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AIBU?

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Original poster

What on earth is a Christmas Eve box??

642 replies

Xmasevewhat · 04/12/2023 14:58

I've suddenly seen 'Christmas Eve boxes' popping up everywhere. In shops, on Etsy, social feeds. Never even heard of the concept and now all of a sudden it's everywhere.

Can someone explain the point? Seems like they are filled with same kind of things you'd put in a stocking. Be honest, is it just another Instagram fad/ excuse to spend money?

OP posts:
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Choosychoice · 04/12/2023 15:00

Endless tat which is a grade A waste of the worlds resources. People actually buy pjs to put in them for the use of the Christmas period, then buy a new set of pjs next year.

Mothmansknickers · 04/12/2023 15:00

An excuse to spend more cash. If it's your bag, fair enough.

DustyLee123 · 04/12/2023 15:01

Yep, another SM trend for everyone to rush out and buy. Usually contains matching Xmas PJ’s, fluffy socks, a Xmas mug, and a hot choc sachet.

Ploctopus · 04/12/2023 15:01

They’re definitely a fairly new phenomenon, I’ve seen them over the last few years.

We do a fairly basic one - it’s just a little wooden box with new pyjamas, hot chocolate and a Christmas book in it. It had become a nice little tradition for us that he opens it, then we have the hot chocolate and the book as his bedtime story before he goes to sleep. Ours isn’t for instagram because I never post my son online!

Some of them are really extravagant - lots of gifts etc. I suspect the more extravagant they are the more they’re for social media rather than for the kids! But maybe that’s just me being snarky, because I do get cross at christmas competitiveness on social media sometimes.

Original poster
Xmasevewhat · 04/12/2023 15:01

Choosychoice · 04/12/2023 15:00

Endless tat which is a grade A waste of the worlds resources. People actually buy pjs to put in them for the use of the Christmas period, then buy a new set of pjs next year.

I thought as much. When I first heard of it I assumed it must contain something special or different but it just looks like contents of your average stocking. What's the point?

OP posts:
Nonplusultra · 04/12/2023 15:02

Are you very new to mumsnet?

Needmorelego · 04/12/2023 15:02

It's whatever you want it to be.
Some people put things in it that are designed to be used before the actual day like a make your own tree decoration kit (ie something for children to "do" on Christmas Eve). Or a Christmas themed book to read at bedtime.
I personally don't do a Christmas Eve box but I think of it as objects you need as preparation before the "big day".

SquashPenguin · 04/12/2023 15:03

They’re a load of tat so people can take photos for social media and show off their ‘crimbo with the famalam’.

justteanbiscuits · 04/12/2023 15:03

I do the same as my parents did on Xmas eve - new PJ's, some chocolate and a book. I love continuing this tradition. I'm 50, so not new to me!

justteanbiscuits · 04/12/2023 15:04

(adding, not Christmas PJ's, just new PJ's!)

AhBiscuits · 04/12/2023 15:05

Where have you been for the last 10 years? They are often a book to read at bedtime, PJs, hot chocolate and marshmallows.

JamesWebb · 04/12/2023 15:08

its a box you put things in in Christmas Eve! Obviously the ones you see on insta are created to be insta-worthy and the ones you see for sale are to make money. We do one and it’s in a very un Instagramable cardboard box painted an decorated by the kids a few years ago and it usually has non-Christmas pajamas, which they tend to need by this point, hot chocolate, maybe bath bombs or something. Nothing wasteful or going straight to landfill, just cosy winter treats that we all enjoy. Things I would buy anyway in the most part. There are so many traditions and ideas around Christmas, advent and Yule, I absolutely love the at I can can choose what works for my family and leave the rest.

Original poster
Xmasevewhat · 04/12/2023 15:08

Never seen or heard of it until this year so not sure how I missed it as not been living under a rock.

I can see the appeal of a special hot chocolate, story or activity on Xmas eve. I did similar when I was little. But the examples I've seen go way beyond that and are clearly done with the Instagram pictures in mind.

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Malarandras · 04/12/2023 15:09

For me it’s just two painted wooden boxes I reuse every year that I stick a few little things in that I would have given the kids anyway. Keeps them occupied for a short time whilst I get on with the many things I have to do on Christmas Eve. I fail to see the harm? Nobody makes me do it, I don’t t suppose anyone will make you do it either. And I don’t post on social media.

JenniferJuniper80 · 04/12/2023 15:10

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Original poster
Xmasevewhat · 04/12/2023 15:10

I didn't have kids before this year though. Maybe I'm only just noticing this stuff now. I can see there's lots of new Xmas things we didn't do in 90s, like Elf on Shelf, no idea what that's about either.

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Dinnerlady12 · 04/12/2023 15:10

I've done this for the last 8 years or so and not for social media I don't really post much on social media at all! I put in new jammies, colouring book and pens, chocolates (no hot chocolate my kids don't like it 🙄), bath bomb and usually some crafty stuff to keep them entertained during the day or a gingerbread house. I did used to put a dvd in when I started but don't use them now.

henrysugar12 · 04/12/2023 15:10

Choosychoice · 04/12/2023 15:00

Endless tat which is a grade A waste of the worlds resources. People actually buy pjs to put in them for the use of the Christmas period, then buy a new set of pjs next year.

I buy new nightwear for my dd, but something she can wear year round. I don't see the point in pyjamas that can only be worn once!

girlfriend44 · 04/12/2023 15:10

Do people not get enough of Christmas day then?

Sounds like another ploy for the shops to buy more and the gullible fall for it.

Original poster
Xmasevewhat · 04/12/2023 15:11

girlfriend44 · 04/12/2023 15:10

Do people not get enough of Christmas day then?

Sounds like another ploy for the shops to buy more and the gullible fall for it.

This was my first thought

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Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 15:11

They seem to be a way of turning generally normal items you'd give to your children, without ceremony, into a special event.
Previously, parents may have made hot chocolate and opened a few boxes of nibbles on Christmas eve, these are now packed up with a bow and parents generally made to feel guilty when little Flo doesn't have her own individual sachet of Cadburys on Christmas Eve.

CagneyAndLazy · 04/12/2023 15:12

Xmasevewhat · 04/12/2023 15:11

This was my first thought

Show quote history

Yep. Exactly this and driven on by vacuous SM types.

Whatevs23 · 04/12/2023 15:13

I don't live in the UK, and this thread is the first I've heard of this concept. It's certainly not a thing where I live and wasn't a thing when I was growing up in the UK.

Nineteendays · 04/12/2023 15:13

Mine just have a reusable box that they share. In it they get new pjs as I used to on Xmas eve from my parents. They wear the pjs all year long so not wasteful. I also put in slippers if they need new ones or fluffy socks and chocolates for us to eat while we watch a film before bed. Not really wasteful and quite a nice little thing to do.

Luxell934 · 04/12/2023 15:13

Nevermind Christmas Eve boxes I've seen lots of people doing 1st of December boxes for their children now. Full of very cool instagram worthy junk.