Christmas Eve Boxes

[DBN1]

Since when did they become a thing? I'd never heard of them before this year but they seem to be mentioned as if it's a normal part of the Christmas traditions.
Do you have these and if so, how long have they been part of your Christmas?

Not knocking at all, just genuinely curious.

[BikeRunSki]

I first heard of them about 5 or 6 years ago, on here. I have never done them.

[DBN1]

Aha, so is it originally a Mumsnet thing that's crept out of the hive and seeped into real life?

I'm also curious as to what goes in them, if anyone knows?

[Kez0777]

I've done one with a treasure hunt for about 7 years. It was more out of guilt though because I had to work Christmas Eve so left them something fun to do with their day.
I've had to carry it on though and it gets on my nerves 🙈 it's just another thing I have to do!
They mentioned getting an elf this year! I do not have tome in my life for a bloody elf!
Bah humbug [santa]

[Idontbelieveinthemoon]

My parents used to do us one as children so it's definitely not a new Mumsnet thing. Ours always contained a new pair of pyjamas, a book and a candy cane, they'd always be there under the tree when we got home from Christingle so I've continued the tradition with my DC because it's become habit.

[ShowOfHands]

It's not a MN thing. We've always done it in our family. The commercialisation of it is more recent.

[GreatDuckCookery6211]

Just another added expense and thing to worry about to keep up with your FB imo.

[TheCupboardUnderTheStairs]

We go to church instead.

If you got PJs and bedding and a mug why do you need the same again the following year?

[ShowOfHands]

Ours costs nothing btw, doesn't go on FB and isn't about gift giving. My DC also only get token gifts on the 25th really. You always have to justify this stuff on here or you're diluting the magic/have spoilt dc/are ruining Christmas.

[Namelessinseattle]

I did it for the first time last year, but I did it on December 1st and beasically got everything I buy for Xmas and lashed it into a bag. I’ve decided we’re doing like that in our house, get Xmas pjs, hot choc, box of sweets, advent calendars Xmas candles etc all that stuff to celebrate the season like an official start. It’s more of an impact than doing it in driva and drabs. Instead of a dvd I did an Xmas movie playlist for the 25 days with dubious choices like Harry Potter and die hard

[PiperPublickOccurrences]

They're not a tradition in this house and never will them.

I file them in the same "mindless consumerism" box with elves on shelves, 1st december boxes, wrapping your door with a tatty bow, changing christmas decorations every year, north pole breakfasts, special christmas bedding, disposable paper tableware....

[Namelessinseattle]

It’s a family box - not individual

[happypotamus]

I have never done this and hadn't heard of it until 5 years ago at the most. I do get DDs new pyjamas for Christmas Eve and claim that Father Christmas dropped them off early but I don't feel the need to get them anymore stuff the day before they will be given lots of presents. Also, it has just occurred to me that I am working 13hrs+ on Christmas Eve so won't see my children to give them anything (will instruct DH on what to do with the pyjamas and be grateful that this year I am at home on Christmas Day to see them open the rest of their presents).

[IggyAce]

As a child I always got new pjs on Xmas eve, I’ve carried that in for my children and I’ve always put them in a box along with some treats and reindeer food to enjoy on Xmas eve. So not new in our house, but some I’ve seen are ott.

[Kez0777]

Showofhands can I ask what you put in yours that doesn't cost anything? Would love some ideas.
In mine I put them new pyjamas (they would get these for Christmas anyway) a book, hot chocolate and marshmallows. They
Love to have a hot choc on Christmas Eve! It's not like I don't let them drink it through the year but to them it somehow seems more special. Oh to be 6 and 9 again

[icebearforpresident]

Can anyone here explain WTF a Christmas Eve plate is? Someone was looking for one of the local Facebook tat page the other day and I’m completely clueless.

[GreenTulips]

I've done this without the 'box label'

New PJs party food hot chocolate Christmas film.

Never felt the need to label it a Christmas Eve box - just family tradition

[itsbritneybiatches]

My daughter is only little. Five.

I heard about it on mn I think and we did it for the first time last year.

We had in it-

New elf pjs
Reindeer hot chocolate
New slippers
Christmas chocolates
Colouring book and pens
Santa magic key
Glittery bubble bath

[LettuceP]

We got given a Christmas eve box last year so I figure I may as well use it, I probably wouldn't do it otherwise though. I put a pair of pyjamas each, a sachet of hot chocolate each and some marshmallows, a Christmas book each, reindeer food and a key for Santa. And probably a gingerbread man or Christmasy snack of some sort.

[DBN1]

PiperPublickOccurrences what's a North Pole breakfast? Is it another thing that's totally passed me by?

[ShotsFired]

Honest to god, of all the days in the calendar, why would anyone provide a box full of gifts the night before the recipient gets a stack load more gifts? It's just mad consumerism and instagram living.

I think a much better idea would be to create a Christmas box and donate to the local foodbank or similar charty where a child may not get ANY gifts.

[sue51]

First time I've heard of it. Is it an American import like the elf on a shelf?

[madrose]

Mine is 13, she's always had new pjs and a story on Christmas Eve, so she looked half way decent for the photos on Christmas Day and we would read the story together Christmas Eve night. We send a picture of her opening a person's present as part of a thank you while she was wearing her new pjs.

We'll continue with new pjs - I sometime even treat the DH and I to some as well.

[Godowneasy]

What's a key for Santa please?

[DBN1]

Thanks for enlightening me Admittedly I've not lived in the UK for about 5 years now but I do still keep up with the newspapers and have plenty of friends there with children of all ages. I have genuinely never heard any of them mention these boxes.
I'm quite glad it wasn't part of our Christmases when my son was younger because I'd have probably done it, and stressed about the added expense!

[DBN1]

madrose it was usual in our family to get new PJ's for Christmas, not as a present, just something we always had, but they were just bought and kept for Christmas Eve to slob about in for most (sometimes all!) of Christmas day.