How to Survive Christmas Morning with This Simple Trick
Christmas morning can be filled with excitement, joy, and anticipation. But there’s one thing that can quickly turn your festive spirit into frustration: those tough clamshell plastic packages. Luckily, I have a solution to this common holiday dilemma that can help you streamline the gift-unwrapping process and ensure that everyone can enjoy their presents safely.
The Frustration of Durable Plastic Packaging
The tradition of gift-giving is cherished during the holidays, and there’s nothing more disappointing than struggling to open a well-secured package. Many popular toys and gifts, aimed at delighting children and adults alike, often come encased in durable plastic packaging designed to deter theft. Unfortunately, this strong packaging can make it nearly impossible to access the product inside. This experience can lead to tears from little ones eager to play with their gifts, making for a less-than-joyful Christmas morning.
As you gather around the Christmas tree, envision your family filled with joy as they unwrap their gifts. The excitement can quickly shift to frustration when faced with cumbersome packaging that requires considerable effort to open. It’s essential to remember that there’s a better way to deal with these clamshell packages, and it starts with knowing the right tools and techniques.
How to Safely Open Plastic Packaging
The first strategy to consider is seeking any manufacturer-added tabs or openings designed for easy access. Look for these features before resorting to more forceful methods. If no such tab exists, utilizing the appropriate tools is key.

One effective tool that every household should have is a rotary can opener. This tool is versatile and works wonders on stubborn clamshell packages. Simply run the can opener around the edge of the package as you would with a regular can. If that does not suffice, you can use a knife carefully between the plastic layers to aid in opening. Scissors are also useful for trimming around the edges. Just be cautious not to damage the product inside or cut through important instructions.
Check out this helpful video on how to open clamshell packages:
The Importance of Preparation
It’s a sad state of affairs when the packaging can cause more stress than the product inside. By utilizing these tips on how to open plastic clamshell packages efficiently, your family can enjoy their gifts without unnecessary delays and frustrations this Christmas morning. Remember to employ these techniques thoughtfully, and your gift-opening experience will be far more enjoyable!
While the holidays often provoke thoughts of family and joy, they can inadvertently lead to stress when faced with stubborn packaging. Don’t let clamshells dampen the celebration. Equip yourself with the right tools and share these tips with family members to ensure everyone can join in on the excitement of unwrapping gifts promptly.
Additional Holiday Survival Tips
In addition to preparing for common packaging issues, consider these related survival resources to enhance your holiday spirit:
- Holiday Survival Tips: How to Survive Christmas Eve with Excited Kids
- Holiday Preparedness: Tips for Your Family
- What To Do In An Emergency: A Guide for the Holidays
- Top Survival Skills | Learn Now, Survive Later
- 29 YouTube Survival Skills That Could Save Your Life
Final Thoughts
As you prepare to celebrate the holidays with loved ones, don't let the frustration of tough packaging spoil your fun. With these helpful tips on opening clamshells and a toolkit for other challenges, you’ll be ready to tackle anything that comes your way this Christmas. Spread the word and share your experiences—how do you cope with tricky packaging? We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 25, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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“There’s nothing I hate more…”? Wow…
Yeah, it’s a good idea, but kitchen scissors work fine for me.
Who’s that inept at using scissors?
And then you have the new generation, raised on everything electronic, who have to have operating a manual can opener demonstrated for them in a group assembly, and think it’s a pretty big deal when the young lady demonstrating it get the can open. Seen that video yet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC35FAJDFpY
Pretty scary.