From 1983-1986, my parents were missionaries in Nepal. We would often receive barrels from Australia with all sorts of goodies in them.
The most exciting time was around Christmas when the gifts would arrive from our grandparents and other family members, all wrapped and ready to go under the tree. It was always exciting to open the barrels and find the gifts.
I don’t envy my parents the task of trying to keep 3 excited kids away from the gifts until Christmas day!
I could imagine opening the barrels on Christmas Eve or day as part of the celebrations – would have been fun and saved your parents the hassle of protecting the gifts!