Christmas Eve boxes

[Galena]

I know some people do these. If you do, could you explain to me what you put in them and when you open them? Are they from FC or from you?

I have bought DD some new pyjamas and we got a Santa cookie set free with a purchase, so I was pondering whether I might do a Christmas Eve box this year.

Any suggestions? Advice? (DD is 4 in case it makes a difference)

Ours is from the elves before they leave, but I used to do it before we had elves too. I can't remember who I told them it was from, they didn't care much though, they were just excited to get a present and be allowed to open it right now!

I'm only doing it for the first time this year but it's from the Elves and when we come back from Christmas Eve dinner it's going to be waiting in the living room in a big wicker basket. Pjs for both DD's, a DVD to watch, new toothbrushes, bubble bath, cookies and a bone for the dog.

I hear its good way of encouraging early bedtime

We are doing new pj's, crazy soap (for bed time bath) and a book (to read before bed). I do it from us.

Doing it for the first time this year but it's just things we would have got previous years in a box. So far pyjamas, a relaxing dvd, hot chocolate, a new mug, little biscuits, a decoration for the tree, a book and a cuddly toy. Probably with something for the bath but haven't got that yet. We've also put in a new night light but we had bought that already, just kept it back for the box.

Hoping it will encourage an early bedtime. We're thinking of saying it's from the elves (not the elf on the shelf as we don't do that) but I think I'll keep it vague.

DSs get a present from Father Christmas each Christmas Eve left on their beds in the late afternoon.
Always has pyjamas, and a book/annual to read when they should be going to sleep .
Sometimes add slippers/dressing gown if needed - so every 3years or so.
Ditto with duvet cover set.
This year they are getting new stockings so they will be included too.

Mine are having pjs, hot chocolate, magic reindeer food, chocolate coins, new toothbrush and a magic Santa key.

These are stuff that would have gone into the stocking anyway or I would have given on Xmas eve

My mum always gave us new pjs on Xmas eve.

We are having a box
We are all having new PJ bottoms, even DP's who are staying with us. Bottle of Baileys for the adults, hot choc and marshmallows for DS, big tub of Heroes, Christmas Yankee candle, gingerbread house kit and a net of chestnuts to roast on the fire. With the exception of the DP's pyjamas (I prefer not to delve too deeply into their bedroom habits ) it is all stuff I would have bought anyway. In any case they are buying their own so no cost to the Crotch coffers
DS is on the cusp of not believing so the hamper will be a general family gift rather than arouse his suspicions further :( We will have it when we get in from Christmas Eve ice skating

We did this for the first time last year and DD remembers it with much excitement (not that it was really that exciting!)

I put in some Christmas mugs (cheap, from 99p shop, and we'll keep these for this year too). Also the ingredients to make nice hot chocolate, including marshmallows, sprinkles, squirty cream etc. There were pyjamas for DD, and a couple of DVDs. Oh, and a bar of chocolate for DD and some 'nice' biscuits / truffles (can't remember) for us.

We were out for Christmas Eve afternoon, and returned for the evening meal. I left the Christmas box sitting in the living room while we ate, and then sent DD in to see if she could find anything 'interesting' for pudding. I didn't give the elves any credit though - it was very much a family thing. Ooops. We all changed into our pyjamas and snuggled up on the sofa to drink the HC and watch the DVD.

It was totally an idea that I picked up from MN, but DD loved it. We'll see if the novelty has worn off this year.

Chanie - what's a magic santa key? [shameless nicking ideas here!]

Magic Santa Key is for if you don't have a chimney.
I bought an old metal key from eBay and I tried to polish it up, but it looks a bit dull. So I 'm going to spray it gold and add a ribbon.
(My DC are 11.6 and 14 and we do have a chimney, but I'm doing this as an extra decoration this year)

Christmas Eve Hampers: left in front of the fire for when they get back from the walk or cinema trip.
PJs
Annual
Mug (not Christmas ones this year)
hot chocolate
small pack of biscuits
Lush Bath Bomb (not in with the food though)
Glass jar of sweets

I've got plastic 'wicker' square boxes that can be used as storage after, cellophane and huge red bows.

DC know they are from us, but they 'believe' it's from The Elves to keep me happy.

Ours will be our Elf on the shelf's parting gift.
It will contain:
Pajamas for DS (3) and me. DH is not much of a PJ wearer, will get some festive pants for him!
New book - www.amazon.co.uk/Pajama-Elves-Hayden-Edwards/dp/1479155063/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386269891&sr=1-1&keywords=pajama+elves
And a copy of The Night Before Christmas
Possibly a new mug for the hot chocolate. I'd do the whole extra-special hot chocolate with squirty cream but none of us actually like the stuff.

A new towel for DS for after his Xmas Eve bath. He has had his favourite one since he was one, and it barely skims his bum now, and Cuddledry have finally bought out a 3-6 year old's animal towel. cuddledry.com/shop/9 with 20% off at the moment with code SNUGGLE.
Maybe a bathbomb too.

We do this. There is a knock on the door in the afternoon of Christmas eve and a box is found on the doorstep from the elves.

Inside will be:

Christmas jammies
Arthur Christmas dvd
Dear father Christmas book
Hot chocolate
Lush father Christmas bath bomb
Lush star bubble wand
Magic reindeer food

Its all designed around winding down for bedtime nicebath watch a dvd etc. The children love it and so do I.

We have a sack which magically appears sometime on Christmas Eve,usually just after we hear some mysterious jingle bells. It will include some pj's, a new Christmas DVD, our copy of the night before Christmas (it gets put away every year after Christmas) and maybe some kind of treat. Oh, and DS's stocking which he can then hang on his bed. The sack is usually filled with smaller presents by Santa. Books, dvd's, - things that are physically too big for his stocking.

The ones I do for my boys are a gift from us.

This year they include:

Pyjamas
Slippers
Personlised towel
New toothbrush
Cuddly toy
A present to unwrap on Christmas Eve (a book each)
Their Christmas stockings
Their Santa Stop Here bedroom door signs

One child will have 'The Night Before Christmas' book in theirs and the other will have Father Christmas' magic key.

I give mine around bedtime so all the things are bath time and bed time things then they have a Christmas Eve present a tradition from my own childhood which is something they can take to bed like a book or cuddly toy (or this year both because I saw the perfect cuddly toy after I had brought books).