Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

moments_of_sanity

CountingPennies wrote: »

I'm 31 and i love my stocking

My eldest is 13 and she loves her and the christmas eve hamper! Lol!

I have never heard of Christmas Eve hampers, what do you put in them?

double_mummy

okay i am back on the band wagon i picked up a set of candles for MIL look like yankees smell pretty dam good (dark cherry hubby keeps trying to eat them)so i got one large jar 6 shot glasses some tea lights and 3 small tower candles all came to about £8 in £stretcher they were the last so were marked down im going to soak off the labels and get the kids to make some for them what can i add to this to make a rounded hamper (ideally no more than a tenner) no chocs or food plz

got LO some manchester united pjs to annoy his godfather with (arsenal supporter) £1.99 in the £stretcher sale bit

attempting to finish by the 2nd week of september except for fresh veg for dinners around xmas am already stocking the freezer so i wont actually have to go shopping at all in decemeber except for veg and milk i dont think i need to buy cereal for about 6 months lol

my making stuff is on hold for the moment everything has got a lil crazy they may end up with their pressies under a large red felt rectangle lol

CountingPennies

moments_of_sanity wrote: »

I have never heard of Christmas Eve hampers, what do you put in them?

My parents did them for me and now i do them for my kids. Basically, christmas eve is always hectic for me and this entertains the kids whilst i get on with the preparations ect.

My baskets basically include pjs (coz i was told you had to wear clean pj's for santa, lol), toothbrush, christmas dvd, sweets/popcorn and some sort of christmas activity pack or cinema ticket (dependent on how much time i have free).

They get them on Chirstmas Eve morning with a little note of santa explaining that altho he knows they are very excited, he needs them to be VERY good for him to come that night. They is a list of what they have to do. Go along the lines of:

Get dressed/washed
Make bed
Tidy room
Play for a little bit
Have lunch
Do activity, or go to cinema (whichever is in basket)
Have light tea
Bath
New pj's on
Cuddle up on sofa with family under blanket and watch DVD whilst eating sweets/popcorn
Brush teeth
Early night, no arguments

It all sounds a little daft i know, but it works and keeps my kids focused all day. The one year i didn't get round to it because i had been in hospital it was awful. They were too hyper and had nothing to calm their minds! :rotfl: And altho my eldest is 13, she still loves her and plays along to keep it magical for the other 2.

Ohh... i also include a little packet reindeer food (basically a packet of oats with glitter in) and they have to sprinkle it in the garden for the reindeers so they know where to go :rotfl:

Its not for everyone, but we love it.

amber03

Leading upto xmas used to buy extra supplies of tea, coffee, sugar and tinned stuff. These where made into hampers for our parents. They loved them cos they knew they would have plenty of food over xmas and more to the point, didn't have to go to the shops over xmas. Everything was used and things came in handy if they had unexpected guests. Much better than buying them jumpers or cardies.x

bossymoo

I had a 24 studio book / mag arrive today, so set DS looking through it - I was working from home, and he was supposed to be on a trip but poorly - yet still managing to get under my feet! i told him we need to write to santa and ask nicely if he would like anything. So he had a pencil and scribbled next to nearly every boy toy in there lol.

I have his little sister sorted but I had no idea what to do for him. I have lots of ideas now, haha.

whitesatin

My nephew - in his twenties - now has a present put away. From Argos, half price, car emergency kit with triangle etc. £10.99. No torch included though so will be on the look out for any car torch bargains in the next few months.

Might get my sister in law's partner a gift pack of world beers as he has everything else. Any bargains spotted would be welcome, thanks. I am assuming it will keep till Christmas (will have to hide it from my OH though).

carlamarie_2

I also do Christmas Eve hampers for my lot. A lot of people put in toys and activities to keep them mused during the day. But mine are really 'get ready for bed' hampers.
I have the following in,
New pjs and slippers
Character bubble bath/ shower gel
New toothbrushes
Snowman soup
Xmas themed mugs
Some sweets or choc of some kind
Magic reindeer food
Torches
Cup and plate for Santa
A note for Santa explaining where hes hidden the magic key;)
Santa stop here sign
Xmas themed book
And I also put in one bigger item thats focused on bed/baths. In the past that has been character pillows, character towels, character fleeces. This year it is cushioned pyjama cases (have an hello kitty and a spongebib from boots sale, just ned one for the youngest)

Our xmas eve goes as follows.
DVDs in morning, christmas ones of course followed by a huge bust which I make for both lunch and dinner (usually finished off on xmas night)
Then cookies/ buns are made. Visits from both sets of grandparents who sample the buffet and baking.
At about4pm we always go to our local green grocers to get our veg. Dh always 'forgets' his wallet so he has to run back home (and pop the hampers on their beds ssshhhhh!!!)
When we get back the kids find them.
Jump in the bath with using their new bath and tooth products.
Into their new pjs and slippers
Then downstairs for snowman soup in their new cups with their chocs.
Then into the garden to plant the Santa stop here signs and scatter the magic reindeer dust using the torches to see it all glittering.
Then back In to find the magic key which Santa always hides on the xmas tree and hang that on the front door.
Then daddy will read the new book while i get the veg ready for the next day

And finally into their beds which their cushioned pj covers ..... And sleep!

It's so magical and they love it! As do i!

carlamarie_2

Meant to say the kids think the hampers are delivered by the elves to get them to sleep early so Santa can come

whitesatin

I did Christmas Eve hampers for my grandsons last year as they were away from home, at their grandad's. This year they will be away from home again (other grandad, my ex) but I don't think I will do them this time round as they will be in France. Well, I might, but it won't be Christmas Eve hampers, as such, it will be the night before my turn to host Christmas at my house, usually after Christmas some time. Quite nice actually, it extends the season and I get just as much enjoyment as I would on Christmas itself. Bought them little tartan pjs from Jo Jo Maman Bebe last year, they looked so cute. Will probably do the same but in a different coloured tartan.

winniepooh

can I join this thread please