Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

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

Original poster

What would you put in a box of Christmas Cheer?

137 replies

DifficultBloodyWoman · 24/11/2023 13:08

I have a relative who is a bit of a Grinch. Despite having children, in previous years, she either hasn’t bothered to put up a tree or does it on Christmas Eve. There are no special traditions or special food etc. The day is spent mostly on iPads and in bed. The kids split Christmas between her and their Dad.

I want to send a box of Christmas goodies to get them in the spirit of Christmas. The kids are 7, 10, and 13.

So far:
santa hats
a tree to stick on the wall
crackers
a book of Christmas themed stories
Christmassy chocolate and sweets

What would you suggest? (The box has to be posted and I want everything to arrive at the same time so I’m not going to order things to be delivered directly to them).

OP posts:
AndromacheAstyanax · 26/11/2023 06:56

OP, you’ve put together a lovely parcel and I hope the kids enjoy it. The only thing I was going to add that Christmas lasts 12 days (in fact we even keep our crib up till 2 February) so if a tree goes up on Christmas Eve, that’s not too late. Again I hope they have a lovely time and it sounds as though they’ll all appreciate your thoughtful parcel.

stayathomer · 26/11/2023 06:58

I got a little gift box the other day that plays Christmas music when you open it! Was just a little cardboard gift box so was thrilled and there were two Christmas ornaments inside it. Also I always give kids/teens a dandy or beano annual and a slinky!!

stayathomer · 26/11/2023 06:59

Ps well done op and hope that lady has a nicer Christmas than usual, sounds hard for her

Desecratedcoconut · 26/11/2023 07:10

What a lovely box, op. And I love the Elf-style box decoration, it's so cool and I am definitely nicking the idea 😁

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 26/11/2023 07:47

Not everyone who disagrees with you is a troll, and just because you’re related to a person and know them well doesn’t mean you can’t be cruel, hurtful and passive aggressive towards them. In fact, it’s often family who are the worst for this. I don’t think you are sending this gift for the right reasons and I don’t think you have the right to dictate how someone celebrates Christmas. It’s weird and controlling and who are you to say that she can’t have her own version of Christmas with her own children without you sticking your nose in trying to make her feel inferior? This is the very opposite of Christmas cheer. It’s more like a kick in the teeth for someone who is already feeling down.

Desecratedcoconut · 26/11/2023 07:56

I can't believe how many posters would have these kids do without so that the DM could more comfortably live in her joyless pit of apathy.

Mumoffourkiddos · 26/11/2023 07:59

There's a game called outsmarted which can be played in multiple houses , could you not send Xmas jumper advent calender the game and treats and wear the jumper and have treats at yours and play the game ...
Asda have 3 for 2 and have some funny games like santa hat ring toss and pigs in blanket racing cars and christmas bingo

cassy16 · 26/11/2023 08:02

i think its lovley what your doing for a really selfish person she has the rescources but wont pull it together for her kids! i hope their dad gives them a better time, i spent a christmas with severe depression which resulted in having to be in a hospital for some time, but i have four kids and scraped every ounce of energy too not take away from their experiance

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/11/2023 08:19

So, she finds Christmas difficult since splitting with her ex she doesn't do your version of a Hallmark Christmas, and you're planning to send her an unsolicited parcel full of things to highlight what you consider to be her shortcomings?

I reckon that there is a very high chance that this will backfire.

Kezzy16 · 26/11/2023 08:42

I think it’s a great idea, might even put a smile on your sisters face, but the kids faces will deffo light up. What about some fairy lights that they could put up in their bedrooms (don’t have to be expensive can get some really cheap ones). The tree tortillas you can get from Sainsburys. Also what about a stocking maybe with their initial on. Second hobby craft can get lovely on offer craft christmasy things. Good luck :)

hattie43 · 26/11/2023 08:52

Desecratedcoconut · 26/11/2023 07:56

I can't believe how many posters would have these kids do without so that the DM could more comfortably live in her joyless pit of apathy.

Absolutely this. What a miserable woman to not rise about whatever her emotions are and make an effort for her kids who are now old enough to know they're being short changed as soon as they get back to school and hear what lovely Christmas's their friends had .

Doone22 · 26/11/2023 08:56

Sounds fab. Pack the parcel with strict instructions....
They must open it all together
They have to open parcel 1 first (Xmas cd) and play it before proceeding, etc
Maybe add a message to their mum just saying you want them all to have a amazing Christmas you never know she might get into it too
If she feels she can't compete with ex can you both come up with some traditions you can start that are hers alone? Make snowglobes every year or something.

I always did a walk with my little lad round the town in dark looking at everyone's Christmas lights while singing carols (not for money or really loud)

Justkeepsmilingx · 26/11/2023 09:00

You are really kind.
great ideas already…. Just wanted to say The Works has really cheap crafty bits and Poundland. Maybe get paper chains they can make and hang ?

ProvisionsOnTheDock · 26/11/2023 09:05

If my sister was struggling at Christmas, I cannot imagine prioritising buying and sending a big box o' crap over actually going to visit and spend time with her and her children. Some people's priorities are really quite strange.

Velvian · 26/11/2023 09:10

Have yiu included advent calendar, hot chocolate and a jumper for your sister too, @DifficultBloodyWoman ? That way it will feel more like kindness than criticism and may spur her into getting the Christmas spirit.

notahappybunny7 · 26/11/2023 09:13

SwordToFlamethrower · 26/11/2023 00:42

Christmas isn't bloody obligatory! No one should be forced into celebrating a fake, capitalist, Christian holiday.

It is extremely inappropriate to send Christmas stuff to a family that don't celebrate it.

Why is fake?? Why the negativity about Christian’s, how dare you!!! Idiot

notahappybunny7 · 26/11/2023 09:15

Pandajane · 26/11/2023 03:11

FFS! I just read all of your comments @DifficultBloodyWoman and frankly, this is where the saying "you can't choose your family" comes from. You are clearly doing this as a way to show off how much better you are than your relative no doubt to your family and, as demonstrated here, anyone else you can inform about your 'good deed'. I don't know where this perceived (by you) competition came from but you're not fooling anyone with your proclamations of how superior your Christmas spirit is compared to your relative. You know, your relative who has gone through the breakdown of her marriage and everything that entails, the one you're childishly name calling and denigrating? You're not doing this for her or her children, you're doing it to prove how much better you are than her. I suspect you have even thought (or possibly said) that you'd 'be a better mum to those kids'. I notice that you made sure to point out how much money you are spending ( yes, the humble brag about how the main presents being more than £100 was obvious). I'll say it again, mind your own business - it shouldn't be hard since self seeking clearly comes easily to you.

Who the fuck are you?!?!

Kellioo · 26/11/2023 09:20

I have a similar situation and I'm sure the dc will love it and remember it forever. Sometimes it's needed to step in for them.

If not too late include a mini pamper pack for your dsis, sounds like she struggles and might need some care (face mask, bath bomb, chocolate).

Estelle74uk · 26/11/2023 09:24

Lovely idea OP

Alot of miserable people on here today already! It's only half 9!

Original poster
DifficultBloodyWoman · 26/11/2023 09:31

Velvian · 26/11/2023 09:10

Have yiu included advent calendar, hot chocolate and a jumper for your sister too, @DifficultBloodyWoman ? That way it will feel more like kindness than criticism and may spur her into getting the Christmas spirit.

Yes to the advent calendar and hot chocolate, but no to the jumper.

If I sent a Christmas jumper for her, she would think I had lost the plot. It would be a bit too much ‘spirit’ for her. 😂

OP posts:
Cat1313 · 26/11/2023 09:38

What a horrible thing to do.

Desecratedcoconut · 26/11/2023 09:39

The jumpers will be great for the kids because they will be able to participate on the school's Christmas jumper day.

Stressedoutmammy · 26/11/2023 09:41

Will their mum have bought advent calendars? If not that would be a definite and I would get some make your own decoration craft sets, that way they can have some fun making them before putting them up. Christmas themed board/card games - I picked up Christmas themed dobble which is easy for them to play with or without the mum, maybe Christmas cushion covers? Cheap, easy to post and provided they have some cushions in the house they can swap over they can Christmasify their bedrooms a bit (my kids love Christmas bedding). This is a sad post, I can see how some people find Christmas too hard but IMO you have to do it for the kids. Good luck, hope it’s successful! Also, could you send them a daily text of the elf in your house??

diddl · 26/11/2023 09:45

Could you sort out a fake tree so that the kids could put that up themselves?