need help with xmas eve hampers and stockings for toddlers

yippee_kye_yay

ooh forgot i will read the kids the night before christmas book in bed

jo-chris

my hamper is for the family

me, 2 & 3 year olds will have new pj's and slippers
stepson new slippers (he wont wear pj's) lol
oh new slippers
christmas movie for 2 little ones, fireman sam snowed in.
santa key
reindeer food and new torches
christmas plate and glass santas homemade cookies and milk
santa stop sign
door hangers
twas the night before christmas book
Bag of christmas sweets
new christmas snuggle blanket
santa clause the movie for stepson, me and oh for when lo's are in bed

Thats all iv got at the min...

sammy_kaye18

Our day usually starts about 6-7am with Benj - hes a very early riser unfortunately.

We usually do a small Xmas shop on Xmas Eve too early morning as its really peaceful etc but the last few years its been necessity because our tax credits come in that day!

So 5.30am - all awake (partner going to work)
6am - leave house
6.10am - dropped at Mr T - partner to work
6.15am - Mr T cafe for a hot chocolate and some biscuits
6.30 - 7.30am - shopping
8am - Home with shopping in.
8.05am - 8.15am - putting shopping away
8.30am - out to walk dog through the woods whilst its still frosty and festive feeling. Dog trundles through bushes and me and Ben try to spot icicles and frozen cobwebs.
Home for 9 - 9.15am with water switched on
9.30 - warmed up and sit and have breakfast (porridge usually)
10am - bath time and the hamper is put under the tree.
10.15 - out of bath to hamper being found
10.20 - 10.30 - looking at goodies in hamper
10.35 - dressed and mug of hot chocolate made
10.45 - first video/dvd on.cuddle under blanket Might be nightmare before Christmas (cant have Xmas without it)
12.00 - lunch
12.45 - over to shop to get last minute veg/milk/biscuits and Ben buys his special bits and some extra carrots.
1pm - home to drop off bits and collect dog
1.05 - 1.30 - home to some Christmas music and a tidy round front room and his bedroom ready for Santa's visit
2pm - home and Owen is usually in by then
2.15 - second Xmas DVD with daddy - the Grinch
5pm - dinner is done
5.30 - all sat down to watch TV - whilst Ben makes his SANTA STOP HERE SIGN
6.15 - cuddles with daddy under blanket to watch last Xmas film - Might be Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
7.15 - bath time.
7.25 - out of bath and PJs on.
7.30 - supper - hot chocolate and some biscuits or maybe more porridge.
7.45 - 8pm - Santa's key is hung on the Christmas tree, The reindeer food is scattered outside, Santa stop here sign stuck on front door, Santa's plate is made up ready for him and left on the stool near the door.
8 - 8.10 - last cuddles and kisses with daddy before bed.
8.15 - into bed and puts stocking at end of bed
8.20 - 8.30 - night before Christmas book

and then hopefully by 9pm he is sleeping and out for the count as I don't wrap any of his stuff until Xmas Eve! Its a busy day but lots of fun and we have a great time.

yippee_kye_yay

sammy that would be a good lie in in our house, my 2 get up at 5.30!

i love hearing how others spend their xmasses!

im getting so excited already! i think i might burst when december rolls around!

nikflo

i'm loving this idea and fully intend to do it for my 2 dd's, i was wondering if some one could put on here when they find nice xmas pj's for kids?? i normally get them from primark along with the xmas towels, but last year they either didn't do them or i missed them??

esmf73

What's this about hampers?? Have I been hard done by by my parents?? We've always had stockings - something I started last year for the children (5 and 3 now) and something I introduced my husband to. We don't open presents until after lunch so the stockings have to last until then. A neighbour of mine puts out Christmas books and DVDs for her kids at the beginning of December - which I've now started to do.

Last year we (the kids lost interest so quickly - so just me then!) made paper chains and salt dough decorations decorated with glue and glitter! I had a great time - not sure about them though!! Suggest that everyone looks out for Prima or Essentials Magazines as they normally do something about home made christmas and they start earlier too.

I've got a copy of 1975 Home and Freezer Digest - cooking for Christmas - which is sort of a family bible now - as long as I start a bit of cooking in October, I'm sorted through to New Year!!! I've started buying christmas decorations - 50p for LOADS of christmas baubles in Matalan and will make loads with the kids too. Great ideas on the internet.

Just a thought - when you use the dried oranges, use some cinnamon sticks too - tied up with orange or plain raffia. Lovely smell. Or you can make a pomander out of an orange and some cloves.

Here's for a cheap and cheerful christmas xx

lunar

bluestarrz wrote: »

I love the idea of a hamper but think instead of doing a new hamper every year and buying different treats, that I'll maybe make a box. I'll spend loads of time and effort decorating it and it can be brought out every year. I was thinking of including a Christmas blanket - every year this can be used on Christmas eve to snuggle up to movies, Christmas cookie recipe - we'll make these every year for santa, recipe for reindeer food, pad and paper to write note for santa, special Christmas mugs (for snowman soup) and Christmas plates to put cookies on and nibble while we watch the films..
I'm looking for new traditions to start with just the three of us and this seems perfect. Plus, can add maybe a little crafty set or something each year and the traditions can grow!

I love this idea, I think I am going to make a christmas eve box for DS this year that can be brought out every year. He will be 14 months this christmas. I will get a nice christmas blanket that I can put in it every year.

I think I will combine this idea with a letter from the elves. His box will be full of items needed to complete jobs from santa's elves such as making christmas cookies, raindeer food etc. I love the idea of starting his box as a christmas tradition.

Anyone got any ideas of what to do for the box? It will need to last for a long time! I know he cant really do the jobs this year so I need to think of what to put in for a 14 month old. One thing I know I want to get is the early learning center christmas happy land set as soon as it is available.

Melon78

I'm planning on fleece blankets, new Pjs and a book for my 3 for christmas eve (plus a gorgeous little crochet bunny for my daughter).

Have already got my daughters stocking bits (she'll be 20 months by Christmas):
Peppa pig beanie
Little push up wooden doll
Small wooden pull along elephant
Schleich animal
Small tub of playdoh
Mini aquadraw mats
Mickey mouse pairs game
Set of bells
wind up bath duck

Will also get her a book and some chocolates to go in there.

cathys1_2

loving this thread - cannot wait for Christmas.:xmassmile

I think you've all inspired me to do a family Christmas Eve Hamper - start a new tradition - I too like the idea of decorating a box to use over and over.

For those of you looking for elves - last year I got a tatty teddy one from Clintons - it's quite small but the ideal size (sits on top of a tv / picture etc. My little girl keeps asking if snow toes is coming back this year?!

cyclingyorkie

snow toes - how sweet!!!!!!!!