Traumatic Christmas traditions

[Umleila]

Someone just mentioned that a friend of hers was told as a child that elves had pointy feet so they could poke out the eyes of children who peeped on Christmas night! How horrendous is that?

And an acquaintance told me in all seriousness that she always threw away all her childrens' Christmas presents when they went back to school, 'as they have got tired of them by then anyway'.

Anyone got any more traumatic Christmas tradtions?

Nothing to add but OMG at the Elves story. THat is horrid.

Being forced to eat more than I actually want, e.g.

Mil: Oh you haven't got much on your plate at all! Are you sure you've got enough? Really? Please have some more...

and so on. Me in extreme discomfort from over eating and eventually being sick, unknown to Mil. Nothing spoils a meal more than being forced to eat it. Fortunately no longer have to do this anymore.

The things that Umleila mentions are really appalling.

sprouts

A friend just told me that she knew a woman who threw away all the toys that were not wooden that were given to her baby...

Not being able to go to bed until stupidly late to make sure Santa doesn't wake DCs.

Not being able to get to sleep because of ridiculous level of excitement.

Finally falling asleep to be woken 10 minutes later by "HE'S BEEN! HE'S BEEN!" at 5:30am.