Christmas Eve Boxes

A glass of milk for Father Christmas?? I'd worry that he'd be so hacked off, he wouldn't leave any presents. He needs a good nip of somethjng to keep out the cold. It's a long night's work for someone who's getting on a bit.

We and dds had no elves or Christmas Eve boxes, but were always hyper-excited anyway. As a kid I was excited on the 23rd, because it was Christmas Eve Eve!

Having said that, I don't see any harm in new pyjamas, if they could do with them, and maybe a DVD.

If you find the Elf on the Shelf too expensive, you can always apply for a National Elf. Unfortunately, due to recent cuts, the Elf supply has been severely reduced and you might not get one, thus finding yourself unElfy.

My boys, now in their 30's always had new pjs on Christmas eve which were "hidden" in their bedrooms. e.g. under the mattress, bottom of the bed etc. and were excited to go to bed! That meant on Christmas morning they were photo ready when opening presents ! Our first grandson is having a Christmas eve box. New pj's, book, a first Christmas tree decoration etc. As long as it doesn't get out of control I think it's a lovely idea.

Also last year the DGDs had an Advent Fairy. She asked them to do helpful /kind deeds each week (not daily! ) such as "find 5 toys u don't play with to give to the food bank" etc.

My DDs do a 'box' but it is just new PJs, a DVD and popcorn for a snuggly Xmas Eve!

And you don't have to think of things for them to do if you have the magic of Google...

I like the naughty elves My DGS have them (okay, I confess, I bought them last year - it was another GNer who mentioned them!) and they get up to all sorts of things - pinching the cereal, pulling down the tree tinsel, fishing in the wash basin. They were only a couple of quid each - I wouldn't be spending silly money on the "official" ones. The DC seem to enjoy them more than the boys!

Never heard of these boxes or the elf but I do admire these parents who do so much for their small children. Or is it just another thing to put on Facebook?

For myself and my siblings as children, the JOY of Xmas eve was the waiting.
The anticipation was so exciting !!!!
It was probably the only time that our Parents ever had to ask us to go to bed.
We could not WAIT to get to bed because we all knew that the morning would bring that familiar rustle of presents at the bottom of our beds.
I would not have changed that for the world.

So when does Father Christmas arrive? Does he come twice?

I'm delighted to say I haven't come across that one yet. Sounds like just another commercial trick to get us to spend more money.

The new B&M advert says "Our children didn't know what to get their friends for Christmas so we took them to B&M". It then shows the happy mummy and kids pushing a trolly full of toys. Get real. Children don't need to buy their friends presents. Another ploy to get us spending more.

We always had a pillowcase with small presents first thing but had to wait til after lunch for the main ones. The wait seemed interminable, so much so that our children always had their presents in the morning

We used to save a biggish present, for example a board game, for after lunch to provide a new focus for over excited children who needed to be distracted whie we were winding down for the Queen's speech.

We never gave them presents beforehand though. What would be the purpose of that?

Ginny42, the New Years Eve tradition here is similar to your one, small gifts including for adults.
I was quite surprised when SO turned up the first year we knew each other with a really nice cardigan/jacket for me.

It's more a getting-excited-children-to-calm-down and go-to -sleep box. A DVD, new pjs and a drink isn't spoiling them is it?

I think its a load of rubbish, presents to prepare them for what, presents??? never done the elf thing either lol, have you seen how expensive they are!
On Christmas Eve we always went to the pub so the older kids could have a snowball, and the younger ones a coke, and then back home for an early bedtime so I could wrap everything, let alone have to pay out even more for extras! lol.

Good Lord, now Christmas Eve pressies! Ive just been to a school assembly about Scrooge and can identify with him pre-good!! bah humbug.....

My grandchildren have an elf on a shelf who disappears on Christmas Eve. He leaves them a box with new pyjamas to wear on Christmas Eve. A DVD to watch and a few chocolates!! Plus a note to say go to sleep!! They love it!! No presents of course.

DiL has always done this, PJs dvd & nibbles. I used to give mine a bathbomb from Lush for their evening bath ( I bought the ones intended to help you sleep).

I've been listening to Radio Scotland this morning. They've picked up the 4 gift rule that's been on the media for the past couple of days. I think it's a great principle to follow - much to the disgust of my childminded children!
Christmas is just so much pressure!
I like to have fun but a couple of years ago we started cutting back a bit and now some of the adults make gifts for each other. Last year my daughter-in-law made beautiful framed pictures for each family with the names of the family members picked out in Scrabble letters a bit like a crossword. It was great

I didn't know about the boxes, but I think they're a great idea. I had bought the DVD of The BFG, his mother has bought him new PJs and I bought a recordable version of The night before Christmas, so my grandson can go on listening to me reading it when they've gone home. I just need a box now.

Speaking of family Christmas customs, when I was a child we had Fairy Goody Two shoes, who came on New Years Eve and left small gifts in our shoes left behind the front door. Gifts included things for school, like new pencils, colours, a rubber, etc a tangerine and some chocolate. I always assumed it was a common practice, but few people I speak to have heard of it. Anyone have this as a child?

LumpyspacePrincess - I've got Polar Express and one about a dog (can't remember its name), so they have one each. They're only £3 each so pretty cheap.

I must have been living in a parallel universe

A ritual of leaving out a drink and a mince pie for Santa, a carrot for Rudolph, a milky drink and a story - and always a new dress or outfit for Christmas Day.

He looks like Flat Stanley dressed up for Christmas - he likes globe-trotting too

I've always given my children a SMALL present on Christmas Eve, it calmed them down before the BIG day! I don't think they do the same with the grandchildren.