To HATE the whole idea of Christmas Eve boxes

[TeeJay1970]

Don't kids get enough stuff on the 25th?

My nephews and niece now think it's their right to have gifts on the 24th as well.

Where does it end?

Yes I know AIBU!
Yes it's probably been done on here already in the last few weeks!

I do find it funny that people have been duped into making it a ‘tradition’ (?!) by a group of marketing execs, but then I suppose the same can be said for many things - De Beers and diamond engagement rings, etc.

Most of our shared traditions will have started like this. We're more aware of it now, but I'm sure there were pushy fir tree wholesalers and turkey breeders who spotted the opportunity and went for it.

De Beers is the best piece of marketing of all time. I am in awe of whoever masterminded that campaign.

I do find it funny that people have been duped into making it a ‘tradition’ (?!) by a group of marketing execs

I’m trying to work out who was doing the duping for my great-grandma. Mrs Beeton maybe?

I do find it funny that people have been duped into making it a ‘tradition’ (?!) by a group of marketing execs, but then I suppose the same can be said for many things - De Beers and diamond engagement rings, etc

I blame dickens

If he wrote a Christmas carol now i bet it would have elf on the fucking shelf

I think the reason why people get irrate about this is that it sets unreasonably high standards/ pressires.
Dd is already saying xy and z have gifts on xmas eve. All very lovely but for those of us who are hard up, its more expense and more work etc.... pjs ate lovely but dd already has umpteen pairs.

We didn't have Christmas eve boxes growing up but we did always get new pjs. I loved it. We've started the tradition this year of Christmas eve boxes but since we have Netflix etc we haven't bothered with the DVD - just pjs, slippers, hot chocolate and Christmas socks.

YANBU to hate it but equally others ANBU for doing it.

i think many people have the tradition of new pjs.or perhaps a mug for hot choc.or just a little thing that was never "a gift" when it become a present and then to excess is the problem as it was so the shops could sell us their boxes .and then comes expectation and pressure.it take the fun out of it being something "the family" just does together.
its like because some people leave out mince pie and milk for santa .that then there will be a special decorated cookie box with a special bottle of milk being sold on the shelves(oh god their probably is somewhere)

Here you are kate!

Blimey mine have forgotten about their Christmas bits by the time they go back to school! I don't show off on Facebook though. They have stuff I can't be bothered to drag 500 miles in the car and couldn't send ahead. There has been no one on this thread that has spent £40. Most have pajamas that are clothes they'd presumably buy anyway, some chocolate for a £1 or 2 and a second hand book!

Childrenofthesun oh god you got me now.i had to go look myself.im crying :D
here one for you too children.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Christmas-Santa-Cookies-and-Milk-Gift-Set-Childs-Christmas-Cookie-Plate-Set-/331688440898

YANBU OP. I can't afford to buy more random stuff on top of all the Xmas gifts, I've got enough to organised without adding to my extended to do list. Surely people can wait until Christmas Day for presents.

I'm doing new pjs from the 21st when ds finishes school,they Santa theme so I want a few days wear at least! Might get him an activity book or something fir Xmas eve but not feeling pressured into doing the box thing

I think it's up to each person what they would like to do. Of course, some families can't afford it, and are unable to do it and others who hate the idea. The elf on shelf idea is a fun idea adding to the magic, costing pennies.
Xmas eve boxes, either spend a lot and get one made, or simple cheap gift bag, with , hot chocolate, popcorn . Adds to the build up, and extra speacil the children. Who doesn't love new on for Xmas eve with clean bedding??? Most DVD are now £1 in poundshop and supermarkets or just movie on normal tv.
Mine always have a gift bag, with popcorn or sweets, pj and hot choclate and maybe a cup.
It's up to each person what family budget will do, but all comes down to planning! If your budget low, start of Jan sales, odd things add up.
I love the idea.

I do one but it’s just stuff they would be getting anyway. It’s just dressed up a bit in a box now. It’s new pyjamas, a Christmas cup and some Christmas themed arts and crafts and a selection box. Nothing expensive but I think it makes it seem a bit more special.

My dd always has new pjs on Christmas eve since long before Christmas eve boxes started. The reasoning is so she looked good in the photos taken Christmas day. She's 22 now and still has a new pair from me.

I can see a business opportunity in starting Boxing Day boxes! Next year, look out for them.

Do you know for everything Christmasy that someone on MN does there is someone who objects.

My Ds has the same Christmas mug with a sachet of hot chocolate. Pj’s if he needs them ( never Christmas ones) this year he is having a dressing gown and a book to read at bedtime. He used to get a craft activity but now past that age .

This isn’t anything additional .

Maybe we could all stop judging what others do for Christmas . That would be nice

My kids get new, non Xmas themed pjs left under the tree whilst they have dinner. These do them all year no problem, I usually buy the multi packs from Asda so they get a few pairs. We'll watch Elf and have a bath and early night. Only one child likes hot chocolate so no point, we don't even own The Night Before Christmas. No special snacks as they get special snacks at various points throughout December. So I spend maybe £14 each over 3 kids and those pjs all do them for the next year so not a waste at all. I don't do a specific box although I have a lovely wicker basket/picnic thing so may use that this year.

DH grew up with presents on the evening of Christmas Eve. Christmas Day was dominated by Mass and Christmas dinner.

Doing new pyjamas and a story (possibly slippers/ dressing gowns if DCs have a need of such things) is a nice nod to DH's upbringing, making a pleasant evening and buying things that the DCs need at some point anyway.

I do new pjs and they are Christmas ones which are then worn for rest of the year as any pair of normal pjs would be.

I suppose the same can be said for many things - De Beers and diamond engagement rings, etc

Exactly. And expensive wedding receptions and white wedding dresses, birthday cakes, candles & presents, commercially grown (and imported) flowers for Valentine's and birthdays and saying thank you or sorry. Halloween costumes and sweets, going abroad in the summer, etc etc

ALL of them are buying into the commercialisation of our lives, we're behaving in a prescribed way (and parting with money for it) at a certain time because It's the done thing.

We live in a capitalist, consumer culture, with Christmas at the centre of our worship of the "god" of money.

You could very well say it's all marketing bullshit!

In the middle of all that, I'm not sure why some hot chocolate and PJs should offend? At least they're practical, I guess?

we have new christmas socks on christmas eve :D

OP - Hate is a strong emmotion - especially seeing as it is someone elses children "demanding" these boxes.

Is social media spreading this crap? I never heard of elf on the shelf or Christmas Eve boxes before Mumsnet and Facebook.

tilly

My parents gave us a game to unwrap on boxing day

Ive carried that on with my children

I'm just hoping reindeer food dies due to the glitter backlash.