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Christmas

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Original poster

Christmas Eve Box

38 replies

ChristmasTraditions · 17/12/2023 16:48

I've only just come across these Christmas Eve boxes in the shops, is this a new thing? I'm not English but I've lived here a few decades now and didn't know that it was a thing...

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FionnulaTheCooler · 17/12/2023 16:49

Its a relatively recent thing, I've never bothered with it personally but some people put stuff like new PJs, bath bomb, hot chocolate in it to be used on Christmas eve.

Flubadubba · 17/12/2023 16:50

Relatively new thing. It's only in the past year or so that I have ever seen them...

Cotswoldbee · 17/12/2023 16:51

It is new.
We used to receive a single gift on Christmas Eve (1970's) but there was no box.

AnnaMagnani · 17/12/2023 16:52

Shops would like you to believe it is a thing so they can sell you the box and stuff to put in it.

Nobody was doing this before Instagram.

StrawberryWater · 17/12/2023 16:52

We've done them for a few years. It's mainly a box of activities for ds to do on Christmas eve while I'm busy doing last minute baking and prep in the kitchen.

We don't do stockings though. I really don't see the need for both.

LBFseBrom · 17/12/2023 17:09

I've only heard of it on Mumsnet and know nobody who 'does it'.

BitchImTheSecretIngredient · 17/12/2023 17:10

Mumsnetters when they read about Christmas Eve boxes

Christmas Eve Box
Original poster
ChristmasTraditions · 17/12/2023 17:32

Brilliant 🤣

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Bethebest · 17/12/2023 17:33

We do them - new pyjamas, a Jellycat, letter from Santa, tree decoration with name on it and a cookie as well as the stuff to make reindeer food. It’s nice.

Original poster
ChristmasTraditions · 17/12/2023 17:44

I must admit I like the idea of them, but the thought of even more things to buy is a bit daunting.

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DyslexicPoster · 17/12/2023 17:46

I used to give out wrapped pjs on Christmas eve. Then I put them in the box with a nice chocolate.
Saves some wrapping. But I like the crafts idea up thread

SgtJuneAckland · 17/12/2023 17:55

DS has hot chocolate, a new pair of pyjamas (not Christmas ones), the same mug, the same copy of the night before Christmas and a bath bomb. We come back after carol service on Christmas eve and he opens it. It's exactly the same as our routine in the eighties but in a box. Come back from carols, have a hot chocolate, watch something, then it was a video now usually the snowman or a Julia Donaldson short on demand, bath (we used to get matey he gets a lush bath bomb), pyjamas on , leave out carrot and mince pie, night before Christmas as bed time story, lights out. Children are excited on Christmas eve and we find the familiarity of routine helps calm things down.

They've definitely been a thing for a while as he's had one since he was born and he's five now.

Edited to clarify I'm not on Instagram

housethatbuiltme · 17/12/2023 17:56

'Boxes' are technically new but thats splitting hairs, the tradition is close to 100 years old most commonly in the uk things use to just be laid at the foot of the bed.

Getting books and PJs on christmas eve has been around generations, it tracable to WW2 due to rationing (paper was not rationed so books where easy to get) and my mam had it in the 60s, I did in the 80s, my kids did in the 00s and now... not new.

I didn't really have stocking growing up (we did but for decoration not gifts from santa or anything), we also didn't wrap presents everything was laid out on the sofa... despite this I don't think they are 'new fads' just because we didn't do them, they are just different traditions some families did.

XiCi · 17/12/2023 18:00

No it's not new. Dd is 13 now and has had a box every year. Just new pj's, hot chocolate and mini marshmallows, santa mug (same one every year), candy canes and a small cuddly toy.

housethatbuiltme · 17/12/2023 18:00

AnnaMagnani · 17/12/2023 16:52

Shops would like you to believe it is a thing so they can sell you the box and stuff to put in it.

Nobody was doing this before Instagram.

I'm pretty sure Instagram wasn't around in the 60s when my parent where little, or the 80s when I was little, I don't even thing is was around in 2008 when DS was born... I guarantee you we have been doing it for DECADES.

My mam kept all her Xmas eve books and gave them to me when I was a child, lots of vintage Bunty annuals.

XiCi · 17/12/2023 18:01

Oh yes and a bath bomb

TheIsleOfTheLost · 17/12/2023 20:57

I like the idea. I always get the kids pj's and books anyway, so it would just be bringing it forward 12 hours and adding a hot chocolate. The only reason I don't is that one of the kids has a birthday near Christmas and is soooooo overexcited, so adding an additional present point would probably tip over into meltdown. MNy countries celebrate more on Christmas eve anyway.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 17/12/2023 22:04

I've been doing it quite a few years but not to the commercial extent. It always happened that dd needed new pjs around Xmas so I filled a cheap but nice box from card factory with those, Xmas activity, Netflix 'voucher', Xmas book, cuddly toy and a snack plus her (reused) stocking which 'elfie' brought to her to hang for Santa. It's a tradition for us

Original poster
ChristmasTraditions · 17/12/2023 23:12

I think I'm converted. I'm off to get a box! 🎄🎅🏼🎄

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SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 17/12/2023 23:17

We use the same boxes every year.
always pjs, a christmas mug, a christmas tree ornament, a hot chocolaté sachet, book, chocolate. Then other bits and pieces.

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 17/12/2023 23:18

Also forgot to add i always put their sacks and stockings in them as well for the children to put out.

Original poster
ChristmasTraditions · 17/12/2023 23:53

I really like the idea of putting the Christmas stocking in there - so that it'll be a yearly tradition to get it from this box and then DC can hang it up 🧦. Makes the whole stocking thing a bit more special 💫

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thaegumathteth · 17/12/2023 23:56

Relatively new - I've done it for 10+ years

IsitReallySoooBad · 18/12/2023 00:12

We do both, shock horror!

Christmas box 1st Dec with pjs, Christmas jumper, hot choc, small packet of sweets/chocolate coins, santa key, & sometimes the night before Christmas book. The pjs and jumpers are a size bigger so they last 2 years, they wear them all winter and then get donated after that. The boxes are reused every year, and the same book and key come out each year then disappear. We say Santa's magical elves bring the box, and then the box, key & book go back to the North Pole after Christmas for next year.
We do stockings too, but they're only filled with smaller items & sweets etc that would be on the floor anyway, so it isn't exactly extra.
My children won't be little for long so I'm intent on making it as special as possible for them.
I didn't have the box or stocking etc as a child and yes I still had a good time. However I would have absolutely loved them if I had have had them!!
My grandparents only got an orange or an apple for Christmas in their stockings (socks) , I'm sure they thought the Christmases of the 80s and 90s were excessive!

flowerchild2000 · 18/12/2023 00:26

I've heard it's an American social media borne thing, which I fully believe, but I'm American and don't do social media and have only heard of them via MN. I don't take part in any of the new gimmicks, they are designed for photo ops and spending money! There's so many nice winter celebratory things to do without trying to keep up with the Joneses.