Christmas Eve Boxes - what's the point?

[imaddictedtomn]

My friend and I were out today and saw a place selling Christmas Eve boxes.

The woman selling them said they were very popular.

Is this a thing now?

My friend and I were of the same mind - Do DC's not get enough on Christmas Day that they have to have more stuff on Christmas Eve?

Or are we missing something?

I've only just had a chance to get back to this post - I wasn't expecting so many replies!

I'm surprised how many of you do it (some of you for generations) because I don't know a single person IRL who does it.

I'm afraid I'm still in the camp of my DD gets enough on Christmas Day and doesn't need more presents on Christmas Eve. I also don't feel I need to make it feel special. Christmas Eve is the most special evening of the year anyway and luckily my DD is very good about going to bed. I use the "the sooner you go to sleep, the sooner it'll be morning" line and it seems to work.

Reading this post made me want a hot chocolate so I've just made one for myself and DD

Oh and one more thing. I would never wear brand new PJs without washing them. So this would never work for me anyway unless I secretly washed and dried the new PJs before putting them in the box.

We always got pyjamas on Christmas Eve when I was little in the 1970s and 80s, so it's not a new thing.

It doesn't involve spending extra money, or excessive consumerism. It's just a nice way of making everyday stuff feel a bit more special.

Ours has pyjamas (just normal ones, not Christmas themed), sleepy bath bombs, thank-you cards ready for writing thank-you notes, stationery for writing to Father Christmas, the same three books we read every year, and the Christmas stockings.

It's just a way of getting over-exciting kids into the bath and pjs without a fuss, plus maybe an activity to keep them busy while I peel the veg.

I also would never wear new pjs without washing them - formaldehyde gas is used before packing to reduce wrinkling and prevent mildew when they are shipped over from the sweatshops in China/India in massive containers in September.

I live in the frozen north and cold weather seems to be sorted by central heating, a good coat etc rather than fluffy socks etc especially as our winters are not all that cold anymore.

I earn a good wage but don’t think I could stretch to three loads of PJs, Xmas bed linen for each child etc just for Xmas eve.

And it’s not a necessary part of having a good Xmas Eve, you can do plenty without buying a load more stuff.

In certain countries people don't have Boxing Day (it's an Anglo Saxon thing) but give each other presents on Christmas Eve instead. In these countries the 26th of December is still considered part of Christmas but they don't hand out presents on this day.

I think in France they exchange gifts st midnight on Xmas eve -I think I remember this as a child.

The Dutch Santa seems to be hardcore - he leaves gifts in your shoes and kidnaps you if you have been naughty

I don't think any other countries have boxing day actually

Australia has Boxing Day

My mum did it for us (30 or so years ago) - new pjs, warm drinks, and our copy of the Night before Christmas. All there when we got back from the 4pm carols around the crib.

We'll be doing the same I don't think I need an actual box though.

It doesn't involve spending extra money, or excessive consumerism

Perfectly possible to do a little something without spending lots, but if you see the sort of boxes posted on FB there has been quite a lot of money spent!

I'd hazard a guess that FB show offs do not represent the majority of people. People just quietly going about their traditions in the privacy of their own homes.

I wouldn't tell people in RL or post it on FB unless it came up in a specific conversation like it has here and I felt like chatting. I can't think of a single person other than my mother I have mentioned our Christmas Eve box to and that was because I wanted to know if she and my dad wanted some PJs too because they were staying over for Christmas. They did not because they sleep naked apparently 🙈

I do an advent box that the elf brings on the 1st December.
It contains our Christmas throw, some books and advent calendars. My Christmas t pot and the boys Christmas mugs.
This is just a box that lives in the loft all year and all I add to it is some Christmas biscuits and chocolates.
The joy of re discovering the forgotten Christmas goodies!!

I can’t wait to start our own traditions now I’m married and we have our son. It’s what it’s al about for me. I want to put things out for Santa and watch the Snowman together and stuff. I did it when I was a kid, me and my sisters kids did things together and now it’s my turn with my son. I freaking love Christmas.

I earn a good wage but don’t think I could stretch to three loads of PJs, Xmas bed linen for each child etc just for Xmas eve.

You don't buy new stuff every year for the Christmas eve box. 90% of the contents are the same stuff each year. Obviously consumables like popcorn/chocolate need to change but mostly it's not new stuff. Christmas eve is special because it's the same thing year after year.

I live in the frozen north and cold weather seems to be sorted by central heating, a good coat etc rather than fluffy socks etc especially as our winters are not all that cold anymore.

You know it's infinitely healthier to wear warm socks and clothes over relying on central heating right? Both for our own bodily health and for the planets. Use of central heating should be kept to a minimum by making sure you are adequately dressed for the time of year, even indoors. You can't come over all high handed about consumerism ruining the planet and then advocate using central heating instead of warm socks, pjs and extra blankets!!!

We also have always given new pjs under the tree on Christmas Eve maybe with slippers and dressing gowns if little ones have grown out of last years. Christmas breakfast and stockings in PJs is a tradition in our house so the year DD’s boyfriend didn’t own any it could’ve been awkward if he hadn’t been given them. When DC were small we also sometimes gave them other ‘to wear’ presents then so they could wear them after breakfast on Christmas Day before present opening.

Never heard of xmas eve box,but it’s nice if it’s a few wee things.like the idea of new pj for the kids to wear xmas

Solidly middle class here. My children never ever put their PJs on without me shouting at them.
For the last couple of years, elves have delivered them along with hot chocolate just after Carols at Kings starts. That meant by children were dressed for bed at 4pm and I could quaff champagne with the neighbours elves. Worth it imo

I love Christmas Eve boxes as I love Christmas Eve more that the day itself. I put in pyjamas, blankets, a DVD, bath stuff, hot chocolate. Anything that you would normally do nice on Christmas Eve (baking, reading) I just put in the box. My kids love it.

Lol I’d suggest it’s a bit too cold in scotland to do without central heating! Even with warm socks. Although it rarely snows st Xmas anymore I can’t really see us all shivering round the Xmas tree in our festive dressing gowns socks and onesies!

So do you just recycle the pyjamas and DVD’s?

TBH I’m a bit of a meanie and prefer to keep gifts for Christmas stockings and round the tree.

On Xmas eve we generally have a meal with the family - I’m usually at work on Xmas Eve until late afternoon- and play some games, have friends round.

Growing up we never really had a lot of presents - it was just things like writing g paper, embroidered handkerchiefs from aged aunts and Sindy clothes/furniture!

You can do it any way you like or not do it at all :) I'm not into spending loads at Christmas. I find the excessive consumption obscene but I do love a few traditions and spending time together is important and getting out the Christmas Eve box is a precursor and a facilitator to a cosy night in together.

If I can be arsed remember I bung in our copy of The Night Before Christmas and our The Snowman or Father Christmas DVD or we might watch Elf on Prime. Or just plan to watch whatever Christmassy animation Channel 4 is planning to show. So no great expense.

Put the stocking in (same ones every year) and I get new pyjamas because we can use a new pair at least once a year so it's money I would be spending any way. They are usually cheap although last year I splurged on John Lewis reindeer onesies for the dc. I won't bother again - they went all bobbly by Feb Otherwise it's Tesco or Sainbo's here.

We don't have any central heating. It gets them off to bed fairly easily so I can then stay up wrapping and listening to Carols from Kings in peace.

The pyjamas are used for the rest of the year. Christmas Eve is just the date that new pyjamas are given. For adults who don't outgrow their nightwear annually, they get new pyjamas if they need them, and if not, their nicest pair goes in the box.

I don't do DVDs because there's always something good on TV anyway, although my children don't love The Snowman as much as I do.

The books get reused each year too, and are special because they are just for Christmas Eve.

But I'm a bit of a cheapskate/lover of tradition because some of the stocking presents are also reused from year to year.

Yep we have a Christmas Eve box, it’s delivered by the elf and it contains hot chocolate, although we call it snowman soup on Christmas Eve
I’m terribly working class.
The point is, the kids love it, and surely that’s what Christmas is all about?