To not tell my children it's Christmas eve?

[MamaHechtick]

I have this idea, that for this year we won't tell DC's it's Christmas Eve. We don't do Christmas Eve boxes and they are usually disinterested in their advent calendars by mid December so don't really countdown as such. They will be 5 and 6.

My idea is they will get a good night's sleep, and I'm thinking that waking them up early and telling them it's Christmas morning will be a far bigger and exciting surprise.

Would I be unreasonable or mean for doing this? I think it's the only year we'd get away with it. We don't have any plans for Christmas Eve except a fairly quiet day with just us at home. Friends I've briefly discussed this with seem a bit off with it.

I wouldn’t! The build up is so exciting for children, don’t take that away from them.

Waiting for Santa is half the fun. I think it seems a bit mean.

Don't you put out milk and biscuits for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer, or track Santa online, watch a Christmas movie or read the night before Christmas?

It's not something I would miss out on but if you don't do anything at all then why not?

You can't do that. When I was a kid I was so excited for Christmas Eve. Trying to stay awake to see Santa, the excitement of the next day, don't take that away from them just so they get a good night sleep. Kids aren't kids for long, let them enjoy the build up and don't suck the fun out of it.

I think part of the excitement of christmas is Christmas eve. You struggle to sleep because your so excited! We also put out mince pies and milk for santa. I think you take part of the magic away if you don't involve them with Christmas eve but that's my view.

I would be astonished if a 5 and 6 year old were unaware of what day it was.

And yes it does seem a bit mean. It is so nice to see their excitement, put the mince pie out for Santa etc.

That isn't something I would do!

Surely plans for Christmas Eve would involve the excitement and anticipation of the next day? It seems a really bizarre thing to think of to me!

I agree with other PP’s - The build up creates the magic.

Surely they will know when it is as they will have Xmas stuff at school?!

We don't do Xmas eve boxes either, but we do a carrot, milk and a mince pie for the reindeer and Santa. Some presents are already under the tree from friends and DD knows to the day already how many weeks there are to go. Do your DC not get excited because you don't really bother with any "build up"?

Ooh no! Don't do this! Christmas Eve is just as magical and exciting if not more than the day itself. Films, new jammies, putting out mince pies and carrots. Twas the night before Christmas wasn't written for nothing!

It wasn't to be mean or anything, my thinking was just the surprise element of it being Christmas morning.
Last year, although they were younger they were both really difficult to get into the Christmas mood, we did the PJ's and Christmas film, leaving something out for Santa and the reindeer but there wasn't that excitement from them, maybe because they were younger? But I thought this may be an exciting surprise. Perhaps we'll do the Christmas Eve thing this year and they'll be excited.

Surely they will know its Christmas Eve? It will be the last day on their advent calendars and it will surely be mentioned on the TV.

My 5 year old will definitely know its Christmas Eve without me having to tell her!

I think to be told its Christmas morning without any warning might be a bit overwhelming and you might not get the reaction you are hoping for

I think your idea is both genius and a bit mean in equal measure op!
I totally get how not telling them would enable a better nights sleep so they wouldn’t be overtired on Christmas Day, however as other posters have said, the build up of waiting for Santa is part of the fun.
Personally I’d just suck it up while they’re young. The magic and over excitement of Christmas won’t last forever... I now have a moody sleep loving teen who would quite happily sleep till noon on Christmas Day!
I kinda miss the ‘magic’ of waiting for Santa and getting up at ridiculous o’clock to see if he’s been

I would be astonished if a 5 and 6 year old were unaware of what day it was.

This. There’s pretty much no way that two school aged children won’t know what day it is.

I’m not sure why waking up not knowing would be more fun than waking up and scrambling out of bed to see your presents.

I assume at least 1 is in school and will probably get their holidays the Friday before. They will know it is x sleeps till Santa when they break up for hols or at least mine always did.

Christmas eve is often the best part.

By far the craziest bit is you waking them up early!

Several times DS has slept later than me Christmas morning, I love the peaceful cup of tea in bed before the day unfolds!

No way I remember Christmas Evs as a child more than I do the actual Christmas Days, the anticipation, the excitement, it's all part of it. I think it would feel surreal and overwhelming to just wake them up on Xmas Day. Don't you do fun things on Xmas Eve itself? I'm almost offended by this post it's so bizarre to me haha (I am joking btw!)

But... but... but... Christmas Eve is THE BEST BIT about Christmas!!

I'd have been bloody gutted as a child to miss out on that wonderful sense of magic and anticipation, leaving a snack out for Father Christmas, etc. I can remember it so vividly and it was wonderful.

So for my personal POV YWBU!

from my personal POV not for

I think it's a bit mean. Kids look forward to it so much, and Christmas Eve is so exciting.

I always contend my parents did this when I was 3. I certainly was surprised when it was Christmas morning and I had presents to open. In fact, for years I was convinced they'd had Christmas in summer. they swear not.

It's mainly as I say that last year they just weren't that interested and we did do lots with them but neither were fussed.

Hopefully this year with school etc they will both be more excited and realise what Christmas Eve means.

I wouldn't.

Christmas eve is an exciting time.

At that age my children loved to help with the preparations.
Get the food things organised, find the crackers.
We would make biscuits for Santa, watch Norad, a christmas movie in the afternoon and read a christmas story.

And of course the ritual of hanging the stockings before bed, leaving out some biscuits for Santa, a carrot for Rudolph, .

The enjoyment of anticipation is too much fun to miss.

Christmas Eve is my favourite day too.