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Original poster

Christmas Eve vs. Christmas Day

39 replies

Bobje · 02/12/2023 10:46

(Hah! Silly title I know, it’s not like they’re about to go three rounds in a boxing ring 😂)

Just a chat I was having with a couple of friends as to whether we preferred Christmas Eve or the actual day itself.

What are your thoughts MN?

OP posts:
LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 11:01

Eve is more exciting.

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/12/2023 11:01

Love Christmas Eve.

Dragonbed · 02/12/2023 11:02

I like both! Also love Boxing Day (or Lego and leftovers day as it’s known in our house!)

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Christmas Events & celebrations
StuffLoriThangs · 02/12/2023 11:04

I really like both. Christmas Eve is like the anticipation of Christmas Day. And Christmas Day is when you get to enjoy it.

Rhombus79 · 02/12/2023 11:28

We exchange presents on Christmas Eve, so of course that's the more exciting day. But Christmas Day is nice as well, lovely food and watching telly.

Daffodils234 · 02/12/2023 11:30

Christmas Eve, 100%. When the DC are asleep, the presents have been wrapped, the food is in the fridge and DH and I can just slob half asleep, munching on Christmas snacks, on the couch watching Christmas films. Personally, I find Christmas Day a bit meh because of all the build up and excitement to it.

hellswelshy · 02/12/2023 11:41

I love Christmas Eve, as we cook the turkey and the ham, so the house smells lovely and fragrant, everything seems cosy and exciting! We often watch A Christmas Carol and just enjoy the tree and lights 😀 Christmas day is fun although as we host MIL every other year, it's busier and less relaxing.

Drlate · 02/12/2023 11:51

Also love Christmas Eve. I love the build up to Christmas more than the actual day.

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 02/12/2023 11:56

As you can tell from my name, I am someone who breathes a huge sigh of relief when it’s all over! Find this time of year deeply depressing and would love to bugger off to hot ans sunny climes from 15th Dec - 1st Jan.

wishingiwas20something · 02/12/2023 12:04

Christmas eve all the way!

Beachywave · 02/12/2023 12:06

Love Christmas Eve! Especially this year because we're going to Longleat so I'm expecting to love the whole day better.

sixteenfurryfeet · 02/12/2023 12:07

I like them all, but Christmas Day evening swings it for me because the pressure's off! Everything is done, everybody's got their presents and they all got fed.

Managingwithlimitations · 02/12/2023 12:10

I love the 23rd. For me that’s the day of peak excitement/festiveness

None of the rushing of Xmas eve. Just anticipating the next 3 days it just feels like the best day - I think because when I was a child it was the day where dm had to pop out for ‘a few bits’ (last min gifts I now know 😂) and our dad would look after us and we would watch a film and have sweets or sit in the car somewhere listening to the radio while dm was in the shops then driving home seeing all the lights in peoples windows knowing the next day was Xmas eve ❤️

Dontcallmescarface · 02/12/2023 12:19

Me and DP have our Christmas "Day" on the 24th...presents, Christmas dinner the lot. December 25th is my birthday, so it's a draw in this house.

Theantsgomarchingtwo · 02/12/2023 12:21

Christmas Eve - the crib service at church is incredibly moving - I always end up shedding a few tears every year. The walk home in the dark with the twinkling lights, kids wrapped up and excitely bounding home, all the build up to father Christmas. I find it's just overall a very magical evening.

However christmas morning is also one of my favourite times - in our house there's lots of phone calls and a chance to speak to folk we don't normally have chance to do so. I love that the first thing everyone says is "merry Christmas!" 😃

lesdeluges · 02/12/2023 12:28

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 02/12/2023 11:56

As you can tell from my name, I am someone who breathes a huge sigh of relief when it’s all over! Find this time of year deeply depressing and would love to bugger off to hot ans sunny climes from 15th Dec - 1st Jan.

Me too, although that's not in the spirit of the thread I suppose! No kids here and although invited to any of the siblings and their broods that suits us, we've decided to leg it and go to Southern Spain from 18th Dec to 10th Jan. Yes a nice long break away from it all. I don't think they celebrate Christmas there to the same extent as here, although there is a big day on 6th January mainly for the kids, which we will go to for a day out!

LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 12:32

Managingwithlimitations · 02/12/2023 12:10

I love the 23rd. For me that’s the day of peak excitement/festiveness

None of the rushing of Xmas eve. Just anticipating the next 3 days it just feels like the best day - I think because when I was a child it was the day where dm had to pop out for ‘a few bits’ (last min gifts I now know 😂) and our dad would look after us and we would watch a film and have sweets or sit in the car somewhere listening to the radio while dm was in the shops then driving home seeing all the lights in peoples windows knowing the next day was Xmas eve ❤️

Yes! The 23rd is lovely with anticipation.

Girasoli · 02/12/2023 12:33

Draw between Christmas day and Boxing day. I always find Christmas eve a bit stressful as there is so much to do and then we always end up wrapping presents at midnight.

Girasoli · 02/12/2023 12:34

This year we are going to inlaws and I'm a bit disappointed about missing my nice relaxing boxing day!

mrsbitaly · 02/12/2023 12:35

We go to family on Xmas eve and it's absolutely manic but in a fun way. It's like Xmas day full of games, cake, cookie decorating, present opening, fancy dress.

Xmas day is calmer but an early start as I'm more excited than the children 😄

slumberlogmillionaire · 02/12/2023 12:39

I put Christmas Eve as I like the magical anticipation but these days Christmas day is nice but we are out of the house at family all day so these days I actually really enjoy Boxing day and the period between Christmas and New Year and after if we are still off work.

jesterdourt · 02/12/2023 12:41

As an adult I find Christmas eve a bit stressful as i’m always rushing to pick something up, wrap something up, seeing people etc. but the anticipation is exciting.

slumberlogmillionaire · 02/12/2023 13:05

@jesterdourt I always try and have everything done for Christmas Eve so I can relax and enjoy it although inevitably there is always something needing doing or I give myself a job like making mince pies or cooking an elaborate dinner which means I spend all day in the kitchen making a mess and all night cleaning it up!

idontlikealdi · 02/12/2023 13:21

Boxing Day is my favourite

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 02/12/2023 13:24

Christmas Eve is when we run and around organising, cleaning and cooking.

Christmas Day is when we relax and enjoy it.