:INFO
The idea
Most Christmas tech trouble is avoidable: a flat battery, no Wi-Fi password, a child account with no limits, an old person alone with a scam text. These steps are our suggestions, with official pages linked where a manufacturer states the facts.
Checked 2026-11-14.

:CHECKLIST
The night before
[ ] Take every new device out of the box and plug it in to charge.
[ ] Write the Wi-Fi name and password on a card. It is usually on a sticker on the router.
[ ] Join Wi-Fi on each device. Look for the blue checkmark on an iPhone or iPad.
[ ] Sign in or create the accounts you will need (Apple Account, PlayStation, Nintendo, Microsoft).
[ ] Set parental controls and spending limits for children. Sony says its monthly spending limit default is 0.
[ ] Make one two minute test video call with the grandparent who will get a new device.

:CHECKLIST
Christmas morning
[ ] Gifts that are consoles: let the parent finish the child account first, then the child plays.
[ ] New iPad for a grandparent: make the text bigger first (Settings, Display & Brightness, Text Size).
[ ] Plan the family video call at a set time. The grandparent only taps Accept.
[ ] Keep the card with the Wi-Fi password by the router.
[ ] Agree a family secret word for scam calls about a grandchild in trouble.

:NOTE
Scams rise when people expect parcels and gift cards. Apple says it will never ask you to share your password or verification codes. Gift cards cannot pay bills or government fees. If a message rushes you, stop and ask a family member.

:LINK
https://support.apple.com/en-us/111107
Apple: Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone or iPad

:LINK
https://support.apple.com/108806
Apple: Use Screen Time to manage your child's iPhone or iPad

:LINK
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/ps5-parental-controls-spending-limits/
Sony: Parental controls on PlayStation consoles

:LINK
https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68322/p/989/c/868
Nintendo: Parental controls on Switch 2

:LINK
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102568
Apple: Recognize and avoid scams

:INFO
Not affiliated
Independent checklist written with AI help. Brand names are trademarks of their owners and are not endorsing this page. Tell us if a step needs fixing.

:CONTACT
What tech problem did we miss?
Send us a note and we will add it.

:LINK
https://slatesource.com/register?ticket=FIRSTHOURGUIDES2026
Make your own free checklist slate on Slatesource

:INFO
The idea
Most Christmas tech trouble is avoidable: a flat battery, no Wi-Fi password, a child account with no limits, an old person alone with a scam text. These steps are our suggestions, with official pages linked where a manufacturer states the facts.
Checked 2026-11-14.

:CHECKLIST
The night before
[ ] Take every new device out of the box and plug it in to charge.
[ ] Write the Wi-Fi name and password on a card. It is usually on a sticker on the router.
[ ] Join Wi-Fi on each device. Look for the blue checkmark on an iPhone or iPad.
[ ] Sign in or create the accounts you will need (Apple Account, PlayStation, Nintendo, Microsoft).
[ ] Set parental controls and spending limits for children. Sony says its monthly spending limit default is 0.
[ ] Make one two minute test video call with the grandparent who will get a new device.

:CHECKLIST
Christmas morning
[ ] Gifts that are consoles: let the parent finish the child account first, then the child plays.
[ ] New iPad for a grandparent: make the text bigger first (Settings, Display & Brightness, Text Size).
[ ] Plan the family video call at a set time. The grandparent only taps Accept.
[ ] Keep the card with the Wi-Fi password by the router.
[ ] Agree a family secret word for scam calls about a grandchild in trouble.

:NOTE
Scams rise when people expect parcels and gift cards. Apple says it will never ask you to share your password or verification codes. Gift cards cannot pay bills or government fees. If a message rushes you, stop and ask a family member.

:LINK
https://support.apple.com/en-us/111107
Apple: Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone or iPad

:LINK
https://support.apple.com/108806
Apple: Use Screen Time to manage your child's iPhone or iPad

:LINK
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/ps5-parental-controls-spending-limits/
Sony: Parental controls on PlayStation consoles

:LINK
https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68322/p/989/c/868
Nintendo: Parental controls on Switch 2

:LINK
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102568
Apple: Recognize and avoid scams

:INFO
Not affiliated
Independent checklist written with AI help. Brand names are trademarks of their owners and are not endorsing this page. Tell us if a step needs fixing.

:CONTACT
What tech problem did we miss?
Send us a note and we will add it.

:LINK
https://slatesource.com/register?ticket=FIRSTHOURGUIDES2026
Make your own free checklist slate on Slatesource