Why latest festive trend ‘Christmas Eve boxes’ is taking the holiday season too far

First came the Elf on the Shelf, then the gifting advent calendar. Now there’s a brand new Christmas trend set to break the festive bank.

Christmas, you’re doing too much.

Somehow the most wonderful time of the year has turned into not just the longest but the most over-the-top time of the year.

I actually don’t mind the early arrival of Christmas decorations in the shops — I’m a firm believer in the joy of anticipation – although our house rule is to wait until December 1.

And when I was a child of Australians living in America, I always wished my parents would get a little bit more into the spirit of things. Every year we were the only dark house on the block because my dad insisted someone would steal our lights.

I finally convinced him to buy one measly string, enough to decorate one branch of one tree and, you guessed it, it was stolen.

So now with a house and children of my own, I love going full Griswold. We’re almost at the stage where we need to post a health warning about the danger of flashing lights, such is our commitment.

And when I was introduced to the idea of the magical Elf on the Shelf, the little Christmas buddy who delights in household mischief during the lead-up to December 25, I was a huge fan.

The Elf on the Shelf

But then my children started insisting we begin an advent calendar tradition, so I brought out the one from my childhood, where you open a cardboard window and see a pretty picture of a Christmas tree.

That was not acceptable.

Nope, they wanted calendars that contained not just an image, not even a chocolate treat, but a little pre-Christmas treat.

Forget it. Sorry to be a Scrooge, but that’s too much time and money.

I’m more than willing to take the kids shopping to fill a shoebox for a Christmas charity, but they receive plenty already without adding ever more layers of gifts and treats.

As for my effort level, I have never even subscribed to sending Christmas cards. I knew I would never be able to keep up that tradition so I decided to start as I meant to go on – and simply not start.

However, I have created one Christmas tradition that costs little in terms of effort or dollars.

Every year we force the family to take a Christmas photo together at a local shopping centre – not just the children but the parents too. We then frame them and hang on our wall of shame – from our first Christmas as a family of four in 2009 to present day.

Gold Coast Bulletin columnist Ann Wason Moore has a tradition of family Christmas photos, including this one from back in the day.

Walk down the line of 15 photos and it’s like a festive archaeological dig – witness the evolution of the children’s glow-ups, juxtaposed beside the gradual decay of my husband and I.

But the latest Christmas trend has stopped me dead in my festive tracks.

I saw it mentioned on a well-meaning list posted on social media, reminding parents of all the expectations they don’t have to live up to, such as: “The size of your present pile isn’t a reflection of you as a parent, whatsoever!”

Or: “Your kids will grow up and only remember the love and laughs at Christmas! Not what they got!“

Both are beautiful sentiments that I fully support.

But then there was this:

“You don’t need a Christmas Eve box to have a magical Christmas Eve.”

Huh? What the heck is a Christmas Eve box?

The Big W website is selling Christmas Eve boxes, the latest festive trend for 2024

A quick internet search uncovered that these boxes are sold at every Target, Kmart and Big W and that it “is a special box that is filled with little presents and treats and is given on Christmas Eve … designed to help kids and adults cope with the excitement of the night before Christmas”.

Give me a break. So we’re doing two Christmases now?

Where will it end?

Last year the average Australian spent almost $1500 on the festive season, including gifts, travel, food and drink, and no doubt the only way is up for 2024.

Now families are expected to spend even more for their picture-perfect matching Christmas pyjamas, their Insta-worthy festive decorations and a Christmas Eve box?

Sorry Santa, it’s time to say no, no, no.

Originally published as Why latest festive trend ‘Christmas Eve boxes’ is taking the holiday season too far