To think Christmas Eve boxes are absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary?

[dressinggownwearer]

Just that really. Do children not get enough at Christmas without giving them even more the day before?! What are Christmas Eve boxes even for/full of that can't wait until Christmas Day?! Am I being mean and a grinch or do people agree?

We get Christmas themed pj when we do the Christmas tree.
Christmas Eve box has new pj to wear on Christmas Eve (not Christmas themed) popcorn, hot chocolate, reindeer dust, and Christmas movie (last 2 don’t get now as no longer have a believer and watch one on the tv)

this is a popular topic! I didn't expect this many replies!!

Are you new here?

Yup. Total bollocks. See also Elf/shelf.

Oh and I also have a massive box that gets brought down on 1st Dec. It includes:
Advent calendars
Advent candle
The elf
All the Christmas books we’ve collected over the years
Letter writing kit to Santa
Various random Christmas mugs and plates that again have been amassed over the years
A few Christmas craft sets that I’ve generally picked up in the jan sales
I’m sure there’s other bits and bobs in there I’ve forgotten about.
The kids love diving into this on 1st December. However very little is actually bought each year new for it.
I love the idea upthread of including the tickets for our Christmas Day our so I may add that in this year too.

We always read the Night before Christmas

I was wondering how long it would be before the mumsnet standard of middle-class, culturally superior and anti-consumerist Christmas traditions was proudly paraded.

Surprised it took this long tbh.

Do much stuff at all times. We are drowning in crap
I hope in the future, when there are no resources left for a basic standard of living, they are warmed by memories of the crap they got in their youth

Are you new here?

🤣🤣🤣

I’m just so delighted for a bit of normality.

Now who wants a shoes on, shoes bunfight?

We don’t do it - or Christmas-themed pjs/bedding/slippers, etc... DS (6) is excited enough during the build up, he’s got an advent calendar, we have Christmas dvds he might watch, and we do a lot of crafts. I think I’m of the mind he should open surprises on the day itself, and (to me) it just seems like a lot of “I get”. I’m an atheist but I think a few of my friends think I’m almost puritanical in the way I treat Christmas , we make an extra effort to discuss and give towards the less fortunate at this time.

But I do like seeing people’s boxes they’ve made, because I think it’s perfect for sending to loved ones elsewhere.

We do the new pjs, but I have to get them new winter pjs at some point anyway. I just get them at Christmas! They are not necessarily especially Christmassy, just ones I think they would like - but even if they are Christmassy, they get worn as normal pjs until they're grown out of. So not wasteful. I agree that we should be trying to minimise consumerism and waste.

@alreadytaken

children are spoilt now, that is not a good thing. Your "christmas tradition" can put pressure on other families to increase consumption and that puts the future of the planet, so every child's future, at risk.

We always read the Night before Christmas and watched a Christmas movie - no spend, no ramping up consumption every year.

This isn’t true. You make your budget, you stick to it. Why do you feel the need to dictate to others what they do? People go to the pantomime as a Christmas tradition, should they also stop as some people can’t afford the cost of live shows?

I’ve posted my DS wish list. He’ll get both and probably something else as his wish list came to £12. He’s ten. How is he spoilt?

The Christmas Eve box is one of our favorite parts of Christmas.
I put in character pjs
Character pants
New toothbrush and toothpaste
Bath bomb
Christmas books ( we use the same every year)
Santa cup and plate ( same every year )
Gold coins
An activity / craft
Reindeer food
A new Christmas decoration

The Christmas Eve box is from us. The stocking and presents the next day are from Santa

I do November 30th, xmas pj's, advent calendar, bedding or a blanket, maybe a few other bits of shite too.

In our house we just put a stick in a pot and hang a bauble on it (just the one, obviously...that we've had for 20 years). The kids get a crossword cut out of the paper, a recycled pen and a satsuma. Ah the joy on their little faces. Anything else is pure commercialism/Americanisation/waste/Extravagance (delete as applicable)
These attempts at funny hyperbole are so tiresome. They are completely meaningless and don't add anything to the debate at all. No one here is talking about giving the kids a mouldy satsuma for Christmas ffs.

@TheKeatingFive

Are you new here?

🤣🤣🤣

I’m just so delighted for a bit of normality.

Now who wants a shoes on, shoes bunfight?

It's lovely isn't it. I'm getting all giddy about the Elf on The Shelf threads now, and Piles of Xmas presents on social media threads....makes me feel there is some normality back in the world.

The glint on some poster's halos is a little blinding though.

We also have Christmas bed clothes that go on from 1st December and we do elf on the shelf , advent calendars , Christmas days out , Christmas crafts.
I absolutely love Christmas and this year especially is a time to go all out

We don't do boxes but they each get a new pair of pyjamas.

I'm getting all giddy about the Elf on The Shelf threads now, and Piles of Xmas presents on social media threads

Bring it ON.

I’m ready.

To be fair I didn't say it was mouldy @WomenAndVulvas.

Is it a debate? I apologise and will back out now, for not taking it seriously enough.

I agree with you OP

Yeah i think they're a load of shite.

They take some of the magic away from Christmas day imo.

@TheKeatingFive

Are you new here?

🤣🤣🤣

I’m just so delighted for a bit of normality.

Now who wants a shoes on, shoes bunfight?

Amateur. I'm bringing out the big guns now. You all ready? It's time for the.....

(CHRISTMAS PUDDING) CAKE SMASH!!!!!

As long as it's the same pool of gifts it doesn't matter but more conspicuous consumption and waste I have an issue with. We never had such things when mine were small but we did always do new pyjamas and they got to unwrap on Christmas Eve. They still get them as adults though very different tastes (one has already requested fluffy ones the other prefers a silky nightdress!)

Is it compulsory? No, so don't do it then.

I agree never done Christmas Eve boxes most of the stuff people seem to give are i their stockings the next day anyway. I do give mine there advent calendars and new Christmas PJs on 1st December that way they get to wear them for longer than 1 night.

Do you know what I can't be bothered with..... I can't be bothered with people who start threads about hating Christmas eve boxes and elf on the shelf. Every single year, people moan and bitch about them, when it would be so much easier to ignore any Christmas traditions that you don’t want to take part in, why do you care what other people choose to do in their own homes with their own families? I Don't know of anyone who spends much on them, as above, a hot chocolate, book/movie, bath bomb, sweets,Christmas craft, things like that, hardly worth getting worked up about is it.