to not know what a christmas eve hamper is?

[gymboywalton]

well? am i?????

would anyone care to explain??

If you think a new pair of PJ's and watching a new Xmas dvd on Xmas eve will detract from the excitement of the big day then you have easily pleased dc

I'm liking the Baileys idea, I might have to add one to our hamper this year all for me

I do one for DS, this years has: new Christmas mug with marshmallows and hot choc, box of microwave popcorn, popcorn holder, box of chocs, new pyjamas, Christmas DVD, and 2 Christmas books to read before bed. All things I'd have probably bought anyway, just giving them a day early makes the magic last a bit longer I think, otherwise Christmas Day just seems over so quickly!

YANBU.

I'd never heard of them until this thread either.

I have always given the kids new PJ's on Xmas Eve, but have never done the hamper thing. Seems a bit....OTT

There is no way on earth "most households" do a Christmas eve hamper! I know people who do the new Pyjamas, although this seems to be to some extent being spread as a "must do" by internet boasting... Of course lots of households have always left out mince pie and brandy, and possibly a carrot (or milk and cookies for the extra wholesome) on Christmas eve, and the tradition of watching a film as a family has probably become widespread over the last 40 or 50 years (presumably before that too few people had TVs, and at first it would have been whatever the BBC or ITV were showing as a family Christmas film) these things have been embroidered and expanded into hampers as people have had (despite the recession) more disposable income and things have become cheap enough to give multiple presents. Certainly it is (for the most part) a recently invented, or at recently growing "tradition".

We live in Germany and do Christmas the German way, with presents magically appearing during dinner on Christmas eve - no need for any hampers :)

I'm another one who has never heard of this anywhere except MN.

Oh ok, i didnt know either. Weve always done that but not called it a hamper

In fact I've never heard of the new PJs thing anywhere except MN either. I have bought a couple of Christmas DVDs this year (because I want to watch them), but we will be getting them out over the next couple of weeks so hopefully we actually watch them, never seem to sit down in front of the telly on Christmas Eve.

News to Me.

I don't think people are threading MrsDevere I think it's idle pondering...

• fretting - not sure where threading came from!

YABU because I love our Christmas Eve hampers, tweeness & all.

I don't fret about what other people do, but sometimes something comes out on here that makes me feel like a child shocked that someone's served them fishfingers with ketchup because that's never happened at home.

I'd honestly never heard of the whole concept of a Christmas Eve Hamper until a week ago. How have I not noticed something that is obviously pretty commonplace? You don't all have New Year's Eve gift boxes with new calendars in do you?

right. never heard of them before but its a lovely opportunity to buy more jamas for grandbaby. can't have too many jamas.

I had never heard of this tradition until reading threads here on MN. Receiving new pyjamas on Xmas Eve? Yes, that one has been around for many years. But a hamper? Nope, never heard of it.

One thing I can tell you with absolute certainty: this is not an American import. In the US the word "hamper" is associated almost exclusively with dirty laundry.

We do one.
But it's full of things that get used year after year, the special plate and cup for Santa, DC's special Christmas mugs, the jar for reindeer food(made it last year and will refill to use each year) copy of twas the night before Christmas. DVD of the muppets Christmas carol.
I usually know which of the relatives have bought them jammies, so I add that present in to the hamper.
The only things I actually buy to add to it are glitter sugar for the reindeer food, hot chocolate powder and bubble bath.

It's waiting by the fire when we get home from our walk around 4pm, so we put the DVD on, have dinner, put out the reindeer food, have bath, jammies on, mince pie and jack Daniels (cos thats his favourite) out for Santa, carrot for the reindeer, have a hot chocolate whilst reading the book and its off to bed for 7ish.

Then DH and I will get everything organised for the next day, then have a few drinks, watch a movie and relax. Can't wait.

Phew, no need for new pj's for xmas morning photos. I insist on my children being fully dressed, breakfasted and teeth brushed before a present is even sniffed at

adults also need to be showered, dressed and fed!

That's why you wash the new pyjamas! I would. By the way do you all actually have a hamper? Or a box? Or a washing basket?? Or. . ? Cant decide if i like this idea or not!

That's why you wash the new pyjamas! I would. By the way do you all actually have a hamper? Or a box? Or a washing basket?? Or. . ? Cant decide if i like this idea or not!

Do people wash new clothes?

New pj's only here.
Yes definitely washed, have you never been in stock rooms? Yuk

Eeew, you mean ... rodents?