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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate the idea of Christmas Eve hampers?

307 replies

leobear · 15/10/2013 14:57

I know, I know.....Scrooge! But surely the magic of Christmas Eve is the simplicity of it, and the anticipation of what is to come. A hamper is really a big box of presents, and feels to me like overkill. But maybe I'm just a misery guts!

OP posts:
HulaHooperStormTrooper · 15/10/2013 14:59

I am not sure I know what you mean?

YouTheCat · 15/10/2013 15:01

We don't do a hamper (though I quite like the idea). But we do all get new pjs and yummy snacks on Christmas Eve.

moondog · 15/10/2013 15:01

Not at all.
The obsession with buying crap and doling it out for days on end is as loathsome to me as you.
Why can't it just be about nice food and drink and having a nice time together?
Kids have enough although I don't begrudge them stuff and as an adult. Well, if oyu want it, just get it yourself surely?

Original poster
leobear · 15/10/2013 15:01

New (to me) trend of people making Christmas Eve hampers - I think Christmas pyjamas, hot chocolate, DVDs etc etc

OP posts:
wonderingsoul · 15/10/2013 15:01

i think it depends on whats inside.

bubble bath.. pjs, hot chocolate, dvd... bar the dvd i dont really class them as presents as such.. not do i count clothes for christmas unless theve asked for some expensive as prersents..but thats another thread

i think it helps them unwind and is alittle magical.

boxing day presents.. that i dont get. iv heard people in real life do these and i just dont get it.. boxing day is for slobbing around playing wwith yesterdays toys and eating left overs.

Original poster
leobear · 15/10/2013 15:02

Moondog, you put it so well! Grin

OP posts:
ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 15/10/2013 15:03

I want to do new Christmas PJs for us all on Christmas Eve and maybe watch a Christmas film (which will mean buying a DVD as we don't really have any). I wouldn't be giving any more presents, but don't some countries do presents on Christmas Eve anyway, rather than on the day?

derektheladyhamster · 15/10/2013 15:05

I'm lucky that my children are too old to start all of this. If we had hampers/christmas books/xmas bedding/elves etc they'd be sick with excitement by Christmas day! not to mention that there is no way we copuld afford all of this

CiderwithBuda · 15/10/2013 15:06

When DS was little I did new pjs, a DVD and a xmassy book on Xmas eve. Not a fully fledged hamper though.

I saw on another thread that someone was planning a hamper for 1st December too. I'm not getting that one!

Not sure i will even bother with an advent calendar for DS this year. He never finishes one.

Original poster
leobear · 15/10/2013 15:07

I suppose some countries do, Hopalong. I don't know why I find it objectionable, to be honest. But I would definitely call pjs and bubble bath presents, to be honest, and it feels a bit like an ongoing flow of stuff for the sake of it.

OP posts:
Ragwort · 15/10/2013 15:10

Well said Moondog - I so dislike the fact that so many Christmas celebrations seem to be just about the presents - and where on earth do people put all this new stuff? I can see the point of spreading out gifts - ie: a couple on Christmas Eve and a couple on Boxing Day but to get 'extra' presents to give on Christmas Eve seems OTT.

Although it's yet another thing that only seems to exist in Mumsnet Land - never heard of it in RL. Grin.

And why shouldn't clothes be Christmas presents? Confused

moondog · 15/10/2013 15:12

Never heard of it elsewhere either.
I'm thinking of putting a complete break on all presents this year, even though I have already whittled it down to about 10 people.
Neither do I want anyone to give me anything.

Apart from wine or flowers. Grin

PlatinumStart · 15/10/2013 15:12

I like the ongoing flow of stuff.

Not stuff for the sake of stuff but who can resist champagne, chocolate, new PJs and a DVD.

moondog · 15/10/2013 15:13

Could resist all of those quite happily bar the champers.
It is stuff in place of rituals.

PlatinumStart · 15/10/2013 15:13

Ooh and some Christmas candles....

PlatinumStart · 15/10/2013 15:14

And maybe a new cable knit throw for the sofa....

Coupon · 15/10/2013 15:16

I've never heard of Christmas Eve hampers. The magic of Christmas is the anticipation of Christmas morning. Do people have no patience any more?

PlatinumStart · 15/10/2013 15:17

In my opinion the ritual (early dinner together and snuggling on the sofa) is enhanced by the stuff.

If that makes me materialistic then I can live with that.

plus the kids always need me new pjs it's hardly the height of extravagance

JaquelineHyde · 15/10/2013 15:17

I hate it as well.

Our Christmas eve consists of visiting family, then a walk to look at the lights, home, hot baths or showers all round, a huge plate of bacon sandwiches, hot chocolate and a Christmas film.

I don't understand why people drag out days and days worth of Christmas gifts, for me its overkill.

Caitlin17 · 15/10/2013 15:17

What is Christmas Eve hamper? Never heard of it.

Original poster
leobear · 15/10/2013 15:18

I think I remember thinking it was quite magical to go to bed in your normal pyjamas on Christmas Eve, and maybe get some new ones under the tree. How times change, I suppose.

OP posts:
Coupon · 15/10/2013 15:18

wonderingsoul the name "Boxing Day" originates from presents in boxes.

Tailtwister · 15/10/2013 15:19

I've never heard of Christmas Eve hampers, but we usually have some new pyjamas for the children and watch a family film etc.

Original poster
leobear · 15/10/2013 15:19

Sorry, I think I just PMed someone by accident! Whoever it was, it was meant to be a post. Sorry!!!

OP posts:
PlatinumStart · 15/10/2013 15:19

As a child Santa's elves always delivered our stockings on Christmas eve. They would be pinned to the front door and the excitement we got checking the door every five minutes was second to none. It was part of the enormous build up. I have just built on that for me own DCs.

I'm not sure where my parents idea came from. They were pretty unsentimental and it's the only ritual I can think of from childhood.