Christmas Eve Hampers!!

[Nat38]

Sorry I know this has been done loads before, but remind me what I need again please!!
I have 2 DD`s ages 13 & 14.
So far I have 1 idea which is a christmas onesie. Have found them on Ebay-just need to buy them!
DD1 is very into her Ds & computer & soft toys, DD2 is into her mates, iPhone & fashion.

Owe have new pjs and slper socks for everyone (DH, DD and I), bath bombs for dd and I, hot choc mix, and the copy of "'twas the night before Christmas" that I got for dd,s first Christmas that we read on Xmas Eve. That's all. Oh, a Christmas beer for DH if I can find one.

But you probably want a nice movie and some popcorn or nice special snack to enjoy the family time, or else a board game or jigsaw to work on together as well.

I have DS ( will be 14) and DD (will be 11.6)

New PJs and maybe a dressing gown

Annual

Jar of sweets (I've bought the jars, now I need to collect sweets with the weekly shopping)

New Christmas mug, sachet of hot chocolate and a small packet of biscuits

Lush Bath Bomb

Last 2 years I've bought a box from HomeSense but this year I'm going to get a basket each, weave ribbon in and tie up with Christmas Cellophane.

Then it gets put in front of the fireplace before we go out on Christmas Eve. Usually for a walk, last year to the cinema.

IMO Christmas Eve Hampers aren't presents per se.
It's just getting the DC relaxed and winding down to get them off to bed.

Nintendo DS /iPhones/ Computer related stuff is for stockings and presents.

I put new pjs, a DVD (usually the new Xmas one, Arthur Xmas, Nativity 2 the last few years), popcorn, sweets etc in a gift bag from the elves along with one of those giant crackers. Then when we go out for whatever reason my neighbour sneaks in and leaves it in fron of the fire!! Dis doesn't believe anymore but dd does! Think they would both be gutted if it didn't happen! You could also put reindeer food in if you don't make it during the day with doc. I find mixing the glitter with bird seed is good cos then the birds eat the seed before dc remember to check the next day!!

New pjs
Hot chocolate
Marshmallows
Baileys ( adults only)
Lush bath bomb
DVD
Sweets (think ill make christmas bark)

Ingredients for a relaxing family night.
All other stuff eg DS is for Christmas Day IMO.

I'm doing a Lush Bath Bomb, New Pyjamas, Book, something treaty and a new toothbrush for OH, DD(18 months) and me :)

New jammies for both girls, hot chocolate making stuff (chocolate powder, marshmallows, squirty cream), gingerbread men, dvd, new bath stuff

New pjs
Christmas DVD
Reindeer food
Snowman soup
Bath bomb

Definitely not proper presents here

new pjs
bubble bath
foam soap
toothbrushes
santa key
reindeer food
slippers if needed
Christmas animal biscuits
letter from santa or elf

thinking of adding a variety pack this morning for Christmas morning

Elizabeth Santa Key is an ornate key (decorated) if you don't have a chimney (to let Father Christmas in through the door. Stops young DC worrying about random people getting into the house. "Santa can get in because he's got the Magical Key" )

I bought an old ornate key from Ebay (it was about £3 on bid) . I'm going to spray it gold them bejewel it and get a nice ribbon.

Then it can hang on the inside of the door for Father Christmas .

(Mine are will be 14 and 11.6 . They are very there, there, as you were Mother

Card factory and poundland, b&m etc do the keys .

Our xmas eve box for dd 10yrs and ds 18yrs(he would be gutted if left out) has pj's, dressing gowns if needed fizzy , alcohol for ds, chocolate , popcorn, 2 dvds

My CEH:

New pjs & slippers for the dc
Expandable flannel
New toothbrushes
Santa's Key
Night before Christmas book (this appears every year in the hamper and is the last book we read together on Christmas Eve)
New DVD
Snowman soup (in a new cup each)
Their stockings (they think Father Christmas takes them back every year and gets the Elves to drop them back on Christmas Eve)
Chocolate Santas

Pyjamas (new for children, but parents get freshly washed)
Christmas Eve story (Stick Man and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, probably)
Hot chocolate, marshmallows and candy canes
Christmas biscuits.
DVD if nothing good on TV, but there almost certainly will be.
Christmas Eve nibbles for dinner.
Nice bath stuff.
Some sort of grown up drink for the grown ups.
Stockings.
Thank-you note from Lumi, the Christmas elf, who has gone back to work with Father Christmas.
Thank you cards for the children to write to people who send them presents.

If key is indoors how does fr Christmas get it?

The dc hang it outside by the back door before going to bed

What age did you start doing Christmas hampers with your children? DD will be 2 just after Christmas. I really want to do one, but she's not going to have a clue what's going on is she?

And what is reindeer food (yes, I know it's food that reindeers eat - but what exactly is that?)?

We hang our Santa key up on our wee tree by the front door! Always get a small real tree and put lights on it by the front door!
chestynut what's Christmas bark?!!

snowgirl reindeer food us oats or bird seed mixed with glitter or coloured sugar. The glitter guides the reindeer to the food! I started CEH when my doc were very small - age 2 is perfect! She 'll get excited about new pjs and a lovely book etc! Make the reindeer food with her during the day and sprinkle it before bedtime!

I think dd1 was 3 the first time I did it.

She got freaked out by the thought of elves coming into her room and had a nightmare.

That said, dd2 is only 2yo and she has been part of it since she was born because we do it for dd1. She won't have the foggiest this year but next year we have to try and do it a way that won't freak her out!

I do porridge oats and edible glitter I think I will put it in a bowl though which will obv be empty in the morning. Don't want the hedgehogs to eat it

pinot it's lovely
Did a trial run at the weekend.

Nice and easy to do with DCs too.

Melt chocolate, mix in chosen ingredients. I did macademia nuts and cranberry. Smooth into tin. Fridge for 30 mins then break up into random pieces and package up.

I did milk chocolate and drizzled white chocolate over the top.

Think ill do crushed candy canes in white chocolate for Family DCs
Maybe cranberry and pistachio for adults.

Ooh sounds lovely! Think I'll have to try this!! Thanks x

Pretty standard stuff here;

New PJs and Fluffy Bed Socks
Snow Man Soup (hot choc mix)
Christmas bedtime story book (probably the last year for that one)
Magic Reindeer Food.

If we're going to be in all evening, I add in a Christmas DVD and some treats like nice chocolates, biscuits or microwave popcorn. We often go to the cinema on Christmas eve so the DVD and treats aren't necessary.

There is a fantastic recipe for peppermint bark which has a layer of white chocolate, a layer of mint-flavored ganache and another layer of white chocolate, topped with crushed candy canes. I ate obscene amounts of it last year.