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?

I agree, Christmas Eve boxes are completely unnecessary. But then again so are Christmas presents, Christmas parties, Christmas cards, Christmas Dinner, Christmas crackers, Christmas loo rolls, Christmas-patterned tableware, Christmas trees, Christmas decorations etc etc etc! None of the things we like to indulge in at Christmas are necessary, they're just fun for those who like them.

Personally, I never bothered with most of the above but they bring a lot of pleasure to others. Each to their own, I think.

@TheKeatingFive

I suppose every era has its own Xmas. Xmas boxes are now part of this one.

Except they’ve been around and a ‘part’ of Christmas for absolutely ages.

Have they? I haven’t been aware of them being around for ages.

I haven’t been aware of them being around for ages.

RTT

Loads of posters have said they had them as kids.

In life you sometimes join in at the end of a conversation. On MN you are expected to RTFT and sometimes you have t got time to read 40 pages. Especially when it’s just a discussion about something uncontroversial like Xmas boxes.

If they have around for ages fair enough but in my experience they are recent. I don’t do them but fair enough if others do.

I got mine back in the 80s, came in a bag though rather than a box. But the exact same concept of pyjamas, fruit and a book.

In life you sometimes join in at the end of a conversation. On MN you are expected to RTFT and sometimes you have t got time to read 40 pages.

Sure, but before you question other posters, it may have occurred to you to check if it’s come up already.

Especially when it’s just a discussion about something uncontroversial like Xmas boxes.

Hahaha

Er....I wasn’t questioning anyone.

You seem very invested in the idea of Xmas boxes. Hope you have a lovely Xmas and your boxes fulfill everyone’s expectations.

@speakout I fully agree there and being half german I thought this will be a good way to include some of the traditions I grew up with. To be honest me and fiancé have always done the 'chirstmas eve' box but just not labeled it or dressed it up in a box

Apologies, I may have been a bit hot headed.

This thread is full of people calling those doing boxes ‘crass materialists, cruel, spoilers of Christmas, creators of spoilt brats, ruining the lives of those less fortunate’ which seems somewhat overblown for PJs and a sachet of hot choc, so i expect I’m a bit sensitive.

However in fairness you didn’t do any of that. The concept has been around a long time though, from at least my own childhood (I’m 40).

I wonder if it was only certain areas? I’m your age and none of my friends had one or can ever remember anyone having one. I don’t do them for my kids as I want the focus to be on Xmas day. Also because it’s the birthday of a close family member so we keep that day special for them!

I didn't even know they were a thing.

@Onceuponatimethen but how would a nice bath, a Christmas movie, some hot chocolate and some new pajamas the night before take any attention away from Christmas day? or is it the box itself that is distracting

@Onceuponatimethen

I wonder if it was only certain areas? I’m your age and none of my friends had one or can ever remember anyone having one. I don’t do them for my kids as I want the focus to be on Xmas day. Also because it’s the birthday of a close family member so we keep that day special for them!

this pops up again... why/how would you possibly know if others do them?

I have litrally NEVER in real life talked to anyone except my mother and DH about them. My mam likes to reminiss on the ones we had as a kid and I only talk to DH about it because he is expected to get our oldest PJs and I have to remind him.

Its not something people talk about, why would they given most people didnt even realise how much some other people aggressively hate PJs and hot chocolate or the word 'box' so much lol.

Until adulthood and mumsnet I had no idea that people did xmas differently to me, I didnt know because people don't announce all their little traditions probably because most people naturally assume people do the same or similar until threads like this pop up and people who dont do things suddenly get defensive insisting its 'not a thing' because its not 'their thing'.

I’ve chatted quite a bit with friends about Xmas eve! Because obviously ours is quite different to others - because we have a Xmas eve family birthday. None of my friends seek to do them and growing up you know what kids are like - if it was common then wouldn’t people have been saying “got a brilliant Xmas box like always”

Seem to do them

@Onceuponatimethen

I wonder if it was only certain areas? I’m your age and none of my friends had one or can ever remember anyone having one. I don’t do them for my kids as I want the focus to be on Xmas day. Also because it’s the birthday of a close family member so we keep that day special for them!

I appreciate this comment

But there are a fair few posters on this thread do a new pair of pjs but because its not in a box it doesn’t seem to count

So asking do you do a Christmas eve box may well get a very different reply from do you get new pjs and read a book while drinking hot choc

Oh so sorry onceuponatime did not refresh the page enough

Didnt mean to add to the people quoting you!

If it was common then wouldn’t people have been saying “got a brilliant Xmas box like always

Well I wouldn’t personally brag to my mates about getting a paid of pjs and a bath bomb

(Thats not true now...now I’m old we are always crapping on about our new lounge wear 😳)

What a fabulous thread. I have never had or done a Christmas Eve Box, but I am sat here wondering what I could pop in a box for Christmas Eve for my husband and I.

It just sounds like fun and especially this year I think fun is a good idea.

Happy Happy Christmas Everyone, I am off to look for a suitable box

If it was common then wouldn’t people have been saying “got a brilliant Xmas box like always
By the time kids get back into school or chatting to their friends after Xmas they're going to be talking about their actual Christmas presents presumably, not some new pyjamas and a couple of other items they got in their box. I told people about my train set or new game, when I was a kid, not my new pyjamas!

Christmas Eve boxes are essential. Do you want the children to die from lack of Christmas

Last word - here's some of the best singers of all time doing Silent Night.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=drhfF1ico6k