Christmas Fun Day 24: Christmas Eve Box and Traditions

Hello and Happy Holiday season everyone! In addition to my Advent Reads event this holiday season, I thought I would post earlier in the day with different things we do each day to have fun and celebrate this season. I hope you will join us and also maybe share some of your own traditions or ways you celebrate.

 

 

Yay! It is Christmas Eve!! Munchkin is so excited (and so am I honestly). I wanted to share a few of our Christmas Eve traditions with all of you and hopefully hear a few of yours. 

 

Every year for Christmas Eve I used to go to the church service that had the children's play in it (a lot of adults like to go to the candle light service but I love when the children act out the nativity).  While I wish I could still do that, especially with Munchkin, we haven't been able to make it since he was an infant.  I usually work every year until 3 or 4 and then to get Munchkin, get him fed and to church in time to get a seat has proved to be too much.  Hubby always has to work on Christmas Eve so I am on my own trying to make it magical but still keep Munchkin in control and get everything set for hosting the next day (again because Hubby works at night he usually just gets up for Munchkin to open a few presents and then goes back to sleep until company arrives). Anyway, years ago I saw either on facebook or Pinterest a Christmas Eve box and I have done one for Munchkin every year.

 

By the time we get home from the day there is a box waiting for Munchkin, it contains new Christmas PJs, a Christmas movie, popcorn and goodies, hot chocolate, marshmallows and a new Christmas story to read at bedtime.

 

Again, like Friday Night Movie Nights we put on our PJs and eat a light snack dinner and watch our new movie. 

 

Then we put out cookies for Santa, they have to be homemade (this is the only batch of cookies I make) and Munchkin helps decorate them. We also leave a carrot for the reindeer and a note for Santa. We then cuddle up with a few Christmas books (including the new one) and read them by the tree and listen to Christmas music.

 

Then Munchkin goes to bed and my work really begins!

 

 

 

Another one of our traditions, one I am surprised more parents don't do but everyone I tell about it think it is brilliant. Munchkin has to clean his room before going to bed on Christmas Eve (if not I tell him Santa will think he has too many presents already). If he has a clean room, Santa will leave a present or two in his room for him. The gift is usually a book (like a search and find) and maybe a puzzle. This way I get him to clean his room and it also keeps him occupied in his room in the morning so I can get a few extra minutes of sleep before he gets into the presents in the living room.

 

Also we keep the gifts from Santa kind of light, he usually gets a big toy, a game to play with the family and the book and puzzle that were left in his room (and of course the stocking usually stuffed with undies and socks).

 

 

I am really looking forward to this year, Munchkin is really at that age where he understands and believes and it is all magic! 

 

How do you celebrate Christmas Eve?