To hate the idea of Christmas Eve hampers?

[leobear]

I know, I know.....Scrooge! But surely the magic of Christmas Eve is the simplicity of it, and the anticipation of what is to come. A hamper is really a big box of presents, and feels to me like overkill. But maybe I'm just a misery guts!

[HulaHooperStormTrooper]

I am not sure I know what you mean?

[YouTheCat]

We don't do a hamper (though I quite like the idea). But we do all get new pjs and yummy snacks on Christmas Eve.

[leobear]

New (to me) trend of people making Christmas Eve hampers - I think Christmas pyjamas, hot chocolate, DVDs etc etc

[moondog]

Not at all.
The obsession with buying crap and doling it out for days on end is as loathsome to me as you.
Why can't it just be about nice food and drink and having a nice time together?
Kids have enough although I don't begrudge them stuff and as an adult. Well, if oyu want it, just get it yourself surely?

[wonderingsoul]

i think it depends on whats inside.

bubble bath.. pjs, hot chocolate, dvd... bar the dvd i dont really class them as presents as such.. not do i count clothes for christmas unless theve asked for some expensive as prersents..but thats another thread

i think it helps them unwind and is alittle magical.

boxing day presents.. that i dont get. iv heard people in real life do these and i just dont get it.. boxing day is for slobbing around playing wwith yesterdays toys and eating left overs.

[leobear]

Moondog, you put it so well!

[ifyourehoppyandyouknowit]

I want to do new Christmas PJs for us all on Christmas Eve and maybe watch a Christmas film (which will mean buying a DVD as we don't really have any). I wouldn't be giving any more presents, but don't some countries do presents on Christmas Eve anyway, rather than on the day?

[derektheladyhamster]

I'm lucky that my children are too old to start all of this. If we had hampers/christmas books/xmas bedding/elves etc they'd be sick with excitement by Christmas day! not to mention that there is no way we copuld afford all of this

[CiderwithBuda]

When DS was little I did new pjs, a DVD and a xmassy book on Xmas eve. Not a fully fledged hamper though.

I saw on another thread that someone was planning a hamper for 1st December too. I'm not getting that one!

Not sure i will even bother with an advent calendar for DS this year. He never finishes one.

[leobear]

I suppose some countries do, Hopalong. I don't know why I find it objectionable, to be honest. But I would definitely call pjs and bubble bath presents, to be honest, and it feels a bit like an ongoing flow of stuff for the sake of it.

[Ragwort]

Well said Moondog - I so dislike the fact that so many Christmas celebrations seem to be just about the presents - and where on earth do people put all this new stuff? I can see the point of spreading out gifts - ie: a couple on Christmas Eve and a couple on Boxing Day but to get 'extra' presents to give on Christmas Eve seems OTT.

Although it's yet another thing that only seems to exist in Mumsnet Land - never heard of it in RL. .

And why shouldn't clothes be Christmas presents?

[moondog]

Never heard of it elsewhere either.
I'm thinking of putting a complete break on all presents this year, even though I have already whittled it down to about 10 people.
Neither do I want anyone to give me anything.

Apart from wine or flowers.

[PlatinumStart]

I like the ongoing flow of stuff.

Not stuff for the sake of stuff but who can resist champagne, chocolate, new PJs and a DVD.

[moondog]

Could resist all of those quite happily bar the champers.
It is stuff in place of rituals.

[PlatinumStart]

Ooh and some Christmas candles....

[PlatinumStart]

And maybe a new cable knit throw for the sofa....

[Coupon]

I've never heard of Christmas Eve hampers. The magic of Christmas is the anticipation of Christmas morning. Do people have no patience any more?

[PlatinumStart]

In my opinion the ritual (early dinner together and snuggling on the sofa) is enhanced by the stuff.

If that makes me materialistic then I can live with that.

plus the kids always need me new pjs it's hardly the height of extravagance

[JaquelineHyde]

I hate it as well.

Our Christmas eve consists of visiting family, then a walk to look at the lights, home, hot baths or showers all round, a huge plate of bacon sandwiches, hot chocolate and a Christmas film.

I don't understand why people drag out days and days worth of Christmas gifts, for me its overkill.

[Caitlin17]

What is Christmas Eve hamper? Never heard of it.

[leobear]

I think I remember thinking it was quite magical to go to bed in your normal pyjamas on Christmas Eve, and maybe get some new ones under the tree. How times change, I suppose.

[Coupon]

wonderingsoul the name "Boxing Day" originates from presents in boxes.

[Tailtwister]

I've never heard of Christmas Eve hampers, but we usually have some new pyjamas for the children and watch a family film etc.

[leobear]

Sorry, I think I just PMed someone by accident! Whoever it was, it was meant to be a post. Sorry!!!

[PlatinumStart]

As a child Santa's elves always delivered our stockings on Christmas eve. They would be pinned to the front door and the excitement we got checking the door every five minutes was second to none. It was part of the enormous build up. I have just built on that for me own DCs.

I'm not sure where my parents idea came from. They were pretty unsentimental and it's the only ritual I can think of from childhood.