set the table in front of the tv, takeaway and wine. I haven't stayed with my mum for at least 15years! Definitely a new tradition."
A second said: "Actually love this for you.
"Why shouldn't you enjoy a night away in some peace and quiet while making Christmas magic for your kids?! Have fun!"
Someone else added: "Honestly you're living the dream."
Whilst another commented: "Wow all these years I’ve been wrapping my kids presents wrong… note to self 2025 book a hotel with a bottle of baileys."
