To tell them, we will be "letting" them each open one gift. The gift is a Mickey Mouse Sweatshirt, spending money and airline tickets we have wrapped up and placed under the tree taunting them for the last week or so.
After that, we will let them open the rest of their gifts, then take down the tree. Leaving the tree up while we are gone is not an option. It's been up since November 30, and is as dry as tinder right now. I'll be relieved when it comes down as I don't even like the kids turning the lights on it now.
We're still vacillating between letting them open the rest of their gifts this Saturday, or waiting until we get home from California on the 27th. Seeing as how Hubby and I are big softies, I suspect the kids will convince us to let them do it on Saturday.
I'm going to suggest that we go swimming Saturday night to wear the kids out so they can sleep that night. With that and Melatonin, they should get a couple hours in at least!