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Original poster

Did you get a Christmas Eve box as a child?

220 replies

purplertwirl · 16/12/2023 22:03

I didn't, no new pjs, chocolates or anything like that. Basically nothing given on Christmas Eve.

My DS is 4 and I've done him a Christmas Eve box for the last 3 years. It's always pyjamas, a Christmas themed book, sweets, a mug etc. Not much really but it still costs, and I'm starting to think it might be a bit excessive on top of the cost of everything else.

I'm wondering, why/when did these become a thing? I'm 26 so my childhood wasn't "that" long ago, but now it's pretty much the norm 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 16/12/2023 22:51

Born in the 70’s. I always opened new pjs on Christmas eve.

Bobbybobbins · 16/12/2023 22:52

No but we were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve

mumda · 16/12/2023 22:53

No.

Pillowcase full of presents on Christmas morning.

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Hedgehoglover · 16/12/2023 22:53

No not a thing late 60s in my neck of woods.

Chalkdowns · 16/12/2023 22:56

No. Child of the 80s / teen of the 90s

don’t get sucked in to this consumerism. Make Christmas Eve traditions that don’t involve spending.

we Alway had the same story read to us.

SinnerBoy · 16/12/2023 23:01

jay5 · Today 22:50

We were only allowed stocking gifts before lunch.

It was similar for us, but mid morning, once all the adults had been up for breakfast.

We didn't have a box, which I've only heard about this week. My dad would usually get a box of Clementines and some nuts and we'd have a couple on Christmas Eve.

We didn't get stockings until I was 6 and my eldest sister asked about them. (1976).

DottieMoon · 16/12/2023 23:01

I’m mid thirties and didn’t have any growing up. I only heard about them on MN in the last year or so and don’t really see the point in them. My DC don’t get them either, we usually watch a Christmas film followed by hot cholocate/warm milks then the leaving carrot, mince pie and milk and for Santa/reindeer before bed. I don’t feel we need to do a Xmas eve box. With stockings and presents on Xmas day, it’s defintely enough!

Naptrappedmummy · 16/12/2023 23:04

Nope. I think the sparkle is being taken off special events with endless gifts and treats tbh.

ExpensiveDecorations · 16/12/2023 23:04

Never heard of it in real life only on MN. We've never even done pyjamas for Christmas Eve, if they are given its as a normal present on Christmas Day.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 16/12/2023 23:09

No, but my dad always bought me a book to read on Christmas Eve. I was a swotty, bookish kid, and I think it was to keep me out of everyone’s hair!

miniegg3 · 16/12/2023 23:10

We used to be allowed to choose 1 present to open on Xmas eve

NannyGythaOgg · 16/12/2023 23:12

My kids were born in '77 and'78.

Once they were old enough to be excited about Christmas they had new pyjamas on Christmas Eve and were 'allowed' (given) one present on Christmas Eve. There was then a Stocking (one chocolate, a brazil nut (unshelled so ???) and a small present, for when they woke up.

The rest of the presents (in a pillowcase) were for when we were all up and had breakfast

DappledThings · 16/12/2023 23:12

Even lots of people who don't do an actual box say they give new pyjamas and have hot chocolate and say that's been around for years. I've never had an association between Christmas and hot chocolate and pyjamas.

None of the things people say they put in these boxes or give anyway are anything I've ever done.

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 16/12/2023 23:14

of course not.

although I'm sure there are several MNers who'll swear their great-grandmother Edith, born in 1887, received one every Christmas Eve.

RaininSummer · 16/12/2023 23:14

Ha ha not in my day and advent calenders had pictures behind the doors.

menopausalmare · 16/12/2023 23:15

No. Born in 1973 and money was tight.

OceanicBoundlessness · 16/12/2023 23:15

No. Some families got new PJ's but we didn't. It makes sense for the photos the next morning.

For our kids we did a little basket with new PJ's, sometimes a new game to play and sometimes a Christmas dvd to watch. Just things to make Christmas eve calm. The games always came from the charity shop.

With teenagers they get new PJ's because it's our tradition now and they don't want to play blasted games or watch dvds with us any more. Though often they're just bottoms rather than a set.

00100001 · 16/12/2023 23:16

qpdlurgak · 16/12/2023 22:27

Mobile phones weren't a thing when I was a child (well not universally!) Social media wasn't a thing when I was a child. We didn't have air fryers. Electric cars. Spotify. Amazon.

You catch my drift. The world changes. No one is saying you HAVE to do it, but equally, just because something has become popular today, by social media or otherwise, doesn't mean it is inherently immortal or unnecessary. Anyone banging on about IN THEIR DAY and calling people lemmings are just being reverse snobs. I don't know why anyone gives a shit what anyone else is doing.

There's innovations that make life easier, dishwashers, robot vacuums... Amazing. All for them.

And then there's innovations which just make more work and more expense for families see..north pole breakfast, 1 December boxes, multiple expensive advent calendars, elf on the bloody shelf, Christmas Eve boxes, elaborate winter wonderland visits and all the crap that is spread by social media because "everyone is doing it" and you don't want your kids to miss out, or feel like you're letting them down or they're asking about why they didn't get visited by the elf, so and so got a December 1st box which has all sorted in it etc.

Not everything new is good.

stepintochristmas1 · 16/12/2023 23:16

qpdlurgak · 16/12/2023 22:27

Mobile phones weren't a thing when I was a child (well not universally!) Social media wasn't a thing when I was a child. We didn't have air fryers. Electric cars. Spotify. Amazon.

You catch my drift. The world changes. No one is saying you HAVE to do it, but equally, just because something has become popular today, by social media or otherwise, doesn't mean it is inherently immortal or unnecessary. Anyone banging on about IN THEIR DAY and calling people lemmings are just being reverse snobs. I don't know why anyone gives a shit what anyone else is doing.

That's new technology to make lives easier though .Christmas Eve boxes came from nowhere to put more pressure on parents who've already worked hard saving and preparing for Christmas .

chineapplepunks · 16/12/2023 23:18

It wasn't in a box but everyone christmas eve we got new pyjamas, a book, a dvd and some chocolate.

RufustheFactualReindeer · 16/12/2023 23:20

Ive been doing a Christmas eve ‘box’ for about 16 years

i don’t know anyone else who did it back then

Paintmybathroom · 16/12/2023 23:21

Nope. But did always get new PJs for Xmas eve.

stepintochristmas1 · 16/12/2023 23:22

@00100001 Ha snap 😁!

purpleme12 · 16/12/2023 23:22

No I didn't.

But neither do I give my child one either.

Mind you we were allowed to open one present on Christmas at dad's. But then we had quite a few presents at dad's so I could see could afford that!

RufustheFactualReindeer · 16/12/2023 23:23

Actually thats not strictly true ds1 got a book on Christmas eve from about 3 so more like 21 years

i put more stuff in the ‘box’ for about 16 years