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Old 07-12-2016, 22:05
Kat1966
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38220870

I'm interested to see what other people think about this idea.

Have to admit, I've never heard of it before and it does seem a good way to calm down kids, who by Christmas Eve are pretty overexcited! It also gives grown ups a chance to get on with last minute present wrapping, cooking etc.

In fact, I'd quite like the idea of a grown up version with a hot chocolate drink, new jammies and a decent dvd to watch when I've done the the last minute running around and present wrapping! Perhaps I should ask MrKat to make up a box for me this year!!
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Old 07-12-2016, 22:09
annette kurten
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i love them.

i used to make christmas eve special with new pyjamas etc and a present from under the tree, wrapping the whole thing up as a gift would have been sheer bloody genius and i wish i`d thought of it then.
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Old 07-12-2016, 22:13
muggins14
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I've done a Christmas Eve bag for the last few years for my daughter.

I put in a new pair of PJ's, a DVD, a mug, a sachet of nice hot chocolate with some small marshmallows and a new pair of slippers.

I've decided not to do it this year as she had so many new pairs of PJ's and slippers before she had her surgery, she doesn't need any more. I've explained to her and she's accepted the decision!
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Old 07-12-2016, 22:30
cah
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Whilst I never did a ''Christmas Eve'' Box ,I always used to make it special by giving my children New P.J's and Slippers on Christmas Eve ready for ''Santa'' coming ,a new video/dvd to watch and a few Christmassy sweets etc from when I had my eldest 34 years ago ....and they now do it with their children..

.I still give my Daughter ''Christmas Eve Pyjama's even though she's now a Mum herself,..It's just a tradition in our family ,from when My mum and Dad used to give us New PJ's for Christmas eve when we were kids
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Old 07-12-2016, 23:07
soap-lea
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38220870

I'm interested to see what other people think about this idea.

Have to admit, I've never heard of it before and it does seem a good way to calm down kids, who by Christmas Eve are pretty overexcited! It also gives grown ups a chance to get on with last minute present wrapping, cooking etc.

In fact, I'd quite like the idea of a grown up version with a hot chocolate drink, new jammies and a decent dvd to watch when I've done the the last minute running around and present wrapping! Perhaps I should ask MrKat to make up a box for me this year!!

I saw it last year and I had bought a pack of two xmas boxes from b&m. Only needed 1 so used the other to make myself a xmas eve box

Gonna do the same this year. No dvd tho I will just watch whatevers on tv but new pj's, snacks and poss alcohol will be included
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Old 07-12-2016, 23:14
WhatJoeThinks
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I've done a Christmas Eve bag for the last few years for my daughter.

I put in a new pair of PJ's, a DVD, a mug, a sachet of nice hot chocolate with some small marshmallows and a new pair of slippers.

I've decided not to do it this year as she had so many new pairs of PJ's and slippers before she had her surgery, she doesn't need any more. I've explained to her and she's accepted the decision!
...
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Old 07-12-2016, 23:22
Brandy211
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I don't do it myself, but have noticed this has become popular the last few years.

I have enough presents to buy without adding to them

Many years ago, I did allow the children to open one small present after returning from midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Where does it all end? I have even seen advent calendars for over £50! More than some people have to spend on their Christmas lunch.
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Old 07-12-2016, 23:48
Kat1966
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I've done a Christmas Eve bag for the last few years for my daughter.

I put in a new pair of PJ's, a DVD, a mug, a sachet of nice hot chocolate with some small marshmallows and a new pair of slippers.

I've decided not to do it this year as she had so many new pairs of PJ's and slippers before she had her surgery, she doesn't need any more. I've explained to her and she's accepted the decision!
That's lovely, I definitely like the idea of small marshmallows with the hot chocolate especially as due to my tablets I can't drink any more.

Hope all went well with your daughter's operation and you both have a good Christmas.
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Old 07-12-2016, 23:54
Kat1966
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i love them.

i used to make christmas eve special with new pyjamas etc and a present from under the tree, wrapping the whole thing up as a gift would have been sheer bloody genius and i wish i`d thought of it then.
It does seem like a good idea and one that could be personalised and needn't cost a great deal of money, especially if you are good at crafts. If I had kids, I'd certainly have a go.


I saw it last year and I had bought a pack of two xmas boxes from b&m. Only needed 1 so used the other to make myself a xmas eve box

Gonna do the same this year. No dvd tho I will just watch whatevers on tv but new pj's, snacks and poss alcohol will be included
Think I'm gonna do one for me and for MrKat when he comes home from work, I like the idea of jammies, downloading a box set from Sky, hot chocolate and snacks!
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Old 08-12-2016, 00:11
TheEricPollard
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When I was a kid we used to go to the seaside on Christmas Eve and find fossils. Am I weird?
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Old 08-12-2016, 01:49
rfonzo
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When I was a kid we used to go to the seaside on Christmas Eve and find fossils. Am I weird?
I think that is quite a novel idea. Quite unique and spiritual.
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Old 08-12-2016, 01:52
WhatJoeThinks
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I think that is quite a novel idea. Quite unique and spiritual.
Spiritual? I would think that looking for fossils on Christmas Eve was the antithesis of spiritual. It's basically inviting the children to think about the implications of scientific discoveries, rather than thinking about the baby Jesus, the son of God who created the world some 6000-odd years ago.
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Old 08-12-2016, 02:02
muggins14
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Haha! Yes, she was none too happy!

That's lovely, I definitely like the idea of small marshmallows with the hot chocolate especially as due to my tablets I can't drink any more.

Hope all went well with your daughter's operation and you both have a good Christmas.
Yes, she's slowly getting there Kat with regard to her back. Only problem is the bad rash she's developed over the last 5 weeks, hopefully nothing too serious!

You have a peaceful Christmas

I got the idea of a box from a blog somewhere out there in the ether(net ), a suggestion from a Mum as a way of distracting and relaxing the excited offspring before bedtime and including PJ's as a way of saying we are going to do something fun but bed comes after!

Reading the thread it does seem more adults like the idea though
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Old 08-12-2016, 03:37
koantemplation
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More pandering to the snowflake generation that can't wait a night for their pressies.

TBH though seeing as Christmas is an artificial human construct and seems to start in mid November now, it doesn't really matter what people do any more.

It is just a commercial 'holiday' for businesses to take advantage of.
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Old 08-12-2016, 03:42
TheEricPollard
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I think that is quite a novel idea. Quite unique and spiritual.
Spiritual? I would think that looking for fossils on Christmas Eve was the antithesis of spiritual. It's basically inviting the children to think about the implications of scientific discoveries, rather than thinking about the baby Jesus, the son of God who created the world some 6000-odd years ago.
I think a lot of people find the sea and nature in general to be spiritual, even if they're also doing something science-y like looking for fossils. I can't say I do, but I like how quiet and atmospheric a beach is in winter, and I guess I can see how another person would interpret it as spiritual.

Funnily enough the most common fossil I used to find were known as devil's toenails.
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Old 08-12-2016, 04:06
CappySpectrum
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More pandering to the snowflake generation that can't wait a night for their pressies.

TBH though seeing as Christmas is an artificial human construct and seems to start in mid November now, it doesn't really matter what people do any more.

It is just a commercial 'holiday' for businesses to take advantage of.
I remember I couldn't open presents until 10am Christmas Day and the family had to be up. I never had this stuff on Christmas Eve except going to see Santa and the sleigh of reindeers come down the town as everyone went to see it at night on Christmas Eve to create the magic. This must have been 8 - 10pm... I mean they really went legit fully kitted out in our town in the 80s with a giant looking authentic crazily detailed sleigh but with wheels since most times no snow and lots of reindeer. Nothing looked cheap about it including Santa/beard and the suit

In fact I also recall there were no presents under my tree until Christmas Day. When I ran down I wasn't allowed to open anything until everyone was up.

I swear it looked like the Santa Claus Movie from 1985. https://stv.tv/news/entertainment/13...-dies-aged-85/

I also remember a time when Christmas advertising didn't kick off until December 1st. Look at it now. Christmas advertising in July on shopping channels.
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Old 08-12-2016, 07:54
Plucky_Octopus
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Our house was the same, nothing opened until everyone was round or up on Christmas day.

In recent years though we have stated doing some presents on Christmas eve, because my husband is German and they celebrate it on the 24th. Since we've lived together we have a mini Christmas just us two, open the German presents after dinner so when we speak to his family we know what we're thanking them for. Everything else is Christmas day or when you see other relatives after.
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Old 08-12-2016, 08:38
Ian...B
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I don't do it myself, but have noticed this has become popular the last few years.

I have enough presents to buy without adding to them

Many years ago, I did allow the children to open one small present after returning from midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Where does it all end? I have even seen advent calendars for over £50! More than some people have to spend on their Christmas lunch.
How is that possible! Our Turkey alone cost more than that
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Old 08-12-2016, 08:39
Susie_Smith
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We have some traditions on Christmas Eve, like watching the Snowman before bed and maybe some new PJs if they need them anyway. We also have a nice meal in the evening and this year will be singing carols in candlelight at the church which should be a lovely Christmas Eve afternoon. We also read the night before Christmas for bedtime.

I don't like the idea of filling them with sweets and chocolate they don't need - anyway they will be getting plenty of treats on actual Christmas Day. IMO most Christmas films are tacky rubbish x
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Old 08-12-2016, 09:02
elliecat
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I actually have a box currently being made for me and my husband. I'm going to put in a couple of bottles of cider for him, a bottle of champagne for me, some crisps and maybe some sweets and then some Christmas socks. It's what we would have had anyway but it will be nice to have it in something.
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Old 08-12-2016, 09:13
Chihiro77
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More pandering to the snowflake generation that can't wait a night for their pressies.

TBH though seeing as Christmas is an artificial human construct and seems to start in mid November now, it doesn't really matter what people do any more.

It is just a commercial 'holiday' for businesses to take advantage of.
That's the spirit!
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Old 08-12-2016, 09:16
jonmorris
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Spiritual? I would think that looking for fossils on Christmas Eve was the antithesis of spiritual. It's basically inviting the children to think about the implications of scientific discoveries, rather than thinking about the baby Jesus, the son of God who created the world some 6000-odd years ago.
Jesus? God? It's Christmas. It's all about Santa!
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Old 08-12-2016, 12:09
Jambo_c
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I've never heard of this and find it a bit strange. I was excited enough just putting carrots out for the reindeers and a mince pie and some of my dad's best whisky for Santa. Then I'd go to bed and wake up all excited to open presents in the morning. No presents the night before ever.

I'll be doing the same with my little boy, although Santa will be getting something nicer than a mince pie and instead of whisky an expensive bottle of beer from Daddy's stash.
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Old 08-12-2016, 12:21
thefairydandy
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We always had the same Christmas videos and books read to us on Christmas Eve, then packed off to bed at 7 (when wrapping would happen if it hadn't already).

Then we'd be taken to Midnight Mass, after checking the stockings were empty, and lighting a candle for travellers in a window. Come back about half past midnight - stockings would have been filled in our absence (my best guess is duplicate stockings swapped very quickly as we went out to the car - we'd always be allowed to race in first). Open stockings first, then the presents under the tree. We'd be up until at least half one, and take our presents up to our rooms with us.

Then in the morning, we'd start immediately on playing with presents in our rooms, and the parents got a bonus lie in. Genius arrangement.
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Old 08-12-2016, 12:38
sodavlac
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How is that possible! Our Turkey alone cost more than that
Not me who made the original claim, but it's easy. Of course it depends on what you eat, the quality of the food you like, enjoy, are willing to eat etc. and how many you're cooking for.

Just been on a supermarket website where they have small frozen turkeys or crowns for under £10. Turkey breast joints seem to be around £5-£10, or if you really wanted you can get a small Bernard Matthews one for £2.50 (would serve 2 or 3 at a push as it weighs 1lb/450g).

There's fresh turkey drumsticks for less than £3 each. Each one supposedly yields 333g of meat/627 calories when roasted so one per person would be more than enough. Could maybe even stretch it as far as 1 for every 2 people.

Then there's no rule to say you have to have turkey anyway. You can get a small chicken for under £4 or medium for about a fiver. Gammon joints start under £4/kg, Beef at about £5/kg, and lamb breast joints for under £6/kg. 1 kg between 2 people would be loads and it would easily serve 2 adult portions and 1 or 2 smaller children's portions as well, perhaps even with enough for a sandwich or two left over.
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