.Christmas eve boxes? Really ?

Children’s pyjamas and hot chocolate being described as
consumerism 'à outrance'.
? Now that is unnecessary.

We have always bought new pjs, wrapped them up then someone would post them through the letter box and put from Father Christmas.

Christmas eve boxes hadn't been invented when my children were little but, as other posters have said, they always had new pjs and a video/DVD for us all to sit and watch.
My grandchildren do have a box. It contains pjs, a bath bomb, some chocolate coins and reindeer food. It's a wooden box so the same one is used every year.
I think it's a lovely new tradition and I certainly would have done.it

We do new pyjamas and hot chocolate and biscuits to watch a film with

Kali2

More consumerism, more that will end up in landfill... why?

Its pyjamas and hot chocolate mainly, how will that end up in landfill? Hot chocolate is drunk, pyjamas are recyclable.

New pyjamas, slippers, dressing gowns used to be what you received as (in my childhood and my own children’s) a big proportion of your Christmas presents, to be opened on surprise, surprise, Christmas Day.

Is that still the case, or are these Christmas Eve boxes all extras to the big day?

I suspect the latter.

Bah humbug!

?

I havent heard of Christmas Eve boxes but my daughters always had new slippers and a Disney dvd the night before Christmas.

you obviously do not have teenage grandchildren.
And what powers of detection have brought you to this conclusion? You have no idea how many grandchildren I have, how old they are and what gender they are. Should I choose to give them gifts of pyjamas, new cds and a lump of chocolate on a stick to stir into hot milk, I will do so; my carbon footprint is definitely smaller than some people's. I hold no passport and so take no flights anywhere, ave never been on a cruise, I have no Jacuzzi or outdoor patio heaters and I drive an electric car. When you do the same, come back and preach to me about my carbon footprint.

kali2 my GC are from 23 months to twenty years.

The tradition started in our family by our Danish DiL, a little something from her country of birth.

Fare trade chocolate (oat/almond milk if you are anti the dairy trade)

Ethically produced pj’s

Books and/or film

Sustainable wood for the box

The above bring joy to many children. The little ones have suffered over the last 21 months, do you really begrudge the children Kali2 ?

Doesn't anyone have hot chocolate in their cupboard to make hot chocolate? As for Christmas PJs- you obviously do not have teenage grandchildren.

Much worse things at sea - I agree. It is just that on another thread we are talking about the State of the Planet - and that we should do everything to reduce our carbon footprint. So adding yet another 'tradition' that doesnt' even exist- just doesn't seem the best way to go about it. I think our GCs would much prefer we spent more time and energy doing things they might help.

Yes, we should ...

get a grip.

Well said Chewbacca just a pleasant way of spending Christmas Eve with clothing which will be worn for months.

Well perhaps pyjamas might be worn- but this is the case with the vast majority of Christmas jumpers - so probably a significant of Christmas PJs- as many won't want them. And ll the packaging, etc.

Give over kali2! Pyjamas would be bought in the correct size for the child so why on earth wouldn't they wear them! Do they come in much packaging? A thin cardboard sleeve is about as much I've seen.

What sort of hot chocolate would be given as a present though? erm... the sort that melts in hot milk, makes kids tummies full and makes them sleep soundly? Gordon Bennett kali2 of all the things to get your knickers in a twist about, kids pjs and a mug of hot chocolate on Christmas Eve is about the daftest! Get a grip!

GG13 - good for you, Sadly not the case for most.

Well perhaps pyjamas might be worn- but this is the case with the vast majority of Christmas jumpers - so probably a significant of Christmas PJs- as many won't want them. And ll the packaging, etc.

What sort of hot chocolate would be given as a present though?

Yes, European countries celebrate on 24th- and presents are opened around the tree after late lunch- not in the morning. Both are fine- really don't see the need for presents on 24th AND 25th - consumerism 'à outrance'.

Kali2

Weren't you just talking about reducing carbon footprint.

Lovely memories are not about more and more presents, packaging, etc ... If it is, then I think it is very sad.

Kali2 most children I know have new pj’s for Christmas, a DVD or even a Sky rental film, some chocolate to make hot chocolate all put in a reusable wooden monogrammed box which in our family have been used every year.

Not a large carbon footprint involved…

Why will pyjamas and hot chocolate end up in land fill kali2? Won't the pyjamas get worn and the hot chocolate drunk?

Weren't you just talking about reducing carbon footprint.

Lovely memories are not about more and more presents, packaging, etc ... If it is, then I think it is very sad.

I think it’s a lovely idea, new pj’s, hot chocolate and a Christmas film. Making magical memories.

More consumerism, more that will end up in landfill... why?

HowVeryDareYou

Is it an American idea? We don't do it, anyway. Most children these days have such a lot of treats, all year round, without even more on Christmas Eve.

What does it matter where the idea came from?

I also don't think it's a problem if parents or grandparents want to do this. We didn't do this for our son and won't be doing it for our granddaughter though.
It isn't an American thing that l know of and I'm married to one. I can't say for certain though as my husband came from an extremely poor background and was lucky to have something to eat on Christmas day.

That sounds lovely, polyester. We have our Christmas family traditions too.
As for Christmas Eve boxes, why not? Pyjamas and hot chocolate are hardly the work of the devil.

Many cultures have the Christmas Eve tradition, including mine. The children are not cranky nor do they refuse to eat Dickens. We sit down to dinner at around 6 pm or even earlier, the tradition is to fast or at least not eat v. much during the day, so when evening comes, everyone is hungry. Dinner consists of soup, then deep fried fish and a potato salad. After dinner, someone takes the children outside to look out for Baby Jesus bringing the presents, but alas, they always just miss him, because suddenly a bell rings, so they rush back in and a pile of presents seems to have materialized under the tree. It´s every bit as magical as finding your presents in the morning.

Is it an American idea? We don't do it, anyway. Most children these days have such a lot of treats, all year round, without even more on Christmas Eve.