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 also leave our trees up till new year, nowdays it seems popular to pull them down boxing day. Again, each to their own, it isn't for me to judge another familys Christmas.'

^ I think that would be a whole new thread!

@Coffeeoverload It is just a tradition like any others that nobody should really know about. It is just more commercialised recently which is a shame.

other*

jesus mary and joseph - its OCTOBER. Give it a month at least before you start this - you've opened the free for all - i bet that bloody elf on the shelf makes a magical appearance tomorrow!

We dont do these boxes youre talking about, nor the elf. We do straight up christmas presents. 4 presents each, one main toy, one book, clothes and a bonus one. Thats it. The kids know no different - 4 and 6 years. I actually dont know anyone who does an eve box - we try to go to church on eve and thats about it. I know one person who does the elf thing. I find it a bit funny - but i cant be arsed. :)

I think it sounds quite sweet. Can always split presents between Xmas day and CE. Don’t have to buy more...
I might do this for my fam if we can’t all be together this year. Might bring a bit of comfort

I think they are a bit of fun and like doing them. Its the kind of stuff I'd do on xmas eve anyway...but i don't have multiple kids etc to buy for so its easier.

I am with you on this however, I have decided I will do them but only put things in them that are in preparation for Christmas day really. Pj's, Christmas book, Christmas bath bubbles, reindeer food and maybe a bit of chocolate. My LO will only b 21 months this Christmas and last Christmas I did the box and put toys in it. Stupidly as I didn't realise just how much he would be gifted on Christmas day. Lesson learned lol x

Have only heard about them last year but I think it would be a nice tradition I want to take part in as I am half German and it would be a nice way to carry on a bit of my tradition (gifts opened on the 24th in the evening) while also doing Christmas Day. Of course the gifts on Christmas eve would be limited to their gift from my dm, a some new pajamas and a small gift with the main gifts on the 25th

I also hate the idea of them. In reality I don't know anyone who does them. It is only on mumsnet I have read about.

I agree. We don't have them. Our elf sometimes leaves letters and brings books. I imagine this must sound rediculous to some.

As a child I always got new PJs for Christmas Eve as to my children. I do also give them a new book to encourage them into bed but in our house new books are not just for special occasions.

Christmas Eve ritual is bath, laying out your stocking and putting out a plate with mince pie, carrot and a tipple for Father Christmas. And a really good Christmas movie. Thats plenty for lovely memories.

What's the difference between that and the family who have a Christmas Eve box with a bath bomb, stocking (same one every year), special Christmas plate (that they use every year) and a christmas book/DVD?

Christmas eve boxes weren't a thing when I was a child, but the sentiment behind it was exactly the same, just without the fancy instagrammable presentation. Yes it has probably lead to some people becoming overly consumerist, but that would happen regardless. The only thing that has changed for some is to make it a "thing" rather than just their family tradition.

When I was little my mother used to take my siblings and I to the teatime Mass on Christmas Eve (when we were too little for Midnight Mass) while my non religious father stayed at home to sort the last minute present details etc and when we got home he would have run us a bubble bath, with fresh new PJs warming on the radiator (ready for Christmas morning pictures) and once we were clean and dressed in fresh PJs we would watch a Christmas film, set out the mince pie, carrot and brandy and go to bed. None of the actual experience has changed with a Christmas Eve box beyond the presentation.

@melj1213 that sounds absolutely lovely

@Frequentcarpetflyer

We don't do this. But I always wonder if people wash the pyjamas first?

Why in earth wash new clothes?.I've never washed anything bought new. New clothes , are unpacked and labels removed, then put in the wardrobe or drawers ready to put on at some point

We're doing one for DS this year, it will contain a new set of pyjamas ( not Christmas ones but wintery ones he'll get plenty of wear from), the night before Christmas book (same one from last year that I'll get out every year), the plate for mince pie/carrot, a bath bomb, Christmas stockings, all of our Christmas mugs and the snowman on dvd. Other than the bath bomb and pyjamas none of it is new and the same items will be used year after year.

When I was a child we'd go to the carol service at the local church after an early dinner, come home bubble bath, new pyjamas, watch the snowman with warm milk (cocoa when we were older) , hang our stockings, leave a mince pie and carrots, read the night before Christmas and go to bed. It's a nice wind down tradition that isn't altered by keeping the items in a box..... I'd like to do carols too but Covid.

Do people really only wear the Christmas pj’s on Christmas and then stop wearing them. They’re worn all year long here!

@Canuckduck

Do people really only wear the Christmas pj’s on Christmas and then stop wearing them. They’re worn all year long here!

Yes, but kids more than adults I think. Adults get those matching pjs with the kids and I suspect most don't get worn much. Though probably more than Christmas jumpers.

Oh, that's not clear above. I mean I think many kids wear them as long as weather is appropriate, but adults less so.

I love them! We do them on the 1st Dec every year, tree up, new Xmas Pj's, advent calendar and bath bubbles. I also put the Xmas bedding on. It's our family tradition now and I'll always do it, even though our eldest is a teenager next year!

@Mosschopz

Doesn’t do any harm...I just get my kids a few sweat-shop produced bits...stick it in a box...they love it...does no harm...just heaps consumerism on consumerism...nothing wrong with that...

Create your own traditions and show some bloody imagination.

I agree. Of course some will have done these for years but, for the most part, they’re adding another layer of consumerism along with lavish advent calendars and that elf. To say there is no harm done by them is simply not true. I love hearing of others’ special traditions that are more unique to their family though.

Create your own traditions and show some bloody imagination

What like Christmas trees, carol singing, mince pies, Christmas pudding, roast turkey, crackers?

Collective traditions are an enormous part of Christmas. Doing something that everyone does, with your own individual tweaks/adjustments is what it’s all about. I’ve never seen anyone chided for lack of imagination for putting up their Christmas tree.

Don't do Christmas Eve boxes - they get enough on christmas day! We do have a nice time together hot chocolate, film, get the stuff for santa ready etc - but they don't get any gifts. It' s a crazy idea and i won't buy in to it.

"We do have a nice time together hot chocolate, film, get the stuff for santa ready etc - but they don't get any gifts. It' s a crazy idea and i won't buy in to it."

Can't be that "crazy" when you're already doing it minus the actual box

I guess those landfill holes are not going to fill themselves.

I guess those landfill holes are not going to fill themselves

Have you even read the thread and figured out what people are putting in the boxes?