Christmas eve hampers

[attheendoftheday]

Inspired by the christmas traditions thread, I want to do a christmas eve hamper for the dds this year. They're still little (2.7 and 10 months at christmas), what can I put in? I definitely want a dvd to put on - any recommendations? Also things to tempt dd1 into her bath, is she too little for a bath bomb do you think? I don't think she'll find new pyjamas very exciting.

Any advice gratefully received.

And yes, I know it's July, before anyone points it out!

[BiddyPop]

The ickle baby bot in lush is great, full of lavender for sleepy little people!!

[Dackyduddles]

Never thought of this before. Dh will love it. Pinching all ideas shamelessly. :0)

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I used to be a bit meh! about Christmas, going through the motions for the DCs, leaving everything till the last minute etc. Then a couple of years ago I realised that they were growing up fast and I really ought to be throwing myself into it more wholeheartedly and my last couple of Christmases have been so much better, I love starting to think about in September now, whereas before I would have stuck my fingers in my ears and hidden the Christmas topic till December.

[VoldemortsNipple]

I have always done Christmas eve pjs, wrapped up on the end of dcs beds. They evolved into CEH a few years back after reading about them on MN. It just happened to be around the time my youngest dc was becoming a non believer. Can I just say how happy I am to have started the tradition. All of a sudden, I was faced with a dilemma that so many of our traditions had been made redundant. The CEH help to keep a little bit of magic and anticipation on Christmas Eve. We usually get a movie that has been a big blockbuster hit throughout the year for CE and all snuggle down together in our new pjs eating munchies with the House smelling of lush.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I love Lush too, buy a lot of stuff there, but I have not spotted these wands, definitely going to try and remember to look out for them.

I have eczema and very sensitive skin on my face, I use mainly Lush skincare and think its fabulous. The staff are so helpful too.

[Therealamandaclarke]

I love lush. It's one of the places (along with bars and the waxing salon) where I used to spend my pre- children cash.

[fuzzpig]

I will definitely go into Lush - I never have before as it smells so strong! Keep meaning to get a massage bar for DH too :o

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I view CEH as a 'step' to Christmas. With the build up and the excitement , the CEH after The Walk is a calming down stage, not an unnecessary
expense .
And it quickly becomes a Tradition

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Lush is great for those with excema, fun yet safe for the skin. The dream cream is ace too.

[Therealamandaclarke]

I'd imagine a solid oil block would be good for very dry skin, assuming the "perfume" wasn't an irritant. Maybe ask them. I'd also email Lush with these questions so you get their HO response rather than their shop floor advice (lovely though they are)

Asan aside, DS is fanatical about satsumas and apples so his stocking's gonna be a real winner!

[LittleDragon]

I'm thinking of doing a CEH for DS this year as he struggles to settle on Christmas Eve and we usually end up with at least one meltdown (AS). He suffers with eczema so I went into LUSH to ask what they suggested. They are getting a load of new stock in October including Christmassy stuff and I was advised to get a snowman made from the same ingredients as the butter balls!

[fuzzpig]

It'd be great if I could get a lush thing (especially like the sound of the lavender robot!) my DS has nasty eczema so can't usually use fun stuff like that.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

The Lush Star Wands are lovely, DD had one . They last a couple of baths too.

I don't put the Lush goodies in the CEH though, everything would smell of it.
It goes in a cellophane bag on the side.

Primark had fleece PJ / flannel PJ (not sure if the festive ones are in yet. I don't buy festive for my DS, camoflague or bugs)

[fuzzpig]

Thanks for the tips about tkmaxx and lush.

BTW we don't get xmassy pjs, just nice ones, so they are used all year round

[BiddyPop]

We need pjs anyway, and slipper socks are extremely useful in winter too. I would buy DD bath stuff regularly anyway, but a special bomb for Christmas eve is not that expensive but persuades her into the bath (where playing with the water calms her and the lavender in the bomb persuades her to head to sleep!!). And 1 for me is a nice treat for the hols. Hot choc we buy anyway. And the book is the 1 I bought for DD's 1st Christmas, it just gets pulled out for the 1st reading of the Season on Christmas Eve every year. The box is a decent cardboard storage box that I keep larger decorating items in during the year - that are on display over Christmas!!

It probably costs me ?100 in total - but it's only ?10 or so more than I would spend in any event. I usually buy good PJs (eg. M&S) as they will be well worn for months. And I will look out for all bits as I see special offers over the autumn (I work near a major shopping street so do get to pop in for a quick look as I pass regularly).

DD can react to some bath products (we tend to use lots of E45 and the like, but she's ok with Original Source, M&S Lavendar and Lush products too).

[Therealamandaclarke]

Good point whoknowswherethetimegoes.
I do make mince pies. Christmas eve would be a good time to replenish as DH usually eats them all before they've cooled down from the oven.

I'm starting to see my Christmas plan coming together.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We don't do bath stuff or reindeer food in our 1st Dec one, but the DCs usually get a bath bomb in their stocking. Their treat on Christmas Eve is to not have a bath! We make mince pies for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve and put that out with a carrot and a drink.

I tried the PJs on Christmas Eve once, but they only wore them once, didn't want to wear them after Christmas and outgrew them by the next year so that was a waste.

[Therealamandaclarke]

Bugger. I'm going to have to do an Advent box, (PJs, christmas book...) contained within which is a Christmas Eve box (sweets, bath "wand", reindeer food...).

[Therealamandaclarke]

Ooh. 1 December sounds good. Tie it all in with the Adevent.

DH losing interest now (grumpy old git) so I shall be alone in sorting this.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We don't do it on Christmas Eve as I think there's enough going on then, we do it on the 1st Dec so we get a month's use out of the pjs, mugs, DVD etc, plus it marks the start of the celebrations along with getting out the advent calender. We don't get an elf to deliver, just me.

[Therealamandaclarke]

Oh. I think it's just a way of marking Christmas eve dementedma.
Most ppl (I think ) put out something for FC and make it all cosy. There's very little additional expense and i don't think it will be much effort .
But then I only have two small DCs. Perhaps it would be a hassle if there we more or they were older?
Shall I pick you up a box?

[dementedma]

Wasn't a criticism, just impressed at your organisational skills. We don't do presents on Christmas eve as well as Christmas day here, but each to their own. Enjoy!

[BankerMommy2010]

I will look in lush, altho the smell of that place is so overpowering :(

[Therealamandaclarke]

Oh the lush wand thing looks great.

[craftynclothy]

Our box will consist of:

Pyjamas for everyone (would buy for me & the kids anyway and Dh's were £5)
Slippers for Dh & I (would get these anyway and they were only £3.50 each)
Might get slippers for the kids if I see really cheap ones that they might actually wear
Kir Royal (would buy anyway)
Drinks for kids (would be getting anyway)
Toothbrushes (buy anyway)
Xmas book £1.50
Xmas DVD under £3
Santa key (comes out every year)
Packet of popcorn £1
Sweets (quite possibly a tin that my parents buy us)
Reindeer food (doesn't cost anything - usually a handful of oats and some glitter or I might ask a friend for a small bit of hay)

All packed into a box (free) wrapped with leftover Xmas paper