Mum Decides NOT to Tell Her Kids it's Christmas Eve

Explaining her decision on online parenting forum Mumsnet, the mum says she won’t be telling her young children it’s Christmas Eve to prevent them getting too excited and being unable to sleep.

“I have this idea, that for this year we won’t tell DC’s [Dear Children] it’s Christmas Eve,” the mum of two writes.

“We don’t do Christmas Eve boxes and they are usually disinterested in their advent calendars by mid-December so don’t really countdown as such.”

She says her children are aged five and six and she’s thinking of keeping the news it is Christmas Eve from them so they get a good night’s sleep. She then plans to wake them up early the next day and announce it is Christmas Day.

“I’m thinking that waking them up early and telling them it’s Christmas morning will be a far bigger and exciting surprise,” she explains.

“Would I be unreasonable or mean for doing this,” she asks.

“I think it’s the only year we’d get away with it. We don’t have any plans for Christmas Eve except a fairly quiet day with just us at home. Friends I’ve briefly discussed this with seem a bit off with it.”

Most parents on the forum disagreed with her decision

“I wouldn’t,” said one . “The build-up is so exciting for children, don’t take that away from them.”

“Waiting for Santa is half the fun,” says another. “I think it seems a bit mean.”

“Don’t you put out milk and biscuits for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer, or track Santa online, watch a Christmas movie or read the night before Christmas,” says one mum.

“It’s not something I would miss out on but if you don’t do anything at all then why not?”

“You can’t do that,” says another. “When I was a kid I was so excited for Christmas Eve. Trying to stay awake to see Santa, the excitement of the next day, don’t take that away from them just so they get a good night sleep.”

“Kids aren’t kids for long, let them enjoy the build-up and don’t suck the fun out of it.”

How could it even be possible?

Our question is how could you even do it?

One – it really is all part of the build up and excitement of Christmas.

But two – you would literally need to stay home for at least 2 or 3 days before hand to avoid all the excitement. PLUS turn your TV and radio off, as it is constantly splashed around media and in the shops for the lead up to Christmas day.

Could you do this to your children?

Share your comments below

93 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 21 Dec 2022
    8:46 am
Its her household so over to her but I always loved it that the kids were up early and all excited. Its one day in the year….just delight in it because soon enough you wont have children around on Christmas morning at all.

- - tonkalass said
  - 28 Apr 2021
    10:39 am
NO! The excitement and build up to Christmas is often more exciting than the day itself. We used to leave a drink and Tim Tams for Santa. Carrots and a bucket of water for the reindeer. Kids do not stay little forever, as I am finding out. I miss this so much.

- - Lovesthecuddles said
  - 11 Jan 2021
    2:26 pm
I think kids at this age wouldn’t notice although I do find the hype and lead up as well as the overwhelming excitement on the day does lead to tantrums and craziness

- - Kimeeja said
  - 05 Jan 2021
    10:50 am
I couldn’t do it my kids………..we’re all so excited for Christmas and I love the preparation for the arrival of Santa, Reindeer & Elves. That’s always the last thing in our advent calendar “Make treats for Santa, Reindeer & Elves” and we bake together – something different each year and the kids love finding ideas on what treats we can make.

- - CassLee83 said
  - 02 Jan 2021
    3:08 am
If that’s what she wanted to do then that’s up to her at the end of the day. I see both sides of what she is saying and others have posted but at the end of the day it’s that mums decision

- - mom111059 said
  - 01 Jan 2021
    12:03 pm
I get excited myself so no chance of keeping it from the kids. Let them have fun.

- - mom67934 said
  - 01 Jan 2021
    6:11 am
I’m sort of on both sides of this one! My kids are the same not interested in their advent calendars I end up eating all the chocolates, but they do love counting down the days! In one mind I was thinking reading this this would make Christmas Day more exciting, but then again it does seem kinda mean because going to sleep and waiting to hear sleigh bells on Christmas Eve is one of my fave Christmas memories as a kid!

- - Ellen said
  - 29 Dec 2020
    10:13 am
It sure will be a surprise to them waking up and hearing it’s Xmas !

- - snazzy007 said
  - 28 Dec 2020
    5:19 pm
I can see where she coming from but these little memories add to Christmas moments too

- - mom62624 said
  - 27 Dec 2020
    2:46 pm
I think Christmas Eve is very special and knowing Santa is coming makes it that much more fun.

- - Sotomumof3 said
  - 27 Dec 2020
    8:10 am
No way! Kids want to go to bed because they know Santa is coming. He won’t come if they are not asleep. We have elf who we say goodbye too, we know he has to go and help Santa get ready. We don’t do Xmas Eve boxes, and agree about the Calendars my kids lost interest too! It’s Xmas Eve…… it’s magical

- - Kasey said
  - 27 Dec 2020
    12:08 am
How sad…..I’ve never done this with any of my five children and they tend to go to sleep fine on Christmas Eve knowing that Santa will be coming and if they get up and disturb him he may get a fright and not leave any gifts. My kids love knowing that Christmas is coming.

- - mom101628 said
  - 26 Dec 2020
    11:46 pm
She mustn’t have had a very good childhood herself.

- - tessie said
  - 25 Dec 2020
    9:51 am
I’ve never hidden the fact that it’s Christmas Eve and it’s not possible where we live. Santa comes around on his decorated float escorted by 2 police cars with lights flashing and sirens with his elves throwing lollies and his special HoHoHo call to everyone 2 days before Christmas. On Christmas eve the local fire engine drives around flashing lights and playing Christmas Carols and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

- - Blessed said
  - 25 Dec 2020
    6:29 am
When did Christmas Eve boxes become a thing?

- - mom466923 said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    11:56 am
I’m sorry but she is stupid. The whole point is for the kids not to be able to sleep and be excited. She took it from them.

- - Forgetful Mumma said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    11:51 am
I asked my husband if it would be funny or cruel to only put 2 gifts under the tree and hide the rest. He just gave me a look. Imagine how much more exciting it will be when they wake in the morning and see gifts under the tree when they weren’t expecting it!

- - shanika said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    11:11 am
This is just once a year. Let kids to be excited.

- - mom343701 said
  - 23 Dec 2020
    5:56 am
I suppose each to his own, I love the exitemement

- - rovermum said
  - 22 Dec 2020
    11:21 am
NO! The magic of Christmas lasts only so many years. We’re out of it now and I miss it so much. It starts before Christmas and the build-up is just as important. And, my Dad passed away Christmas Eve so it has added weight, occasion and activity for us.