MNHQ HERE: What do you pack into a ‘Christmas Eve Box’?

@DuchessMustard So we must never discuss anything in case it makes some parents feel like they are under pressure? So let's not discuss the extra curricular activities our children do, let's not discuss if we send our kids to private school or where we are going on holiday in case it makes other parents feel inferior or rubbish. People have many traditions at Christmas and I'm not going to stop discussing mine in case someone is offended or pissed off by it. If you don't like the content then scroll on by..

Mumsnet were asking what we put in Christmas Eve boxes so if you don't do them or can't afford to then just ignore the post it's not difficult!

@Wilberforce1 Why do people comment on these posts if it makes them irrationally angry?! Let people do Christmas how they want ffs, no one is making you join in

Because it isn't just a random post. It's an official post from Mumsnet that is therefore prescriptive as well as descriptive. It's stating - this is a thing that parents do, & therefore that you as a parent are expected to do.

The stated aim of the site is to make parents' lives easier. That's supposed to be the guiding principles of the Talk guidelines.

Creating yet another load of expensive and/or time-consuming demands for parents (mostly mums, let's be honest) and yet again upping the expectations of what we are meant to do is not making parents' lives easier- quite the reverse.

Mumsnet is a very influential voice in parenting. It's absolutely right that people should speak out against this. It's insidious & unwelcome.

My dc are 15 and 12, never did Xmas Eve boxes til my Mum did one for them last year when we stayed there. To my surprise it was really popular with them to the extent they've insisted asked for one from me this year.

I've got Xmas themed blankets, Xmas scented candle, new hot water bottles in fluffy covers (needed this year) favourite chocolates, a rather large mug cake kit, DVD and board game.

wilberforce

Same!

Dd gets pjs for her birthday as well...she virtually lives in them so they get lots of use

Why do people comment on these posts if it makes them irrationally angry?! Let people do Christmas how they want ffs, no one is making you join in 🙄

We have bags with their names on and they have

*New pyjamas whether they need them or not because who can ever have too many pyjamas!

• Sachet of hot chocolate

• A bar of chocolate of some sort

• A new book each

That's it, nothing crazy but they love it!

Why do you think drama is important at school?

See, even before we did “the hamper”, dd had her stocking to lay out, used her plate and glass for Santa’s snack, would have a festive bath and a hot chocolate before reading the book.

So the only difference was putting it all together in a box and adding PJs (she would get a new pair in winter anyway so no extra expense). But putting it all together made it all feel like a lot more and a better signal about heading towards bed and sleep.

It’s like any “tradition” - whether Christmas, any other feast/festivals, or a regular family thing - do what suits YOUR FAMILY not what everyone else does.

We don’t go to Panto every year because while I enjoy it, there are enough other things we need to try and squash into the time.

We don’t do Elf on a Shelf (although I have put DDs teddies into various “having a party”, “bedtime story” or “getting up to mischief” scenarios once or twice in advent when she was small - just for a bit of fun - but not so much it got expected).

There is a lot you can do that is meaningful without spending extra money - my list of advent activities that I used to have to keep dd busy included making decorations (simple ones), baking cookies for the local fire station (always appreciated), getting DD to buy (ok a money one) something that she thought someone her age would enjoy for a local “giving tree”, winter walks in local woods, movie afternoon (dvd at home usually with microwave popcorn), and cleaning her room to get rid of toys and clothes that no longer fit or are too young for her now....

It depends what works for YOU and YOUR FAMILY, NO ONE ELSE. Sorry for shouting but lots of people seem to forget that part of sharing these traditions.

Never heard about this concept before.

Some people do it, some don’t. It doesn’t have to be ridiculously commercial.

I do it, but usually the same weekend as the tree goes up so they can wear their Xmas pjs and read the book during Dec. Mine usually includes:

Pjs
Christmas jumpers ( which I’d buy anyway)
No hot choc (controversial!)
Xmas book
New Xmas decoration
Cake / biscuit kit
Chocolate coins

Box itself is just a normal box - no personalised crates here.

Loopy -weeping!
I am really surprised to see this as an MNHQ thread. Like really surprised. Like hearing a friend you thought you knew drop a weird clanger at a party, and you think 'Wtaf!?'.
I'm afraid I'm in the urghhh camp. I know people say it doesn't cost anything, or that it's the same items that make a reappearance year after year. Good for you. My DC wouldn't be interested, but then they've recognised capitalism for the opportunistic, predatory beast that it is since they were wee, and are reluctant to participate in the consumerist aspects of the season. New stuff is problematic. Manufacturing is problematic. Every last bit of Christmas related gifting we indulge in is potentially problematic. If I had one wish, it would be for second hand items to be more broadly considered for gifting for the purpose of lessening the environmental impact of the season.

We do one box for the household. It's basically all about the DC winding down and heading for bedtime. They'll have hot chocolate and new PJs for the DC. Something nice to eat like mince pies or gingerbread biscuits for everyone. Maybe a Christmas DVD if there will be time to watch it. And - essential item! - some nice booze (maybe port) for all the adults.

It doesn't cost anything - I'm always going to give my DC new PJs in winter anyway I just hold on till Christmas to hand them over. All the other stuff I have in the house anyway over Christmas, I'm just presenting it in a box! Last year I used the hit chocolate from the cupboard and an old basket I've had a while.

It's a lovely thing to do, I was inspired by MN a few years back!

If you don't want to do it, don't! It's meant to be a nice bit of fun! And hardly commercial if you don't want it to be.

*Christmas pyjamas or any nice ones. Often HP Primark ones.

*Lush bath bomb

*Hot chocolate cone

Nothing. It's just another excuse for excessive consumerism, doesn't support the true meaning of Christmas and is yet more wife work.

I can't be bothered. It's just a racket for people to sell "personalized Xmas Eve crates" all over facebook every November. Bah, humbug.

One box for the family.

We reuse the following every year:
Father Christmas bath duck
Father Christmas flannel
How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD (1960s version)
'Twas the Night Before Christmas picture book
Hot water bottles
Torch each
Stockings

Bought each year:
Red Tinti bath colour sachet
New pyjamas for DC

We make gingerbread people in the morning on Christmas Eve then decorate the tree. We go to Christingle in the afternoon. The Kindness Elves leave the box whilst we are at church as a thank you for all the acts of kindness DC did in December.

We come back from church and watch the DVD eating the gingerbread people. Then we have a picnic dinner under the tree using the sledge as a table. Bath, pyjamas, stockings hung and picture book and bed.

Kindness Elves information:

https://theimaginationtreestore.com

Oh and we always do the rucksack project on December 1st - sleeping bag/hat/scarf/gloves/coat/socks/food items all in a rucksack donated to the local homeless charity.

Pyjamas, hot chocolate, DVD of Home Alone, Santa's plate, mince pie and miniature of whisky, carrots for the reindeer.

All recycled from last year and the year before and before that, apart from the mince pie, whisky and carrot.

We don’t do a Christmas Eve box, it’s more pressure added to parents over an already stressful time. And more expense.

We do drop off food bank items and warm clothes at our local homeless charity though.

Inflatable gran.
A very, very big box folded up very very small (or self inflating life raft/sleigh/grotto)
Little Christmas hats for all their favourite toys.

No, just no. Christmas is stupidly expensive as it is. Really no need for a new tradition of excess to make families who are less well off feel like shit when we can't provide it.

Presents are for Christmas Day. They get enough ( more than enough TBH) then. They don't need loads of extras the day before. Except PJs, but that is just so they are wearing them in any photos on Christmas Day morning and not with their arses hanging out of the old ones.

Copy of Wifework and a pop up Grinch.

Never did one. Why? Isn't Christmas expensive enough for most parents?

Pj's, hot chocolate, Xmas kinder egg and something to do together, after pj's are on. Last year, it was a small seasonal Lego set. They were a big hit, so may try and find another one, this year 👍