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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Have you got any Christmas Eve Traditions?

23 replies

LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2007 21:29

Mine are to have the bedding washed and me to have a nice bath so I can be clean and get into a clean bed.......last year dp ruined this by coming home at 11pm with a curry and spilling it on the bed

This year i'm determined to have it all done in the morning so I can spend the afternoon snuggled up with my kids watching dvds and also not to allow dp into the bedroom with take away food and if i can add a glass of wine or two that will be nice!

OP posts:

pinkbubble · 20/12/2007 21:33

In the afternoon we always bake biscuits for Santa. Then at 4pm we go to the local Church for the Christingle. When we get back all 3 DDs have a bath and they put on their new pyjamas!

eidsvold · 20/12/2007 21:35

go to my aunts for christmas dinner - dds get totally spoilt and run around the garden until at least midnight, drink eat fab food. read night before christmas.

Nemostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 20/12/2007 21:36

couple we have are new pjs bath etc, also have making biscuits for santa and watching a christmas film in the afternoon.

This year we are adding to the traddition with a trip to the park in the morning and making a gingerbread house.

Oh and of course the traddition of putting toys together last minute!!!

MaureenMLovesmincepies · 20/12/2007 21:37

We always bake something too and then get together with Kbear and the kids do some Christmas makes.

I also like to get the bedding done LMG!

WulfricTheRedNosedReindeer · 20/12/2007 21:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

foofi · 20/12/2007 21:39

Christmas Eve is normally spent doing last minute shopping and always involves a lot of shouting.

wheelybahhumbug · 20/12/2007 21:40

new pyjamas for dd
bedding must be clean
am going to do a gingerbread house this year with dd - will see how it goes before deciding if we'll do it again !
champagne (start as you mean to go on)
midnight mass

discoverlife · 20/12/2007 21:40

Someone suggested somewhere, that they go to the picture so I am going to try it this year.

I found some gingerbread kits at Aldi if anyone wants to get one.

RIELOVESBACARDI · 20/12/2007 21:40

i work till 6 then run about like a tit

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 20/12/2007 21:47

I might try and buy a gingerbread house, meant to get one and forgot about it but think dd's would enjoy doing that!

OP posts:

mrspnut · 20/12/2007 21:50

We lounge around usually watching films and the adults get a bit tipsy. The kids then go to bed and the adults drink even more.

Dinner on christmas eve is always a take away, and I usually do all my last minute cooking and prep during the afternoon with the radio on and some alcohol to hand

Krimble · 20/12/2007 22:57

MIl got the gingerbread house from Lidls a few years ago and it was a pan didn't have much luck putting it together, but shes not very handy at these things.

Christmas eve we go to the family service at MIL's church (my yearly visit). Home for drinks and nibbles, Santa brings PJs for the kids. Kids get ready for santa by sprinkling reindeer food and laying out the landing strip lights in the back garden. (outdoor fairy lights).

madamez · 20/12/2007 22:59

Well I always go to my parents for Xmas day - the year DS was born we were living with them anyway (they have a bigger house than me and DS). But when I was younger and childfree, my own xmas eve tradition was, for a few years anyway, to do the morning at work, go to pub for a couple, and always come home for a lunch of beans on toast and a can of beer.

Alambil · 20/12/2007 23:16

I am starting a new tradition this year.

I have got DS some new pyjamas (£3 in primark so not breaking th bank!) and a new DVD to watch that evening.

We will then read "The Night Before Christmas" before he goes to bed and that will be our new tradition - new pyjamas, film and this story... year in, year out.

Lovely

Alambil · 20/12/2007 23:17

Oh, I forgot - we will attend the Christingle / Crib service at church and possibly also the evening carols (but that isn't at midnight)

Twinklemegan · 20/12/2007 23:32

I love the idea of new pyjamas. Might do that one.

ChristmasSendsMePsycho · 20/12/2007 23:43

I book the kiddies santa visit for xmas ve

we wake up....have a yummy 'healthy' breakfast (to be all prepared for the choc-fest that is xmas day brekkie) and then head out for any last minue shopping.

santa is normally booked for lunchtime, and then after we go to where the kiddies choice is for lunch. last year it was macdonalds, no idea yet for this year, but it has to be their choice!

after lunch we go feed the ducks, so as to make sure they get food for xmas , and then have a walk.

we go home for tea, and this year we are having DH family round.

after tea we do the usual santa routine of letter, mince pie, carrot, water, chocolate milk and also a thankyou to santa for all the ifts they hope he leaves them.

after that they have their first pressies from me and daddy. all get a new pair of P.J's, bed socks and a fleece blanket so as to encourage them into bed quicker

they will also have clean bedding to, as I find we all sleep better!!

they all then pile into one room upstairs to watch a dvd for a while, and then when asleep or nearly there daddy moves them.

'santa' then comes and leaves lots of goodies and me and DH go to bed, where we give each other our gifts in private so as to be able to enjoy our own gifts, and also be able to concentrate on the kiddies in the morning!!!

SnowMuchToBits · 20/12/2007 23:48

We always listen to the carols on the radio in the afternoon, accompanied by nince pie-making. In the morning we try to get out somewhere to let off steam, get ds tired out in the vain hope that he will sleep that night!

dinny · 20/12/2007 23:51

can I ask why the new pyjamas in particular on Xmas Eve? sounds nice, but why?

Krimble · 21/12/2007 00:02

I got the idea from here, Santa brings them as a special delivery while we are at the Church. Helps them to get ready for bed quicker.

ChristmasSendsMePsycho · 21/12/2007 00:06

re new PJ's for xmas eve.....

1, encourage them to get ready for bed

2, so they look nice and clean and lovely and scrubbed for the xmas morning pictures

eidsvold · 21/12/2007 01:14

we have new summer pjs but as we are out til all hours christmas eve - they get theirs for christmas day ready to crash in after a full on christmas day.

Pebblemum · 21/12/2007 01:23

I usually spend Christmas Eve dashing around like a loon doing last minute shopping (things you think you have to have otherwise Christmas will be a disaster only to find you never use it), tidying the house, getting clothes ready for the next day, trying to entertain 2 very excited ds's by letting them decorate dh when he falls asleep in the front room (obviously the stress of watching me do it all wears him out ) explaining to dh an hour later why he resembles either an elf or a christmas tree depending on what the ds's choose, bathing the kids, reading to them, trying to stay awake long enough for Santa to deliver the presents, going to bed with my mind working overtime-did I buy enough food, did i forget to buy a present for someone, what time will the kids get up, you name it I think it, then by the time i do drift off im lucky to get 2hrs sleep before the kids wake up.

This year Im starting a new tradition, any shopping I have not bought by the 23rd I dont need, the shops are only closed for 2days whatever it is that we are missing we can do without. Christmas Eve will be spent doing fun things with the children and from 5.30pm all children will be bathed, ready for bed and we will cuddle up with a bowl of popcorn and watch a dvd. At 8pm I will read them a story and then it will be lights out. Dh can pour the wine while I have a nice relaxing bath, Santa will come and I will go to bed nice and relaxed, get at least 5hrs sleep and wake feeling happy and stress free Well that is what im hoping for anyway!!

I agree with everyone about having clean sheets on the bed and new pjs on Christmas Eve, it makes going to bed so much nicer for everyone.

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