Christmas Eve Boxes

We never had these CE boxes as children and as we were under financial constraints then I think my poor mother would have blown a gasket if they'd been expected.

Yet more commercialism. Is waiting so difficult?

My friend buys them for her grandkids and the price of the stuff put in them is more than I would of got on Xmas Day. Totally ridiculous if you ask me. My new PJs were part of my presents Santa brought. All I got Xmas Eve was shouted at for not getting to bed early enough!

Have heard of it vaguely but don't know anything of the reasoning behind it. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Silly idea. Perhaps next year someone will start a "Day before Christmas Eve" box!

When my children were young at the start of December we would decorate a box and make it our post box, in that my children would put drawings for each other or for their dad and I and then I would put a couple of small toys in and some new pyjamas,it was opened around 6pm and they would be able to play with the toy then get ready for bed with their new pyjamas on. It helped them cope better with Christmas Eve and the excitement that comes with it. Now they are adults but still insist the box is there with little things for each other but there is no way that I would buy one of those expensive Christmas Eve boxes

We do this and it’s joyful and adds to the lovely family feeling of Xmas. We also do stockings with lots of small bits and the children love them and so do we. Sad for those who don’t see the joy and for those who cannot afford to join in

I think times change and family traditions develop. I’m sure my grandparents were delighted to get anythingat Christmas, my mum remembered having nuts and fruit in a stocking, my children had Christmas pjs and were allowed to open something of the Christmas food on Christmas Eve - followed by stockings from Santa and presents under the tree and my grandchildren have the elf on the shelf and Christmas Eve boxes of simple bits. None of them spend lots of money on these things but the children love them and they’re making happy memories. That’s what’s it’s all about. Not how much you spend.

Missfoodlove I agree with everything you said! I think my DIL gets them all a pair of Christmassy pjs to wear on Christmas Eve, I get a pic of the whole family on Christmas Day wearing them. That’s quite sweet, I don’t mind that.

Yep, been around for at least the last 5 years!
I heard of them from a Facebook group that I used to belong to (until I got banned for criticising the admins that were being paid by certain businesses to push products) that was supposedly set up to help people to save money and know where to find bargains.
It turned into a competition between some members to see who could spend the most on the items that they put in the box!
I thought that the whole thing with Christmas was the anticipation of Christmas day - most I ever got was sent to bed before my dad went to the pub with one of my uncles and then mum went to midnight mass!
My son just had a reading of "the Night before Christmas" or a video to watch on Christmas Eve.

I started doing them last year. My adult kids and two grandchildren love them. I fill them with special chocolates, Christmas candle, slipper socks and bottle of wine for the adults, for the GC, age 15 and 12 I do new onesies, slipper socks, a card or trivia game, the chocolates they like and a hot chocolate bomb and stirring spoon, plus a new jumper for Christmas morning. I give them all money for Christmas as I haven’t a clue what they need, want or like.

You are my soulmate!

I used to love watching Blue Peter as they lit a candle each week on their "thing" that was made out of clothes hangers and tinsel.
Oh! The excitement when the last one was lit!!!

I have got a Christmas Eve box this year simply because when I do my four hour drive to see my grandsons I can give it them on my arrival!
It’s got Christmas pencils in it. Santa lollies. A Christmas book each and daft stocking filler type things .
Their big present goes under the tree ?

Pure commercialism and not to be encouraged. Let the kids open 1 present on christmas eve and wait for the rest

Advent calendars
This morning on Monday was flogging advent calendars all expensive with various gifts in
Like barbie Thomas tank jewellery and usual choc
No one mentioned the true meaning of an advent calendar and there were none with the nativity on which is what advent and Christmas is all about
I love Christmas but it has gone commercially made no one respects the true meaning any more
When we were young advent calendar was just little windows to open every day and it was exciting

I e never heard of them.
However this year for my son and his wife I have made up Advent Boxes for 1st December with some home stuff and food stuff so the kids can enjoy December and not just Christmas Day. It’s been such a horrid year. It gives me pleasure to do it and the kids will love it.

Another money making "tradition" introduces a few years ago. As if Christmas isn't commercialised enough it's now taking place on Christmas Eve. Wonder if the folk in the Netherlands who do the gift exchange on the 24th will be opening these type of boxes on the 23rd. Madness and folk with more money than sense being pulled into it.

As her parents work on Christmas Eve, I look after my GD during the day. Last year I put together a Christmas Eve box (had great fun thinking of things to put in); Christmas colouring sheets, crayons, reindeer food, a small decoration for the tree, Christmas choc lollipop, pyjamas, Christmas storybook and some sprinkles for us to use on our baking that day etc. We spent a lovely day getting excited and it’s a tradition we’ll be continuing.

These C Eve boxes are another fad from USA. my children didnt have anything given on C Eve, they left a mince pie for Santa but that was about it, they were always excited and ready for bed at a reasonable time. They are all grown and have adult children of their own now. My Granddaughter always puts up the tree and decorations before December which I say is much too early, I think half the fun is expectation, I tell her if you put them up too early then by Christmas it's old hat and not exciting anymore, but it's her house and she does as she wants. I personally think mid dec is soon enough. Now I live on my own I dont bother at all, just put the cards on the door.

I’m with Missfoodlove too. It’s another moneymaker. Some things need anticipation and imagination to bring the best thrills and satisfaction.

What does it matter what other people do? If they want to give the kids a few gifts on Christmas eve, then so what? My husband's children, now grown up with children of their own, have a 'Christmas fairy' that comes on Christmas eve, leaving a trail of glitter and a few gifts for the little ones. They are following on a tradition from their own parents. Every family is different.

I think it sounds like another excuse to spend more money. I like opening one present as a better idea.

Another American idea!
Totally ruins the excitement of Christmas morning. We already have the elves hiding round the house although they do occupy the GC for hours if I hide them properly.

That should be missfoodlove.

My GDs like them, and if they were with us on Christmas Eve then I might give them. But I wouldn't buy the expensive boxes in the shops, I'd make them. A simple shoebox or parcel box covered in pretty paper or painted with some treats inside and perhaps new slippers or socks. It's all about building up the excitement to Christmas Day. But since our GC don't visit over Christmas I won't have to worry about it.