Have just seen a lovely idea on another thread for Christmas eve hampers for the dc.

[comewhinewithme]

Link here I think it is a really good idea especially when things are getting a bit manic overexciting on Christmas eve.

McDie79 - how wonderful and magical does your xmas eve sound? Steam trains and hot chocolate, wow its sounds like a fairytale book - lucky you!!

I love the hamper idea, my DS is 3 but not really getting santa and christmas yet so may hold for a while, but very nice.

Oops - got all excited and posted twice!

my sons are now 18 and 16 time passes so quickly i would say to all you parents with young children make it as magical as possible go glittertastic drink ho ho ho hot chocolate till its coming out yer ears give it all y ouve got your childen will always remember.. our xmas:S are still scrummy i love christmas eve the best but its hard forcing an 18 year old into new pjs lol

Nice post, boodeniites, will do as you suggest

Ooohhh - i want to live in the village with the steam train, hot chocolate and carol singers - where is it??

I want those ducks!!!!! I'm not doing a hamper... most of your suggestions go in my kids sacks' anyways.

like this thread, great idea's on here!

anyone give me ideas for a christmassy dvd for 2 boys oldest nearly 12? nothing babyish, they'd moan!!

We do Christmas Eve pyjamas too

It is lovely, all wrapped up on pillows at bedtime

And then they look GREAT in Christmas Morning photos and not in their normal gray rags

We do Xmas PJs and a Christmas film on Christmas Eve, but sod more presents! they get way too much on Xmas Day as it is.

WE do pyjamas and reindeer food. We always deliberately 'forget' carrots for Rudolf and walkto the shops to buy more (with a few hidden in the fridge just in case).

Santa always does a'walk by' on X,as Eve too and leaves a book

Elf is quite good for older boys.

Elf is quite good for older boys.

Elf is quite good for older boys.

Elf is quite good for older boys.

Elf is quite good for older boys.

Elf is quite good for older boys.

Elf is quite good for older boys.

I often buy a xmas dvd in the weeks leading up too

we also have a big 'lets get the xmas boks and dvds out fo the loft' session mid December

Does anyone know whether "Elf" is any good for older boys?

I have heard it is quite good.

I think it sounds like a lovely idea, dd always gets new pyjamas and a book Christmas Eve.

I like the idea of the Xmas hamper, it does not have to be so expensive, just the normal presents spread over two days.

We always celebrate on Xmas Eve as DH is German and they traditionally celebrate on 24th. I find that the DC have more time to look at their presents properly when they get them in two sittings.

Our tradition so far:

Breakfast

Take the kids sledging in the Alps (with breaks for hot choc and waffles)

Maybe a sleigh ride if we go to Gstaad (still working on DH on that one)

Home for Bratwurst and Kartoffelpuree
DC go outside to play football with Papa
while I the Christkind leaves presents

DC rush into living room, pressies in front of tree, open fire, marshmallows and hot choc

We normally give them the presents from their German relatives on Xmas Eve, rest on Xmas Day.

Will do the new pjs at this point, never heard of that before

Bedtime for DC and WineTime for MmeLindt.

I can't wait.

McDie79 Where do you live , the magic Kingdom? that sounds lovely!!

CWWM I think it was the words christmas hamper makes it sound like your spending loads but in realiyt its filled with stuff that the majourity of us seem to do on Christmas eve

Butterball my mum still buys my xmas jammies and a new packet of M&S midi briefs every year without fail