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

Drizzle this is my issue- I don't like 'Christmas themed' pj's for after Christmas, it doesn't seem right.

DD is nearly 2 and we were bought a Christmas Eve box as a gift to use every year... I plan to use it mainly so dd isn't missing out in comparison to friends (when she's older).

I'd much prefer a 1st Dec box as already suggested with things like pj's Christmas clothes / colour books for the whole of December. However box says 'Christmas Eve box' 🤣

When she's older I'll probably get pj's winter themed rather than Christmas themed.
I have brought from asda a pack of 2 pj's for £6 though so I can't moan. One pair will be used in December and a set saved for Christmas Eve.
Then all the Christmas/ Halloween/ pudsey clothes nursery encourage can go in the bin.. to a clothes bank actually.

And are they pyjamas with Christmas motifs? Do you wear them all year round, or only at Christmas?

Do We don't do boxes, but for those of you who do : do you wash the pyjamas first or do you wear them straight out of the packet?

I’ve never even heard of a Christmas Eve box! I can’t afford to do one either.

Much the same as PPs have posted, but it's now delivered by the elf on Dec 1 so includes the advent calendars and other Christmas themed stuff so the kids can make use of them in the whole lead up to it, so socks, colouring books, tickets to Xmas party/panto, chocolate coins, mini marshmallows, hot chocolate, etc.

If you're reading this and haven't tried the Christmas Eve box, or elf: DOOON'T do it! Definitely not that bloody little blighter elf. Bane of my life every night of December trying to think of somewhere new to put him. Novelty has worn off (for me)! But I've set the precedents now and they are traditions.
Thinking back to my childhood, there were no bells and whistles, just giddy, blissful excitement all focussed on the day itself with nothing to detract from it. I wish I'd kept it that way for my own children now. But it's tooooo late I'm stuck in a pit of expectation of my own making (I enjoy it really...it's just a bit 'much').

I think I'll give a bottle of water and call it snowman soup that would be more accurate 🤣seriously though I wish mn w ouldnt normalise these recent commercial in emotions as some kind of tradition

I did put forward an idea on an almost identical (but not MNHQ originated) thread that a Christmas Eve Box should be a collection of unused items and old toys, to be donated to charity after Christmas, thereby making room in our homes for the new gifts. Less consumerism, more charity.

I've never had a Christmas Eve box, I've never done a Christmas Eve box. Stop making it sound as though this is a long-standing tradition, it's not.

Never knew it was a thing.

Ex tends to get him new pjs each year though.

PJ's and a new tub of hot chocolate powder.
Our copy of Twas the night before Christmas
Some bubbles for the bath.

It gets opened after the crib service at church so is just a bedtime prompt really.

Hot chocolate, DVD, jammies, snacks,, sometimes a mug or Christmas decoration. Reindeer food, our Santa sign.

Seriously? Absolutely sweet fuck all.

Lots of opportunity for stuff the next day. Fond memories of Xmas jammies erc to wear on Xmas night. We don't need so much consumption imo. And so many can't in any case.

Are we the only family in the UK who don't get new pyjamas every Xmas?

No.
Or, if they need them, then they will be part of their Christmas presents, on Christmas day.

Are we the only family in the UK who don't get new pyjamas every Xmas? mine do but only because they've outgrown, or worn out, last year's. We don't do it on Xmas eve though; we wait until January when they're cheaper!

I couldn't get into that judgemental, spy'y little shite, the Elf

Me neither!

Are we the only family in the UK who don't get new pyjamas every Xmas?

I couldn't get into that judgemental, spy'y little shite, the Elf, but actually were mine younger, I can see how a Christmas Eve box/ thing might work; especially if it becomes a 'wheel it out, every year' thing (so you don't have to think about it!).

As an old lady, what I want is a reliable, traditional Christmas Eve church service, where I can attempt the highest notes of 'Oh come let us adore Him'.... always appreciated, me making that effort... 😂

Pjs
Fluffy socks
A bath bomb
Hot chocolate
Marshmallows
Festive mug
DVD Christmas themed
The under the Christmas picture from the previous year
Some kind of game (uno/ cards)
The Christmas plate and glass (for all of your mince pie and carrot needs)
And a pass the parcel gift. ( that we play just before bed, I've learnt that my family are very competitive, and we see who can buy the most random one)

Nothing. They get enough stuff the next day. It's just more stuff to spend money on.

Children are 20, 18 and 16...any 23 year old boyfriend of 20 year old

They are getting the following in their christmas eve sacks

Dressing gown or pjs
Christmas pants
Christmas socks
Giant chocolate coin
Gingerbread man or woman or santa
Book
Christmas themed shower gel

Never done one

A letter from Santa saying that you are proud of them and they are loved.
Magic key
Reindeer food
Snowman soup ( hot choc with marsh mellows)
Pjs
Book
''Twas night before Xmas poem'
Plate if you have one ( we do normal one with icing writing each year)
Popcorn & Xmas movie
Tree decoration

In the same box with name on each year

PJs.
Fluffy socks/ slippers.
Hot choc stirrer (the blob of choc on a spoon just add hot milk)
Popcorn.
DVD.
Book.
Snow globe/teddy/ornament.
Fav choc/sweets.

We time the xmas eve box with the departure of the elf. So we head out for a walk, I forget something, grab box, hide elf. When we all return later elf has left a goodbye note and the box.
New pjs
Bath bomb or novelty bubble bath
Chocolate
Night before Christmas
One year the elf included a disco light as his name is Disco.
I keep it simple, it's mainly to get them excited to have their bath and put pjs on.

New pyjamas
A christmas themed book
A family board or card game
Hot chocolate sachets
Marshmallows
Reindeer food
Santa's plate and milk bottle
Santa's magic key for the door as we don't have a chimney