I think that the presents should be opened on xmas day but I believe maybe somewhere in Europe, it's xmas eve. Too much emphasis on a king xmas 'so wonderful 'for the children! We lose sight of the real meaning. The build up to santa with all the lies and deceit is laughable at times! I sometimes wonder how our children could trust us again after telling them so many whoppers!
Santa has always managed to tiptoe into bedrooms to deliver new pj's on Christmas Eve but no-one ever opens stocking and presents until Christmas morning. I think the box could turn out to be the thin edge of the wedge!
I've decided to do a Christmas eve box for the first time this year, having heard them discussed a lot recently. It will include new pyjamas, a DVD and hot chocolate. I think this will help settle the DGDs for the evening and they would probably otherwise have one early present.
Our boxes , just for the little ones consist of new pjs, a copy of The night before Christmas ( read together) stocking, raindeer food and a special mug rug to put Santas drink and mince pie. All except the pjs and raindeer food are the same ones each year. All in a home made or decorated box. It's a lovely little tradition that we all look forward to each year.
Up to this year I always bought new pyjamas for all the GC , given on Christmas Eve ,one of my DDs is doing it for me this year , the wee ones and not so wee ones love to send Pics of themselves wearing the PJs as they open the stockings on Christmas morning . It was thought quite subversive when I first did it !! PS. I join in with the family gifts for everyone and wanted the GC something just from me and the PJs seemed helpful as well as seasonal
I thought the Elf on the Shelf was there to keep an eye on them to make sure they were good! DD managed to convince DGSs that the "blinking " red light in the corner of the room was Santa watching them!
I thought the Christmas eve box was new pyjamas, a Christmas dvd and a stocking to hang up. The grandchildren have always had new pj's for Christmas eve and we usually spend the evening cuddled up with hot chocolate and a Christmas film before setting out the baileys and mince pie for Santa and of course the carrot for the reindeer. The only new thing is the reindeer food sold at the school fair, a mixture of oats and glitter which we have to scatter on the front path so they can find us lol.
Oh yes, the elf, that parents have to think up pranks for it to do every night, something funny, wacky etc when they are tired out, and every night in Advent. Still, parents should not give in to this either, unless the idea really appeals to them.
And now there's also the ubiquitous Elf on the Shelf! You can now wrack your brains for things for it to do for 3 weeks on top of everything else you're trying to do. Oh and remember to buy it a glittery bed and rocking chair!
Kids are excited enough as it is on xmas morning why would they get them more excited by giving a xmas eve present!? I do however think its a good idea to spread the xmas presents over xmas day for the younger kids.
Our children had to wait until Christmas morning, that was the deal! Parents shouldn't give in to ANY pressure about Christmas, and that includes queuing round the block to get a certain present.
Stop the world I want to get of! Now parents are being encouraged to give their little ones/proberly big ones as well. Christmas Eve Boxes!!!!! Fill them up and it settles them down for the BIG NIGHT.
I must admit we used to give ours one small gift, and I mean small,,, Not a BOX filled with stuff, More pressure for parents, more spoilt kids, more debt for the new year, ask kids in January. , what did you get? Can't remember. Rant over.