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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Talk to me about Christmas eve hampers/ presents

50 replies

olibeansmummy · 11/09/2011 14:39

One the one hand I think having new pjs, hot chocolate and snuggling up with a film is a lovely idea, but at the same time I feel it's all a bit MUCH. I mean, what's next? Boxing day presents? I've seen people spending up to £50 on them! Not having a dig at anyone who does them, just trying to decide whether doing one would be spoiling ds too much or if it doesn't matter coz it's Christmas. What do others do? And what would you include/ how would you present it to be lovely but not over the top?

OP posts:

IsItMeOr · 20/09/2011 13:23

LemonDifficult you could be right about the secularisation thing. As a humanist, I subscribe to the view that we have a basic human need for special occasions during the year, and Christmas is the biggest of these for us living in England.

The christmas eve hamper sounds like a nice tradition to me, and as others have said, needn't be a huge extra expense.

melodyangel · 20/09/2011 13:31

We set up the nativity on xmas eve in DS2 bedroom and then get out bits for santa and the reindeer we open the xmas chocolates and all have one. I love the christmas hamper idea but DS's get that stuff as xmas pressies.

I decorate DS2's bedroom for him with old xmas bits on the last day of term ready for when he gets home from school.

I love that DS1 (17) now gets to join in all the fun of setting out the pressies with us, Plus he is learning just how much effort we put in behind the scenes.

Machin11 - Good luck with the baby making.

SingingSands · 20/09/2011 13:40

What lovely ideas!

Last Christmas Eve I hosted a party for my daughter - I had 12 six year old girls in the house for 4 hours, we did christmas crafts, a dvd and then games and they all ended up completely loopy, playing a game involving jumping from sofa to sofa! It was exhausting, but really good fun and the other mothers really appreciated it (time for last minute pressie wrapping!). Not sure if I'll do it again, but it was a lovely afternoon and DD practically fell into bed afterwards she was so tired out!

LemonDifficult · 20/09/2011 13:47

'A basic human need for special occasions during the year'. Not sure about that. I think we have a basic human need for water, shelter, affection... I don't really see that we have a need for pixies to bring dvds, or whatever.

I think the 'hamper' on top of the stocking presents and presents under the tree is a bit much. It's a Hallmark-isation of Christmas Eve, a commercialisation too far for me (and, yes, don't kid yourself it isn't consumerism: you are buying the dvd, the pjs, the hot chocolate, bath foam).

Sleepyspaniel · 20/09/2011 16:14

LemonDifficult:"'A basic human need for special occasions during the year'. Not sure about that. I think we have a basic human need for water, shelter, affection... I don't really see that we have a need for pixies to bring dvds, or whatever." Sheesh! You're a bundle of fun aren't you! "The Christmas Eve stuff seems to be a modern way of trying to pile meaning and mysticism into a Christmas Day that's essentially empty of religion." NO, the Christmas Eve stuff is loving parents trying to give their DCs an extra bit of fun and happiness in a world that isn't much fun or happy a lot of the time.

What a killjoy. Are you for real?

oldraver · 20/09/2011 16:14

So what ? If thats what people want to do its up to them you go and have your religiony Christmas and others will have their Hallmark one.

BTW most people on here seem to want to make some 'traditions' for their DC's and really the chocolates etc are periphery. Its the wonderment of a child when they see in the morning Santa/Father Christmas etc Mum has eaten the mince pie they helped bake buy from M+S or where the reindeer have left their footprints.

IsItMeOr · 20/09/2011 17:03

Lemon perhaps you've not come across Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

I'm thinking that this desire for family/community traditions probably falls into the Love/belonging section.

Original poster

olibeansmummy · 20/09/2011 17:04

Singing sands I bet their parents LOVED you!!!

OP posts:

LemonDifficult · 20/09/2011 18:55

Hey, I'm no killjoy, I love Christmas, and as for leaving people to do their own thing while I do mine - of course, but this thread is 'let's talk about Christmas Eve hampers'!

And, no, buying a hot chocolate hamper is NOT what is meant in by Love/Belonging in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Cf. the UNICEF thread. Love and Belonging are something much more fundamental.

LadyMary · 20/09/2011 18:58

I do a Christmas box for the kids to share - its cheap and cheerful and I do it because I think Christmas Eve is the best bit of Christmas and the kids are at their peak of excitement then. Our boxes contain PJs, a Christmas DVD and chocolates. Oh, and I am not even a Christian

AnyoneButLulu · 20/09/2011 19:07

We have Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve, so that fills up our need for special stuff. But afterwards I curl up in bed with the DCs and read them How The Grinch Stole Christmas before bed while they drink their hot chocolate (which they have at bedtime every night anyway).

I am tempted by the special PJs thing but a) it'll be chilly in early December so they'll need them then and B) Have you seen the queues in Primark?

Original poster

olibeansmummy · 20/09/2011 19:27

LMAO at a thread about Christmas eve hampers turning into an analysis of Maslows heirachy of needs!

OP posts:

IsItMeOr · 20/09/2011 20:28

Link to the UNICEF thread please?

And I was talking about the more general need for traditions, rather than claiming a human need for hot chocolate hampers. But that wouldn't fit well with your apparent desire to sneer I guess.

LemonDifficult · 20/09/2011 21:50

I'm not sneering, read back and you'll see I give my DCs Christmas pjs.

It's just that there isn't a chocolate/pjs/dvd hamper-brought-by-elves tradition. It's a product of 'what more can we provide for our kids? 'cos a story about Baby Jesus isn't enough, Santa bringing a stocking isn't enough, presents under the tree aren't enough... We must have more and we must make it a 'tradition'.' The UNICEF thread

I think it's a bit of an indictment on how under pressure people are and how commercialised things have got. I probably wouldn't be making this stand if everyone said 'On Christmas Eve we all go for a walk/make biscuits', it's the idea of more gifts in the guise of tradition that I'm uneasy about.

BornToFolk · 20/09/2011 22:07

I know where you're coming from Lemon. We've done the new PJs for Christmas Eve thing for DS but this year I was thinking of getting him some bubble bath too and maybe some hot chocolate....but then I'm holding myself back as he gets so much STUFF (on top of all the stuff he'll get for his birthday in October and what he has already) at Christmas and does he need any more?

cathers · 20/09/2011 22:11

Oh cheer up lemon! There also isn't enough joy and laughter in the world, and if me making a box, filling it with a note, pjs and book (disclosure: often the nativity story) , makes my children and family happy, what's the harm?!

My children understand the Jesus was a gift from God, and hence that is why presents are given between us mere mortals, and if we are going to tell them Santa brings them on Christmas night, I reckon the elves deserve a mention too?

dearprudence · 20/09/2011 22:26

I'm doing a hamper for DS for the first time this year. He's 9 and only partly believing in Father Christmas, so this will be from us.

It won't cost me anything extra because FC usually gets him 2 pairs of PJs (this year he'll get 1), and a DVD. I'm only going to put some hot chocolate and snacks in that we'd have anyway, and a bit of bubble bath costs buttons.

For me, the thing that really appeals is that I know he will love having this special time with us that's focused on him. So it's actually more about quality time than the gift itself. So we'll have the fun bathtime, and put on our new pyjamas, then snuggle under a blanket and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. I can't wait.

oldraver · 20/09/2011 22:30

I think as well your assuming children will be getting 'lots' and pre Christmas rituals are an indulgent extra. Well not all children will be showered with masses of presents for whatever reason. Some parents cant afford too, some may choose NOT too and others think 'what the hell'.. it doesnt matter either way as its the memories that are made that are important.

Also I believe the thread title is Christmas Eve hampers so thats what has been discussed not .... not are you going for a walk on Christmas Eve/making biscuits/donating to charity etc..... so that hasnt been talked about but I'm sure alot of posters do as well.

I dont think people are 'under pressure or bowing to commercialism' just because they buy a new pair of PJ's at Christmas and dont think I should admit that it also looks nice on the Christmas photos for DS to have a pair of PJ's not at half mast

IsItMeOr · 20/09/2011 22:37

Thanks Lemon.

I can see your point about not just getting more and more things piled upon things for our dc. But I'm still struggling with your talking about children becoming more materialistic (UNICEF), Christmas being secularised and also consumerism. I'm not sure they're all the same thing.

So I am arguing for traditions which needn't cost any money at all, or indeed necessarily involve acquiring any extra stuff (the majority of our DCs are lucky enough that they will get pjs when they need them anyway). But they are about giving our DCs our time and attention so that hopefully they and we get some special memories.

Perhaps the non-religious need to put a bit more effort into making new traditions of our own, as some of the classically traditional ones (e.g. crib service) aren't meaningful to us?

Off to bed now, as I suspect I'm rambling!

OvO · 20/09/2011 22:48

I do a Christmas eve hamper. I go all out and spend a fortune.

But the hamper is a gift from my DS2 to his brothers. He was stillborn (and due Christmas day) so it's such a nice way to bring him into Christmas for us all. A happy way, and then my two boys talk all year about what their brother brought them. In fact it was only a couple of weeks ago that I heard my 6 year old tell his best friend all about his other brother and how he has magic and goes to the north pole and gets them a hamper every year then flies back to his grave. Was totally matter of fact and made me smile.

I buy toys, colouring books, new plates and cups for Xmas meal, pyjamas, socks, bath stuff, DVDs, books, and all sorts.

IsItMeOr · 20/09/2011 22:51

OvO that sounds such a lovely happy way to commemorate your DS.

OvO · 20/09/2011 23:47

Thank you, IsIt.

LordOfTheFlies · 21/09/2011 00:08

Ovo I saw what you had written about Christmas Eve hampers on another thread and I thought it was so sweet but sad at the same time.
So it would be, to your DC, a birthday present from their brother to them (but for his birthday, if you see what I mean)

I bet those presents mean so much to them.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 21/09/2011 11:26

I dont have a relgious bone in my body, but i love it as a subject within which i am well read. When my children are older i will explain the history or Christmas to them, which will include all the religious gumf. Same as Easter etc. And it wont begin with a baby....The Pagans will come first, then an explination of the roman council. Not some wishy washy business about donkeys and stars and such.

In the mean time, whilst my children are so small, it is all about the magic and the presents :) I want them to have things they will enjoy, i want them to have a floor full of presents left by some magical man. I cant quite afford it, so i pad it out with things i would have bought anyway, clothing, food goods, school things, etc. I love the look on their faces when they see it all. I only buy gifts for them on 'occasions' birthdays, easter and christmas. so i like to make a bit more of a show about it at these times.

The simplest explination is I like it. and i dont need a better reason than that.

inchoccyheaven · 21/09/2011 14:11

I have done the xmas eve hamper for the past few years for my boys ( 9 and 11) and it doesn't cost very much but contains special treats like mini marshmellows and squirty cream to have with hot chocolate. Both of which cost less than a £1 each and then they have new pjs, a new xmas mug and a cheap dvd ( £5 or under) I was a bit sceptical about the hampers to start with but the boys really liked it so I will carry it on.

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