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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what a Christmas Eve box is?

207 replies

Qpobb · 14/12/2020 08:12

I keep seeing posts on my local FB marketplace advertising "Christmas Eve boxes". No idea what they are, what function they have or what goes in them? Surely there are enough presents given out on Christmas day itself!? I have no DC, so perhaps something that isn't relevant to me... However, I am curious!!

OP posts:
Gardeniaofdelights · 14/12/2020 08:14

Usually a wooden box that people put things in for a night in on Christmas Eve. Tends to be things like pyjamas, a hot chocolate, a festive dvd etc.

Seems like another way to ramp up parental stress and pile on Christmas consumerism to me, but as long as they make people happy Grin

Lockheart · 14/12/2020 08:14

Have you tried Google?

Original poster
Qpobb · 14/12/2020 08:15

@lockheart I actually did, but it just came up with the outer boxes for sale. I want to know what's in them! Grin

OP posts:
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 14/12/2020 08:15

Well there are about a million other threads on mn about it, or googling would give you the answer straight away.

SnuggyBuggy · 14/12/2020 08:16

Its a load of extra Christmas Eve presents basically thst come in a wooden box, sometimes decorated with the kids names.

CherryPavlova · 14/12/2020 08:17

Another way to extend the invented jollity to try and create something special out of consumerism?

A box with pyjamas in. Not sure when pjs became something special but there you go.

EggBobbin · 14/12/2020 08:17

We have a traditional Christmas Eve Box every year. DH wanted to ban it after he KO’d my mum in the first round one year but she really worked on her form and came back much stronger in the next year!

Original poster
Qpobb · 14/12/2020 08:17

I like the idea of pyjamas! Sorry I missed the million other threads.

OP posts:
Zoecarter · 14/12/2020 08:18

So when I was little on Christmas Eve we would always get New pjs and a Bottle of matey bubble bath to get us all ready and chilled for the night. We would also watch the muppets Xmas carol and have treats such as hot chocolate. Its just a nice way of presenting it.

So we have in ours
New pjs
Bubble bath
A dvd of the muppets Xmas carol that we all ready own
A bed time Christmas book that we all ready own.
Some treats/hot choc that we would have anyway on Xmas eve
Our plate for Santa
Ingrediants to make cookies for Santa (even tho my husband says Santa wants chocolate fudge cake this year) but cookies are easier to make with a 2 year old.

It’s all stuff that you would have anyway on Xmas eve but presented nicely.

bobbiester · 14/12/2020 08:18

It's a made up thing to get people to buy more stuff. Never existed a few years ago - now there's competitiveness to see who can put together the most cutesy box.

In my day, as kids, we just used to sneak a few Quality Street - watch a film and go to bed.

GintyMcGinty · 14/12/2020 08:18

It's not something we've ever done. No elf in our house either.

Original poster
Qpobb · 14/12/2020 08:19

@eggbobbin Glad I asked this questio, just for your comment. Thanks 😂

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 14/12/2020 08:19

I think you put your own things in them.

I was a bit Hmm when I first read about them, but we were always allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve when I was a child and that was decades ago, so its just an extension of that.

We also put the plate out for Santa and Rudolf and probably had new pyjamas and hot chocolate etc, as an encouragement to get to bed so DPs could sort out the presents and have some much needed Wine.

Plus the boxes they sell in Asda etc are only a couple of quid and can be used for many years or as a nice keepsake/memory box.

Dyrne · 14/12/2020 08:19

They serve a dual purpose:

  1. Provide a fun little tradition to extend the Christmas magic a bit and do something nice for your children.

  2. Exist so that people have something to feel snootily superior over because it’s not their personal cup of tea and therefore anyone who partakes in it is doing Christmas wrong

Zoecarter · 14/12/2020 08:20

@CherryPavlova I am In my 30’s and always had new pjs. (So the pictures look nice of Xmas morning really) but it’s a nice way of getting kids wanting to go to bed on Xmas evening. X

Merryoldgoat · 14/12/2020 08:21

The general idea is to dissipate the excitement by giving them something small in anticipation of the next day.

Certainly not loads of gifts here:

PJs (would have these anyway as I make them)
A Christmas story book (same book from every year)
Activity book (new)
DVD (actually a Netflix ‘invitation’)
Stuff to put out for Father Christmas and Reindeer (we’d do this anyway)
Christmas mug (new)

I find it a helpful distraction whilst I’m doing last minute stuff.

Original poster
Qpobb · 14/12/2020 08:21

On Christmas eve, me and DSis spent ours giggling at the back of church changing the words to the hymns. We were then told off and sent straight to bed. No cosy PJs or hot chocolate. Perhaps that's why we didn't have this tradition....

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 14/12/2020 08:23

@CherryPavlova

Another way to extend the invented jollity to try and create something special out of consumerism?

A box with pyjamas in. Not sure when pjs became something special but there you go.

I’m 42 and my Christmas PJs were a much looked forward to tradition. My son adores his and wears the ones from the prior year all through the new year.
EnPoinsettia · 14/12/2020 08:24

They hold the popcorn for the inevitable MN bunfight they invoke.

Original poster
Qpobb · 14/12/2020 08:25

Not in this for a bunfight. I don't even like buns.

I have nephews and nieces and wondered what all the fuss was about 👀

OP posts:
nosswith · 14/12/2020 08:26

Something that should not exist.

Devised as a way of trying to get people to spend more over Christmas, or perhaps to keep excited children quiet.

SockQueen · 14/12/2020 08:27

Another thing for mums (yes, almost always. Pretty sure most dad's wouldn't give a shit) to stress about buying/sorting. And then post on MN about how they only have xyz in theirs.

santasmincepie · 14/12/2020 08:28

It's something that divides MN. Some like it, others think it is "commercial tat", "more pressure on parents" or " extra presents for spoilt children".

IIt's a box with pyjamas, hot chocolate and usually a book or film to bring out on Christmas Eve in order to spend some calm family time before the big day and start the wind down to get the children ready for bed. It usually also holds the child's stocking and any family traditions e.g. a book that comes out every year.

I think it's lovely. This is my first year of doing one and I'm really looking forward to it. It will contain DS's stocking, santa plate, my 1988 copy of Twas The Night Before Christmas, a lift the flap book for DS (he's obsessed), pyjamas for everyone and some drinks/snacks for the grown ups. Ours is a family box, not one just for DS.

Fizbosshoes · 14/12/2020 08:29

Weve never done it, I'm usually wrapping christmas presents on christmas eve!! Blush
Neither of my DC would wear PJs, and my DH would look at me like i had 2 heads if I suggested matching pjs for all the family. DS wouldnt appreciate hot chocolate or a bubble bath either.

If other people have got the time/inclination/budget for it I dont have a problem with it.

ohidoliketobe · 14/12/2020 08:32

@bobbiester

It's a made up thing to get people to buy more stuff. Never existed a few years ago - now there's competitiveness to see who can put together the most cutesy box.

In my day, as kids, we just used to sneak a few Quality Street - watch a film and go to bed.

Speak for yourself. I'm mid 30s, UK based. I was always given a set of pjs, special hot chocolate and a book on Christmas eve. GPs did the same for my mum and her siblings when they little (who are aged from 50-late 60s now). It wasn't 'in a box', but it's essentially the same thing. It's a tradition I carry on for my kids
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