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Original poster

Christmas Eve boxes?

135 replies

Phycadelicsilhouette · 25/09/2019 12:09

Just wondered what people’s opinions are on the modern ‘tradition’ of ‘the Christmas Eve box’.
I’m no Scrooge, I love Christmas. The music, the lights, the light switch ons, the pantomime, the food, the board games ect ect.... BUT after jumping on the Christmas

OP posts:
Passthecherrycoke · 25/09/2019 18:23

Of course memories can be made. That’s why you start these traditions. All through December at home we had chocolate and cranberry porridge. If my parents hadn’t made the porridge it wouldn’t be a memory would it?

Sparklingbrook · 25/09/2019 18:23

It might be some of these DC getting the Christmas Eve stuff look back when they are adults and wonder why. Then vow to never start doing it themselves.

PersonaNonGarter · 25/09/2019 18:28

Naff AF and truly about making DC think Christmas = stuff.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
EmeraldShamrock · 25/09/2019 18:31

Then vow to never start doing it themselves
Very true.
Traditions and learnt behaviour both come from memories some are worth owning some are not.
My DM could never make an effort at Christmas she got depressed every year in December, I learnt to do the opposite. I want my DC to experience what I couldn't.
They can take the traditions or leave them as adults.

Sparklingbrook · 25/09/2019 18:37

Your poor Mum @EmeraldShamrock, did you find out why she was depressed in December? I don't think you can learn to not be depressed.

I am not a massive Christmas fan, every 2 years would do me but I would go through the motions with the aid of Wine some years.

lazylinguist · 25/09/2019 18:38

Making memories is self-indulgent wank. Memories can't be made. They just happen

Not really. If you deliberately do something that's memorable (exciting, unusual, fun etc), then you're more likely to remember it. I find the #makingmemories posts on social media as ugh as the next person, but that doesn't mean it's not lovely to do special stuff with your family that's worth remembering. And no, I'm not saying those are the only kinds of things that get remembered - lots are accidental too.

I don't do Christmas Eve boxes because it's not something that's a tradition in my family, but the complaints about it on MN are OTT and sometimes not even true.

American - nope
Expensive - doesn't have to be
Plastic tat - ditto

Sparklingbrook · 25/09/2019 18:39

I have to say I don't know anyone in RL who does Christmas Eve boxes, or admits to it anyway.

JLo1979 · 25/09/2019 18:53

This might sound a little tight but we only started on the Christmas Eve box when I was gifted a lovely box a couple of years ago. We always open new pajamas on Christmas Eve so that now goes in the box. Bought Christmas mugs another year and they are put in the box. Add a new pouch of chocolate chips now and we make hot chocolate after we come home from Christmas Eve mass and in our new snuggly pajamas. It does not need to be gifts but then it's up to every family isn't it?

IamWaggingBrenda · 25/09/2019 18:55

Americanised? I’m Canadian but have American relatives. I’ve never heard of the Christmas Eve box idea. Seems a bit over the top to me.

DuchessofManchester · 25/09/2019 19:02

I have to admit I'm thinking of doing an adult Christmas eve box for me and dh this year. (Runs and hides)
Bottle of red wine for him,champagne for me and posh chocs and cheese and crackers. Any other suggestions?

Deecaff · 25/09/2019 19:03

Load of crap and who needs new pyjamas every year and why can't all that stuff be in the ruddy xmas stocking.

HoldMyLobster · 25/09/2019 19:06

Bottle of red wine for him,champagne for me and posh chocs and cheese and crackers. Any other suggestions?

If this is what a Christmas Box includes then I am happy to announce - as an American - that we have after all been doing them for years.

Grin
SuzieBishop · 25/09/2019 19:10

The thing about things like Christmas Eve Boxes and Elf on the shelf etc is that the people who don’t like them might have a Live Laugh Love thing on their wall which I think is tacky as shit for example. Everyone’s different and can do whatever they want. I’m doing a Christmas Eve Box for the first time this year as DS is 2 and a half now so understands Christmas and Santa. I can’t wait to make it as magical as hell and go the whole hog and get Santa footprints for the garden path and reindeer food!

Ponoka7 · 25/09/2019 19:31

Deecaff
"Load of crap and who needs new pyjamas every year and why can't all that stuff be in the ruddy xmas stocking."

Children, who are a bigger size than last year. Not everyone does stockings. I didn't.

I did do a Christmas Eve gift bag, when my DD was two, 32 years ago. It would have the new Disney film, released for Christmas and the themed Pj's. As well as a craft and popcorn/sweets.

The contents changed as i had my other children, because of cable tv channels, recordable video etc.

I like other posters had an abusive childhood. I promised myself a good Christmas every year and still do. It isn't filled with stuff, we don't do Adult presents, we do Christmas themed days out.

The Adult Christmas Hamper is something that me and my youngest DD (22) already do. We throw in a Christmas themed horror film as well.

I hear lots of Adults describe the Christmas period as 'same shit, different day', but what do you expect if you don't plan something and make it happen.

Ponoka7 · 25/09/2019 19:37

" But I did December 1st boxes with pyjamas, Xmas jumper, advent calendar, Christmas activity books and panto tickets. I thought that was better as we actually got the use out of it and it's all things I intended to buy anyway"

One of my children were born on the Advent, so all that happened anyway. Except the Christmas Jumper, i don't go in for them, but wouldn't put down those that do.

My DH was Catholic so the Advent etc had their own Church led celebrations.

DrCoconut · 25/09/2019 19:40

Don't like it, though apparently opening a single gift on Christmas Eve is traditional in some areas of the uk?

EmeraldShamrock · 25/09/2019 19:43

Your poor Mum @EmeraldShamrock, did you find out why she was depressed in December? I don't think you can learn to not be depressed
Unfortunately not, she has always suffered with depression, December was the toughest for her when we were DC. Sad
She is lovely and sweet too so I still have many good memories stored except Christmas.

madcatladyforever · 25/09/2019 19:46

God isn't Xmas materialistic enough without Xmas eve boxes.
More consumerist tat forced on us to try and make us feel as though we aren't good enough and our children will be let down.
Humbug.
I've yet to see any family anywhere including born again Christians concentrate only on the meaning of the celebration and not the materialistic side.

Andylion · 25/09/2019 19:49

We throw in a Christmas themed horror film as well.

I'm intrigued. The only one I can think of is Black Christmas and its remakes.

Peachypips78 · 25/09/2019 19:50

I wouldn't call what we have a Christmas Eve box. We have new PJs each every year (only time we get them so they would only be bought at another point anyway) and popcorn or sweets. We then watch a bit of the BBC nativity film in our new PJs. Kids moan about that bit but we think it's important

Atlasta · 25/09/2019 20:20

Stupid idea.
We can all wear new pjs, drink hot chocolate and watch a movie all snuggled up in without a bloody Christmas Eve box.
The mum's I know who go down this route are only doing it to try and better each other in what their boxes contain.

MoodyBitch · 25/09/2019 20:29

I've never done a Xmas Eve box.
Unless it's a box of wine. Cheers 🍷

BroomstickOfLove · 25/09/2019 20:45

They are what you make them. I've been giving Christmas Eve boxes since mine were tiny to help them wind down when they were overexcited toddlers. We would go for a walk and return to find a box with a lavender bath bomb, new pyjamas, some tealights, cocoa from the cupboard, the Christmas stockings, a set of thank-you cards, a pen and some notepaper and a copy of The Grinch who Stole Christmas (with a couple of other books added as they got older).

They would have a bath, put on their pyjamas, hang up their stockings, write a letter to Santa Claus and leave out snacks for him and the reindeer, and then have a Christmas story by candlelight. Just ordinary things that they would have anyway, but made a bit more special to make the routine more appealing and magical.

They are tweens/teens now, but the only real difference us they've ditched the baths for showers.

Crinkle77 · 25/09/2019 20:48

They're awful.

ALittleBitAlexis · 25/09/2019 21:02

I always got pyjamas and a book on Christmas Eve (at 36 I still do!), I think that's a nice tradition but it's what I grew up with so of course I do.