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?

The same box comes out every year. New pjs, our Christmas books, hot choc stirrers.

We wear the pjs in the new year too! .

Grinch off!

You know, I used to work with some disadvantaged children. One of them genuinely though she was unloveable because Father Christmas didn't send an Elf on the Shelf to her house. It's fucking cruel. These things are not needed.

Of course they're unnecessary. Everything at Christmas is unnecessary: a big roast dinner, a tree, decorations, mince pies, that fucking John Lennon song about the new year not having any fear. That's why it's fun and festive. You don't arrange a party and then serve dry, bland food that stops you feeling hungry but has no pleasure in it (or maybe some of these miserable, sanctimonious people do...actually, I bet they do). But if you're going to bewail waste and mindless consumerism, the Christmas Eve box - which by most accounts is a pair of pyjamas, some sweets, a book and a DVD - seems a very odd target for the level of moralistic ire that it inspires. Especially since most people who do them seem to have given it quite a lot of thought. I guess they have to, what with being called "sad bastards" and "competitive consumerism" and all the rest of it.

If you don't like Christmas eve boxes then don't do them, why get anoid at what others want to do?
I do Christmas eve boxes, no, it can't wait until Christmas morning. Inside the box is the pyjamas I want my kid to wear on Christmas morning opening his presents... Plus I add a Christmas movie for us, some hot chocolate, something sweet for watching his movie and a Christmas bedtime book to read to him before bed.

@PurBal

You know, I used to work with some disadvantaged children. One of them genuinely though she was unloveable because Father Christmas didn't send an Elf on the Shelf to her house. It's fucking cruel. These things are not needed.

Somehow I think the problems ran a bit deeper than a minority of people posing an elf toy on their shelves during December. Are you really going to blame them for that situation? They are "fucking cruel"?

I thought Christmas Eve boxes were packed with edible treats, hot chocolate, pjs etc? We don't do a box but always have new pj's, Christmas activities and hot chocolate and treats on Christmas Eve. Isn't this the norm? Why do people care if others put it in a box

I do them as it’s a present from us. I put pyjamas (not Christmassy though as I think that’s pointless), chocolate coins, a Kevin the carrot, an annual and a sachet of Snowman soup (hot chocolate and marshmallows) I do it so that the kids believe for a bit longer ie Mum and Dad give us a present so they can’t possibly be Santa lol my oldest boy is 9 and we have been doing every Christmas since he was born

My 2 eldest (in their 20’s) my youngest (4)
I have always done a Christmas Eve box...pjs, book or dvd, hot chocolate and a sweet.

It’s not a new thing, the only “new” thing is the box to put it in. My children aren’t spoiled or get too much

Each to their own

We do a one Christmas Eve box between both DD and DS. It contains new pj's that aren't Christmas orientated so they can be used well in to the next year, hot chocolate, a Christmas film voucher, a few sweet treats and an activity book.

You are a bit of a grinch. I bought a nice box a few years ago when baby was small and therefore did not really get Xmas presents so I could spend a bit extra on a nice wooden one. I put it away every year and it already now holds the Xmas eve DVD and book. All I add to it is the hot chocolate, pack of cookies (that they leave out a few for santa) and their rudoloh carrots. They would get all the latter stuff anyway so it does not cost anything extra a yeat. The kids love it and it makes me smile to see how excited it makes them whne they see it on xmas eve.

Totally aggree! How much more can people indulge and spoil their children? And we wonder why we end up with a bunch of self entitled work shy millennial types

We have a box of Christmas books, dishes and music that comes out every year around the start of Advent. Everyone loves unpacking it. Same stuff every year.

"Absolutely Ridiculous" , sorry OP but that did make me laugh.

Just chill out. Everyone can spend their money on what they want. Keep your nose out. There are loads of things people do that I wouldn't but I don't care that they do.

Completely agree. No Elf here either.

YANBU

We have had one for a few years now and we love it!
Believing in santa and all of the excitement that comes with it is such a small but wonderful part of being a child that prolonging the excitement and surprises is lovely.
We put in pj's for everyone (I don't do Christmas ones as intend on wearing them beyond crimbo) hot choc, Christmas activity etc to do Christmas eve. It's no expense really as it's pretty much things they normally have Christmas day anyway. Love settling down Christmas eve all in New pj's, hot choc (sherry for me!!!) and watching a Christmas film. Also prolongs the days of excitement and the present opening a little bit. We also see family boxing day to give their presents so it's not all over in one morning.

Each to their own, but it's a lovely tradition we've started that we all love!!!!
(PS I fought against elf on a shelf for years and resisted until last year but my youngest was so sure he only comes if she's good etc and was talking about it literally all year that I relented. HATED thinking of things every bloody night for the elf to do.... But... Have to admit, the children loved it and was lovely seeing the excitement every morning! Am sorely tempted to say he needs to self isolate for 14 days this year though.... '

Your house your opinion, you do what you want in your house but dont judge others for having a good time.

Others like it. I think it's a nice way to introduce a new film or book and keep them calm for an hour on the most hyped up day of the year

Christmas eve boxes are a must!? New christmas pjs and socks, a christmas story and either a gingerbread or cookie with hot chocolate sachet! All of this is opened while we watch a Christmas film together!

Changed my mind on these this year. DC 18 and 22 now but I'm going to do one to share this year for a bit of extra festivity due to other stuff being off because of coronavirus.
Also, family Xmas will not be possible so I think I need to try to make it special in other ways.
I had always thought unnecessary before.

@MollyMinniesMum

Totally aggree! How much more can people indulge and spoil their children? And we wonder why we end up with a bunch of self entitled work shy millennial types

I can't make out if you are agreeing with OP or taking the piss out of them.

We do Christmas eve boxes, I love them. We had a special wooden box made. I completely understand your feelings towards them though. I buy my children a set of pj's each and just put some chocolate coins/candy cane, hot chocolate/marshmallows and a Christmas book or film. Its great for Christmas eve

YABU. I don't see this fuss on the Advent thread where one could argue thats all mindless tat, landfill, waste of money or spoiling children etc. Thats a tradition that has evolved into a big money buisness (though there are the book adventers). Personally not my thing but each to their own.

I think Christmas is just one of those times to let people do what they like and personalise their celebrations. If you like a Christmas Eve box then that’s great but if not that’s also great.

I have a reusable box I do every year with a pair of pyjamas In a sachet of hot chocolate a colouring book and a wooden key they hang up to let Father Christmas in because we don’t have a chimney. Don’t really see the harm in it they get it after their bath and they sit colouring and winding down some of the bouncy excitement before bed

If you don't like the idea then don't do them.

I do them every year for my girls, they contain Christmas pjs, Christmas movie (to watch that night) with snacks. Usually a pair of Christmas slipper socks, and hot chocolate, reindeer food that they sprinkle outside just before they go to bed