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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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Needmorelego · 04/12/2023 16:59

@moggerhanger the Yule Cat ?
I like the sound of that 😂

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:01

Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 16:58

"Nothing is wasteful".

Your children are so fortunate to have reindeer to feed.

Show quote history

Gosh you are so right 5gr of porridge oats and a spec of edible glitter do get washed away - but the school gets a £1 donation to the funds so I can't bring myself to cry about it.

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:04

Needmorelego · 04/12/2023 16:59

@moggerhanger the Yule Cat ?
I like the sound of that 😂

If you give it stuff does it stop climbing your tree and eating your baubles?

topnoddy · 04/12/2023 17:05

A capitalist con to get people to buy more useless crap that no doubt will end up in landfill is what it is

KenAdams · 04/12/2023 17:05

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.

Oh so you do know what they are? Why have you started a thread pretending you don't then?

keye · 04/12/2023 17:06

Your children are so fortunate to have reindeer to feed.

This made me laugh, but not in the way the author hoped.

Puffinshop · 04/12/2023 17:06

Verv · 04/12/2023 15:18

The name is new, but it's an Icelandic tradition. We used to do it when I was kid.
It's usually a Christmas Eve gift of some fresh pjs and a book to sit with while drinking a hot chocolate.

I dont really agree that it's a push to spend extra money, because mine was basically xmas gifts divided into two with pjs and a book gifted the night before.

It's sweet and I like it.

It's got nothing to do with Iceland. In Iceland the 24th is the main day (like in Germany and many other countries) so it isn't 'Christmas Eve' like in the UK - everyone opens all their presents on the evening of the 24th.

sunglassesonthetable · 04/12/2023 17:07

Your children are so fortunate to have reindeer to feed.

Didn't yours !? Honestly we always fed FC and the Reindeers.

TheKeatingFive · 04/12/2023 17:07

A capitalist con to get people to buy more useless crap that no doubt will end up in landfill is what it is

I hear landfill is chock full of hot chocolate 😮

Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 17:08

Very expensive for 5g. I'd be having a chat with the governing body about the cost of living.

Make sure you have a chat with the children and explain that real reindeer would need a little more than 5g.

Alternative you could use the tradition that I've just invented and suggest the Christmas eve mouse is eating on behalf of the reindeer this year.

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:09

Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 17:08

Very expensive for 5g. I'd be having a chat with the governing body about the cost of living.

Make sure you have a chat with the children and explain that real reindeer would need a little more than 5g.

Alternative you could use the tradition that I've just invented and suggest the Christmas eve mouse is eating on behalf of the reindeer this year.

to be honest, with the COL crisis they may be getting tiny bowls of glittery porridge for Christmas Day breakfast

sunglassesonthetable · 04/12/2023 17:10

*Very expensive for 5g. I'd be having a chat with the governing body about the cost of living.

Make sure you have a chat with the children and explain that real reindeer would need a little more than 5g.

Alternative you could use the tradition that I've just invented and suggest the Christmas eve mouse is eating on behalf of the reindeer this year.*

You're trying too hard.

Puffinshop · 04/12/2023 17:12

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:04

If you give it stuff does it stop climbing your tree and eating your baubles?

Show quote history

The Christmas cat is a monstrous enormous cat who will eat you if you don't get new clothes for Christmas. He is bigger than a house so he won't be able to climb your tree.

It is a tradition that encourages people to finish their handicrafts before Christmas / to be charitable - depending on interpretation.

Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 17:13

TheKeatingFive · 04/12/2023 17:07

A capitalist con to get people to buy more useless crap that no doubt will end up in landfill is what it is

I hear landfill is chock full of hot chocolate 😮

No, but I hear there are a fair few little packets of hot chocolate sachets filling up landfill after Christmas.

User136921 · 04/12/2023 17:13

Really it is all done to create a picture of middle class cosiness.

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:14

Puffinshop · 04/12/2023 17:12

The Christmas cat is a monstrous enormous cat who will eat you if you don't get new clothes for Christmas. He is bigger than a house so he won't be able to climb your tree.

It is a tradition that encourages people to finish their handicrafts before Christmas / to be charitable - depending on interpretation.

Show quote history

I'd still want to love it to death and feed it Dreamies

Needmorelego · 04/12/2023 17:15

@Bleakmidwinter1977 yes but the reindeer will be getting oats from every house they stop at so they should be well fed. Everyone knows that's why Father Christmas is so round - a mince pie at every house. And whiskey. He must be well tipsy by the time he reaches Hawaii 😂

sunglassesonthetable · 04/12/2023 17:16

Really it is all done to create a picture of middle class cosiness.

And?

lemmein · 04/12/2023 17:16

Every.single.year these threads appear, so fucking boring. Next year i'm going to resurrect a few zombie threads in November to save the whingers from typing.

We had new jarmies, hot choc and a book on Xmas eve when I was a kid...I'm 45. It's not a new thing, nor is it mandatory, if you don't want to do it just don't. Is it the actual box people object to? Confused

I don't understand why other people give a shit what other people do to bring a bit of magic into their little ones lives. It's always occasions that revolve around kids that bring out the moaners, gender reveals, proms, Xmas, kids parties, etc. Mothers/Fathers/Valentines Day/engagements/weddings generate a fair amount of tat too but don't attract the same incessant grumbles from posters, it's odd.

Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 17:17

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:09

to be honest, with the COL crisis they may be getting tiny bowls of glittery porridge for Christmas Day breakfast

Show quote history

Put it into a box, called it a Christmas breakfast box, make it a new tradition, or tell them this was how grandma ate breakfast in 1942, no doubt they will love it so much that you will have to defend your choice of glittery porridge on here every year.

Please ensure you feed your children the edible glitter, this will ensure an annual trip to A&E doesn't become another new tradition.

StephanieSuperpowers · 04/12/2023 17:17

User136921 · 04/12/2023 17:13

Really it is all done to create a picture of middle class cosiness.

You've completely turned me around. This is clearly a hideous practice and I will refuse to be part of it any more. Middle class? Cosy? Not today, Satan.

TheKeatingFive · 04/12/2023 17:18

Really it is all done to create a picture of middle class cosiness.

So like a tree, a turkey dinner, mince pies and reading 'the night before Christmas' then?

Im sensing a theme

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2023 17:19

StephanieSuperpowers · 04/12/2023 17:17

You've completely turned me around. This is clearly a hideous practice and I will refuse to be part of it any more. Middle class? Cosy? Not today, Satan.

Show quote history

Yes - I'm going to turn the heating off and make everyone sit on spikes so it's less cosy

Bleakmidwinter1977 · 04/12/2023 17:19

Needmorelego · 04/12/2023 17:15

@Bleakmidwinter1977 yes but the reindeer will be getting oats from every house they stop at so they should be well fed. Everyone knows that's why Father Christmas is so round - a mince pie at every house. And whiskey. He must be well tipsy by the time he reaches Hawaii 😂

It's quite disgusting that people continue to feed Santa and provide alcohol in such copious amounts. Teaches the children nothing about driving under the influence and reinforces the obesity epidemic.