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?

My dc have worn their reindeer pyjamas all year long. I give them new on Christmas Eve so they have nice new pjs on the Christmas morning photos. One year they got character ones, this year they are navy with stars on. There's no rule to say you can't wear Christmas pjs in July!

But there is no doubt that it is an additional pressure on top of all the things you mention for families who already struggle. I don't know why you seem to have such a problem with that being pointed out.

I think it’s totally ridiculous point when applied (as it is, often) to a cheap Christmas Eve box worth a couple of quid, but not to expensive holidays, tech, leisure stuff. branded clothes that actually do cause these families difficulties when they struggle to fund them.

@Armi

The idea that hot chocolate is some sort of treat puts me right off. Hot chocolate is over-sweet milky filth and MN is obsessed with it. It’s minging.

Hate all this competitive over-mummying that happens around any sort of event or occasion these days. We give ourselves extra shit to do and buy when we’re skint and too busy anyway, then complain we have to do everything. And before someone complains about the ‘over-mummying’ it is usually women who do this ridiculous shit. And bang on about hot chocolate.

You do realise that if you make your own hot chocolate you can make it as sweet or as bitter as you like, and there’s no need for it to be anything but the way you personally like it.

My children liked hot chocolate when they were little, and they didn’t have it all that often so it was actually a treat to them.

Plus you’re missing the point - it’s the ritual that makes it meaningful, the layering of memories and happiness and cosiness. Traditions matter, they’re part of what makes up the fabric of humanity.

I do a Christmas eve box for DS. It normally has a Christmas story in, some hot chocolate and "reindeer food" to put in the garden.

I'm really not bothered if people think it's unnecessary, it's no one else's business.

I do take your point but for some people an extra couple of quid might as well be a hugely expensive holiday or fancy trainers....???

The idea that hot chocolate is some sort of treat puts me right off. Hot chocolate is over-sweet milky filth and MN is obsessed with it. It’s minging.

What an absurd comment. Other hot drinks and other Christmas Eve box items are available. Most people like hot chocolate. Calling it 'filth' is ridiculously OTT. Oh and you can make it as sweet or bitter as you like if you use cocoa.

But there is no doubt that it is an additional pressure on top of all the things you mention for families who already struggle.

How is it a pressure? Most people don't do it, I don't think. Why would anyone feel pressure to do it just because some other people do? Also, expecting people to stop doing something they enjoy,just because other people might not be able to do it is utterly unreasonable and daft.

@DrWAnker

I do take your point but for some people an extra couple of quid might as well be a hugely expensive holiday or fancy trainers....???

I think the point is that the actually expensive things beloved of the middle classes aren't carrying all the judgement and hand wringing about waste and societal pressure as what is, effectively, a film night box plus PJs. We might like to ask ourselves why that is. If you're pressured and ashamed because you can't afford said film night box, how will you feel about those people who go abroad every year or have lots of wearable tech?

We do give them new pyjamas - wrapped up on their pillow ready for bedtime. Such a lovely thing to wake up in new pyjamas on Christmas day to open stockings.

Everything else waits until Christmas day

My DCs get their Christmas pyjamas on Christmas Eve and wear them till they get fed up of them i.e. forever.
We read Advent/Christmas books during December but they are the same ones each year or else come from the library so no need to box them up.

I do take your point but for some people an extra couple of quid might as well be a hugely expensive holiday or fancy trainers....???

Uh huh. So does that mean that nobody who can afford a couple of quid should be allowed to spend it on anything that's not strictly essential then? Or is it just Christmas Eve boxes they shouldn't be allowed to spend it on? Fine to buy your dc X Boxes, laptops and designer clothes, but a few quid on hot chocolate and cheapo pyjamas is going to make other people feel bad?

Honestly, this thread is crackers. It's not difficult - spend what money you have on what you want. Let others do the same.

Because I don't think any of those things carries the same level of heightened emotion that people get carried away with at Christmas time, so people do feel bad if they can't keep up with the Joneses.

@randomer

Landfill. Kill the Elf.

YES.

And no, that is not what I am saying at all.
Indeed, this thread is mad.

What a way to ruin it. I don’t understand why anyone would choose to do this at all and I feel sorry for the kids who never get to experience that last wonderful, unbearable, magical wait of Xmas Eve.

You might say the same about the Christmas stocking if there are other presents to come later in the day. DO you feel sorry for kids who get stockings?

I used to give mine a gingerbread house to make and an annual and grow one of those Tobar crystal growing snowmen or Christmas trees. It was quite a nice tradition. I didn't post it on Facebook

@DrWAnker

Because I don't think any of those things carries the same level of heightened emotion that people get carried away with at Christmas time, so people do feel bad if they can't keep up with the Joneses.

Well exactly. That's the point. The question is, why? Why is a film night box loaded with all this emotion when games consoles and new bikes, which frequently appear at Christmas too, don't?

And as PPs say, should we all deny ourselves things we like, even cheap film nights, in case someone else can't do the same thing?

Why are we focusing on moralising about the cheap thing that's generally accessible to almost everybody?

But yes it probably did ruin Christmas for them and they were definitely deserving of pity

I dunno I quite like a bit of ‘milky filth’ from my husband as a special Christmas Eve treat.

@draughtycatflap

I dunno I quite like a bit of ‘milky filth’ from my husband as a special Christmas Eve treat.

Now that really might ruin Christmas for the kids!

"I feel sorry for the kids who never get to experience that last wonderful, unbearable, magical wait of Xmas Eve."

😂😂 yeah, you're right, jobs fucked

Because I don't think any of those things carries the same level of heightened emotion that people get carried away with at Christmas time, so people do feel bad if they can't keep up with the Joneses.

So why target the relatively inexpensive little Christmas Eve box tradition rather than the groaning juggernaut of excess that is the actual Christmas presents?

Quite

Some people on this thread are utterly ridiculous. Imagine being so invested in what other people do.

It's excessive!!!!

What a way to ruin it. I don’t understand why anyone would choose to do this at all and I feel sorry for the kids who never get to experience that last wonderful, unbearable, magical wait of Xmas Eve.

This makes no sense whatsoever. How does a pair of new pyjamas and some hot chocolate from your parents have any effect on the wait for Father Christmas or presents on the 25th?