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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To HATE the whole idea of Christmas Eve boxes

400 replies

TeeJay1970 · 16/12/2018 19:40

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!

OP posts:
Canibuildasnowman · 16/12/2018 20:01

YANBU. There’s no surer way of making children unappreciative and spoiled than giving them endless stuff. The more they get the less value individual gifts have.

LilMy33 · 16/12/2018 20:01

My grandad started giving out goodie bags on Christmas Eve over 30 years ago for all his grandchildren. Contained sweets, sticker/colouring books, maybe Christmassy socks or something. Nothing expensive anyway. I think it was meant to keep us all busy so we kept out of the adults way when they were trying to get stuff done.

I do my own for my children that contains sweets, the night before Christmas book (same one since eldest was 2), plate to put Santa’s snack on (ditto) and reindeer dust. Nothing expensive or OTT. But I can’t get worked up about what other people do in their families.

Thesearmsofmine · 16/12/2018 20:01

Christmas pjs are worn all year here!

secretsoutherncomfortdrinker · 16/12/2018 20:02

I don't see what everyone's problem is, if you don't like it don't do it.

I've always given mine a Xmas eve box/present, my mum used to do the same and I'm 32.
It was usually new pjs or dressing gown and it used to help us get over the excitement of not being able to sleep because we wanted to open our gifts.

In my dcs box they get new pjs a book, hot chocolate, their Santa plates, Xmas cup which they use all day and their Santa key.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 16/12/2018 20:02

It's just another excuse for the Facebook mums to upload a photo to make their lives look perfect when in reality, their scared of the debt they've got to pay off in the new year due to the amount of money they've spent on s#*t their children don't even like.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 16/12/2018 20:02

Grin at Rufus' elf.

MrsStrowman · 16/12/2018 20:02

@SnuggyBuggy you know just because you get new PJs at Christmas they don't have to have Santa on them and can be worn all year... DS's for this year have polar bears and penguins, so wintery rather than christmassy but he'll outgrow them before spring

Lovelydovey · 16/12/2018 20:03

We do new PJs (which they wear all year) and a book to read before bed.

Hadjab · 16/12/2018 20:03

We’ve been doing new pyjamas for 24 years, my kids love it.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 16/12/2018 20:03

missfliss

Took me ages to find a little hat for him

whatamessitalis · 16/12/2018 20:04

We do Christmas boxes. PJs, hot chocolate & marshmallows and a DVD. Possibly a token something for the grownups if we're staying with relatives (eg booze).

It's a wind-down for the evening kit, basically. It has a totally practical function, It's not just an excuse for more gifts

Crookedcolours · 16/12/2018 20:05

All I do on Christmas Eve is selection boxes, book, pyjamas and magazine

SnuggyBuggy · 16/12/2018 20:05

@MrsStrowman, that sounds more sensible. I wouldn't object to some wintery pjs.

blackteasplease · 16/12/2018 20:05

Surely to goodness they carry on wearing the pjs all winter?

missfliss · 16/12/2018 20:06

It's just another excuse for the Facebook mums to upload a photo to make their lives look perfect when in reality, their scared of the debt they've got to pay off in the new year due to the amount of money they've spent on s#t their children don't even like.*

Mine quite likes pyjamas actually. And hot chocolate. And popcorn.

joking aside though I know I am very fortunate that this doesn't require getting into debt. However it can't be THAT hard to believe surely that we do it to make our kids smile?

PatchworkElmer · 16/12/2018 20:08

My Mum did one for DS last year (he was only 1!)

To be fair, it was quite sensible- PJs, a Thomas the Tank DVD, and a lovely snuggly blanket. They’ve all had lots of use (I’m under the blanket now).

I actually don’t mind the PJs thing- they’ll always get use, surely?

Mrschainsawuk · 16/12/2018 20:08

Mine contains pj's hot chocolate reindeer dust and a book cost is less then £10

SnuggyBuggy · 16/12/2018 20:08

I'm just cynical of buying anything and everything Christmas themed. Cushions, bedding, door mats, plates, curtains etc. Surely you would just have them taking up loads of space storing them the rest of the year.

Oblomov18 · 16/12/2018 20:09

Don't like the idea. Same as elf.

Togaandsandals · 16/12/2018 20:09

When I was a child in the seventies, my dear Nan used to moan we got far too much. The next generation will be moaning too when they grow up..

Aria2015 · 16/12/2018 20:09

I quite like them. We do little bits for the whole family, usually chocolates, some xmas pj's for lo and a Christmas book. Not full on presents. My lo is young so doesn't really expect anything yet. I love xmas and i just see it as an extra thing to get the excitement building. We didn't have them when I was young but we were allowed to open a single gift from under the tree each night a few nights before xmas. So it's not a world away from that. Different strokes for different folks I guess!

Santababyclaus · 16/12/2018 20:09

Xmas eve was always quite a big deal in my house when I was a child. We'd have certain food (mostly treat food) and watch a Christmas film (on video). We didn't have special pj's but a lot of the stuff that I understand people put in the boxes I suppose we had such as a can of fizzy drink, some chocolates, we'd have a bath (so a bath bomb?) so it would to some extent be my 'tradition'. I just don't see why it's necessary to buy and present it in a box. I always have a Xmas Angry face when I walk around asda seeing cardboard boxes being sold for £2 as Xmas eve box, especially the one labelled 'first xmas' what's the bloody point?

However, I think Xmas eve boxes are better than toy advent calendars and the book advent (a new book every day for 24 days). What's special about opening up Xmas presents on the 25th if you've been opening and receiving a new toy/book, perhaps both for the past 24 days??

Togaandsandals · 16/12/2018 20:10

Duh, sorry I didn’t read the title, thought it was a general criticism!

Princess28 · 16/12/2018 20:11

I’m 38 and we never had much money but we always got pjs and a new outfit for Christmas Day on Christmas Eve. We were also allowed to open 1 present from under the tree. My DH was horrified that we could open a present from under the tree but always got pjs and a gift on Christmas Eve so that is why we do Christmas Eve boxes for ours. Pjs, reindeer food, plate to put the mince pie on, a puzzle and book that come out every year and a dvd. I can’t see what is to hate about that?

driggle · 16/12/2018 20:13

I did it for two years when DS was 3 and 4 before giving up. The second year I did it we were late home and then there was a rush to get the chuffing Christmas Eve box out, put a DVD on and drink hot chocolate right before bedtime. Plus I felt like it was a present in itself and I'd rather save them for Christmas Day. Now I just get the reindeer food and Santa's key out before bedtime when we leave the mince pie out. We watch Christmas movies in the weekends leading up to Christmas. And DS gets new Christmas PJs on December 1st.