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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think Christmas Eve boxes are absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary?

999 replies

dressinggownwearer · 19/10/2020 07:14

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?

OP posts:
ShebaShimmyShake · 20/10/2020 19:02

@Yesterdayforgotten

‘ Why does a tradition stop being personal to the family just because there was advertising for the stuff they needed to buy for it? Will your Christmas dinner be tainted by commercialism because the supermarket had some posters of its turkeys?’

No because it isn’t the same thing whatsoever and it is my opinion and sorry you don’t like it but thanks for that...Hmm

You're welcome. So, why does a tradition stop being personal to a family because shops advertise the stuff you need for it? And why is your Christmas turkey so different?
clareken260 · 20/10/2020 19:03

Referring to Elf on a Shelf... this year he has to quarantine for 14 days as he is coming from another country. I have seen a post that had the elf in a jar, wearing a mask.

Weebitawks · 20/10/2020 19:03

Fuck me is it a big deal? We've got a couple of nice engraved boxes that we use every year. We put some biscuits, reindeer food, jammies and a book in them..it's hardly rampant consumerism gone mad. If you don't want to do it, don't. But no need to act like everyone that does it is beneath you.

I don't do elf on a shelf but don't give a shit that people do.

claireandbabe · 20/10/2020 19:07

What is a Christmas Eve box? Never heard of them. My kids are 15 and 13. Certainly haven't felt as though they have missed out at Christmas time!

Yesterdayforgotten · 20/10/2020 19:09

I didn’t say it stops being personal Smile I said it should be personal to the family, I don’t feel there a need in that personal special tradition being commercial. Just my opinion, I’m entitled to it like you are yours. You agree with the commercialism of what used to be quiet special traditions than that is great.

SugarNyx · 20/10/2020 19:10

None of this is forced? Why do people complain about stuff that has no affect on them?! If you don’t want do it, don’t do it!

Giespeace · 20/10/2020 19:33

Oh yes, no wonder the world is ending, what with all these spoilt children getting sweets, a Christmas film and story on Christmas Eve. It’s outrageous Hmm

Shona52 · 20/10/2020 19:34

We do one as a goodbye from the elf on the shelf. It has Christmas pjs, a video and or book, snacks and ingredients or kits to make mince pies or cookies to make to leave for Santa (to give them a project to do on Christmas Eve). It doesn’t have to be about toys or gifts.

ShebaShimmyShake · 20/10/2020 19:35

@Yesterdayforgotten

I didn’t say it stops being personal Smile I said it should be personal to the family, I don’t feel there a need in that personal special tradition being commercial. Just my opinion, I’m entitled to it like you are yours. You agree with the commercialism of what used to be quiet special traditions than that is great.
I really can't see what the difference is between "it's not personal" and "it's not personal to the family". Your traditions sound pretty rubbish if they can't survive the fact of other people liking them too. Christmas is already commercial, you can't avoid that, but you still haven't told me why your well-promoted roasting bird of choice is somehow superior to a film night box whose contents also had some advertising. Who are you to tell people their traditions are wrong or not special to them because you don't like what the shops say about it? Can you not own your traditions yourself?
GlennRheeismyfavourite · 20/10/2020 19:37

My daughter is only 3 so just starting out on new traditions but last January I put away any Christmas related books and toys and I'll get them out on 1st December- that way I'm hoping they'll be like old friends every year and special but bonneted first new things! Might decorate an old cupboard box together that she can leave out and then Father Christmas will fill it - again - all recycled/home made!!

cherish123 · 20/10/2020 19:38

In continental Europe, it's quite common to open presents on Christmas Eve. Not so common in this country. Maybe some people give the stocking presents on Christmas Eve.

Ninkanink · 20/10/2020 19:40

Yes but they (we) give presents on Christmas Eve because that’s our Christmas Day.

ShebaShimmyShake · 20/10/2020 19:44

You agree with the commercialism of what used to be quiet special traditions than that is great.

You know, you aren't half loud about how quiet you like your traditions to be. Do most people in your area project images of their Christmas boxes on the sides of their houses or announce what they're doing to the street via megaphone?

Tommo75 · 20/10/2020 19:50

I agree. Elf on the shelf annoys me too. It's like everyone competing to be the best. I never started it for mine. It never interested me. And Christmas Eve boxes are full of tat that ends up discarded anyway.

Yesterdayforgotten · 20/10/2020 19:51

@ShebaShimmyShake no need to put words in my mouth. I haven't said anybody's traditions aren't special and have my own traditions and I'm sure will discover new too as my children get older. Actually we have an amazing time and shame on you for that comment. I feel you have had a nerve hit or something because of this thread and seem to be gunning for me this evening, people have had far stronger views than my own yet you say nothing to them. You are very obsessed with roasting turkeys Grin and no I have no issues with food being advertised but yes the commercialism of Christmas day I dont love either. It doesnt stop me celebrating Christmas or having xmas eve traditions but it doesnt mean I have to love some for the ott tat in the shops! Oh and you dont need to keep quoting me but continue if you must but I cant guarantee you'll get a response as this boring now Smile

Yesterdayforgotten · 20/10/2020 19:52

Oh dear sheba there you go again, please leave me alone thank you and aim your misplaced anger somewhere else.

TheKeatingFive · 20/10/2020 19:59

Elf on the shelf annoys me too. It's like everyone competing to be the best

Personally I’m just doing things I think the DC will enjoy. I wouldn’t have thought that was so controversial, but you live and learn.

myhobbyisouting · 20/10/2020 20:00

But @Yesterdayforgotten do you accept the non-woolly pjs now? Grin

myhobbyisouting · 20/10/2020 20:02

"Do most people in your area project images of their Christmas boxes on the sides of their houses or announce what they're doing to the street via megaphone?"

I didn't previously but I'm going to do now, only to make next years thread more interesting 😊 I might buy Sherpa level pjs too and watch the kids sweat it out all year

TheKeatingFive · 20/10/2020 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ShebaShimmyShake · 20/10/2020 20:10

@Yesterdayforgotten

Oh dear sheba there you go again, please leave me alone thank you and aim your misplaced anger somewhere else.
There's something so ironic about a woman who's full of moralistic ire about Christmas film night boxes to be talking about imagined displaced anger and nerves in other people...

You have, as with the posters you were clashing with about this yesterday, not answered a single question. There is no reason at all why a turkey that had some promotion should be any different to a film night box in terms of all this terrible commercialism. Your only argument for this is "it's different" and "well I'm entitled to my opinion". Given what a mahoosive objection you clearly have to this concept, and all your complaints and judgement, I do think you should have something more substantial. You haven't, of course, because there isn't anything more substantial to say. It's a film night box and they don't have a moral value. The commercialism of Christmas is not limited to them. In fact, they're probably among the least extravagant things that people might do. Loads of box lovers on here have explained how much they reuse the things in them and how much wear their kids get out of the PJs. And, more to the point, the fact that they get joy out of them.

You don't like them, fine, but no, it's not on to say that the money you spend on Christmas is superior to the money others spend on it, or to tell people their traditions aren't personal or special because they've become more popular, or the shops sell stuff for them. You've been louder in how quiet you are than any of the people you've criticise for having, once again...a film night box.

cologne4711 · 20/10/2020 20:13

The only reason I even know these are a thing is because of MN. Not sure if they were a regional thing originally that has now caught on (maybe because of social media?)

Wishing14 · 20/10/2020 20:14

Everything is arguably ‘commercialised’ in some way these days .. everyone using this site for airing their opinions (which used to be ‘quiet’ and ‘personal’) are ultimately leading to the financial gain of an organisation. I find it odd how people pick and choose the social practices that they deem to be unworthy and to be scorned at. We are in part consumers in nearly each and every aspect of our lives, everything can be picked apart and judged in one way or another. I do think it can be stressful for parents who struggle financially and feel they need to ‘keep up’ with such things, but it’s also stressful trying to ‘keep up’ with the nice cars, clothes, fancy days out, holidays, parties etc that others have ... I am a student and mum and finances are very tight but Christmas Eve boxes are the least of my worries! Actually putting a little Xmas Eve box is much less stressful than buying the presents on Christmas Day... but really traditional Christmas is about the birth of Christ. Though shalt not judge Wink

Onceuponatimethen · 20/10/2020 20:14

We don’t do them - I think it’s crazy!

Onceuponatimethen · 20/10/2020 20:15

But each to their own!

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