1st Dec box

[SweetPeaPods]

I’m thinking of making the dc a 1st Dec box. With their advent calendars in, Christmas pjs (so they get more wear than putting in Christmas Eve box), Elf on shelf, Christmas reward chart, but can’t think what else. Anyone else do this, what do you put in?
Will probably still do a Christmas Eve box with Christmas Eve, popcorn, Santa key, reindeer food.

Why? Just give them the bloody advent calendar and be done with it. Christmas is just one day - kids don't need boxes on extraneous other days.

I've got a couple of Xmas activity books, a second hand Xmas wii game I got for £2 on eBay, and a couple of new Xmas decorations. I might not put them all in a box on Dec 1st, but will give them around then to use through the month.

No. Just their calendar. IMO it’s getting ridiculous now. Dec 1st box, Xmas eve box, elf on the shelf. Gaaaa!

Just no.

No from me too. Our calendars are left in the hallway with our reindeer. I think another box would be too much.

Maybe choose 1st Dec instead of Christmas Eve?

Seems like other posters don't understand the question in the op😏
I wouldn't do much more than that. Maybe a bauble first the tree each or a cheapy selection box.
Nothing wrong with having a long festive period, it's a happy time. There's enough dreary days, just enjoy it 🎄🎄

I knew you'd get those responses the minute I read the title.... yeah it's all a bit much but so what, do what makes you happy.

Dd gets a bag on 1st December, it has her advent calendar in and then other bits that she can use for the month.

This year we've got new:
Christmas activity books
Couple of craft sets
A colour in gingerbread house from Lidl

Recycled every year
Christmas mug
Christmas cup
Bedding
Christmas tree wolly hat

As a PP has said it's a nice time, enjoy it there's enough misery and dreary days what's the harm in a bit of excitement

I would probably just do a December 1st box, rather than as well as a Christmas Eve box.

If you do elf on a shelf, you could always have it so the elf "delivers" the box on December 1st.

I would probably include:
Christmas PJs
Advent calendar
A festive book or DVD
Tickets for anything festive you have planned (Santa visit, pantomime, cinema trip, etc)
Homemade tickets/vouchers for things like a film night in, a takeaway, making Christmas biscuits, etc
A new bauble or Christmas decoration

Woolly hat! And I forgot a pack of Christmas socks and jumper

I agree. It's getting beyond the joke now.
Mine just have their presents on Christmas Day and maybe one small gift on Christmas eve.

Last year I spent a fortune on advent calendars for them that they soon lost interest in.
This year when discussing advent calendars my son very refreshingly said, "I've seen a really cool one where you open a door each day and each door has a different picture behind it!" (that's coming from an 11 year old!).

So many miserable responses.
It's a magical time of year, bloody enjoy it, more to the point let the bloody kids enjoy it!

Sounds like a lovely idea and I'm sure they will love it.
You've had some fab suggestions.
You know their personalities so go with things that suit them. Arts and crafts, Xmas baking, books, games.

What stuff do you usually use in December? Do you have Christmas themed books or DVDs that come out, or mugs/plastic tumblers...etc? Or winter or Christmas themed hot water bottles, hats and gloves, ….sorts of things? That come out and get reused every year.

Are there particular decorations that tend to go in their rooms? Like a snowglobe or fabric wreath or dangling Santa hat or wooden tree type things?

Do you want them to send any letters or cards? Like letter to Santa or a card to Grandparents etc? So you could include a pen, stationary/pack of cards and stamps.

I don't do a box exactly, but I have a plastic tub of things that come out around 1st Dec, (bedding, fleece blanket, books, dvds, mugs and a glass and plastic plate, advent calendar, DD's favourite snowglobe for her room, Santa hats which may be needed for outings or school/club activities, any leftover festive themed tape from DD's previous purchases that she might use for her wrapping this year...). The rest of the Christmas decorations and a couple of bits of festive crockery only come out later in the month (from other plastic tubs!), so I find it easier to put things we might use early all together.

Good shout on the Christmas cups/plates. I will dig theirs out and add them. Got Christmas sticker books already so will add them too.
Can’t believe all the negative posts. It’s a bit of fun, and as 1st is a Sunday I thought it would be lovely to get us all in the Christmas mood, and hopefully distract the dc for a couple of hours.

I love advent more than the day itself. I'm not religious but I love the time of year, the build up etc. The DCs also love the anticipation. So while I would never buy special Christmas duvet/pyjamas etc, I think it's nice to make this time of year as cosy and lovely as possible!
On the first of Dec we get out some of the decorations - the nativity set DD has had since a baby, some naff Christmas bowls/DVDs/books etc which we've accumulated. They get a picture advent calendar and they have a string of 24 mini stockings which have a chocolate in and a note every day (if i'm organised!) - usually things we are doing anyway: 'go to the school carol concert' ' hot chocolate in a cafe and go Christmas shopping' 'make mince pies' 'go for a walk in the dark to see the lights' A couple of notes will say 'treasure hunt' - a few clues round the house for a new DVD/book/craft set/gingerbread house etc...
This probably sounds OTT to some people but....it works for us! Do what works for you - Elf on the Shelf sounds like too much work and too creepy for me, but I can see the fun in it!

I'm doing this. I'm getting her a box made that says Little Hedgehogblues advent box. She will have a sleep sack, a new outfit, a couple of books, a tree decoration, christmas music CD, a couple of christmas films, figures from the nativity set (that get put diferent places round the house everyday on their "journey" to Bethlehem) Then when she's older an advent calender and candle and some hot chocolate. I like the idea of a beginning of December box much better than a Christmas Eve box

My response wasn't intended to be miserable. Sorry if it came across that way. I guess we all have different ideas and it's fine to do what ever you choose to do. x

This Christmas is actually going to be really special for me as it's the first one my youngest understands.
My eldest son (now 20) had his childhood pass him by without him ever knowing who Santa was (he has the mind of a baby and never progressed beyond that). Even now it shatters my heart that he has no concept or understanding of the magic of it all.

So, yes, treasure every moment and do what ever feels right for you and your family. x

I think I'd opt for a dec 1st box over an xmas eve box, gets more use :D love the ideas you have so far.

Do u have xmas bedding? I'd pop that in for use throughout the month
Xmas dvd/ book
Hot choc with marshmallows
Gingerbread baking kit

Nothing wrong with doing both ideas (I see the misery gang are out in force today). However I would clearly define the difference between them. We only do a CE box but I've always liked the idea of pulling out a winter hamper on the first. Containing things like bedding, special plates and some seasonal activities, the advent calendars etc...

Oh FFS a cold breeze blew into this thread right from the start! Humbugs!
My DS is only a baby but I’ve bought a personalised 1st December box for him to start our traditions early. In future I plan to include things like a few special decorations for his room, craft bits for making Christmas cards for family etc, Christmas tumblers/plates/whatever’s, Christmas socks etc. This year he has a small pop up copy of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (£1 from the Range, I’m ruining him with my extravagance) and a lovely wooden “DS 1st Christmas” bauble.
I know it’s all rampantly materialist and just TOO MUCH But really, WTF use are these particular items if strictly given on Christmas Day?

I’m doing this for my son for the first time this year - he’s only 18 months so I’ve got a elf soft toy, a Christmas busy book, Christmas colouring book with stickers, crayons & pencils and craft supplies for the christmassy crafts we’ll be doing throughout December plus his advent calendar of course. Has cost me less than £10 to put together and is just a bit of fun! What you’ve got sounds good I’d maybe add some hot choc and a book or two.

1st December box for us contains the xmas pyjamas, slippers and a few novelty items. Nothing OTT. I agree with you that its better putting the pyjamas in the 1st dec box rather the xmas eve box as it does get more wear. By the 27th we're all back in day to day clothing and we've packed up most the christmas clothing.

I decided this year i was going to do my youngest nieces/nephews a First of December box but I have gone a "little" over the top and each will be receiving the following;

Christmas pyjamas each
Christmas socks 2pairs each
Slipper socks each
Elf tree decoration each
Christmas Glass each
Advent calendar each
Christmas wash mitt each
Snowman bath fizzers
Christmas pencils
Christmas erasers
Mini candy canes
Christmas chocolate lolly each
Christmas handwash each
Christmas hairbands (for nieces)
Santa hats (for nephews)
Christmas gloves each
Story book each
Personalised activity book each
Personalised crayons each
Christmas art stamps
Colouring/Sticker books each
Christmas LED YoYo each

I'm thinking of also buying them each a box of those make your own fairy cake things but I know I have gone overboard, I just can't help myself.

We do this, put xmas decs up and they get their box. We do xmas pjs, sweets, sachet of hot choc, advent calendar and either a book or colouring in stuff

Nice idea