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December 21, 2020

93 Comments

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

 

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • 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

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  • I get excited myself so no chance of keeping it from the kids. Let them have fun.

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  • 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!

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  • It sure will be a surprise to them waking up and hearing it’s Xmas !

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  • I can see where she coming from but these little memories add to Christmas moments too

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  • I think Christmas Eve is very special and knowing Santa is coming makes it that much more fun.

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  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • She mustn’t have had a very good childhood herself.

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  • 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.

    Reply

  • When did Christmas Eve boxes become a thing?

    Reply

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