I think I actually prefer Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. I love the excitement of the day, getting prepared for the big day, doing some final bits of wrapping or food prep and then settling down for the evening. We dim the lights, we always watch The Snowman and Father Christmas, we pop on new PJs, track Santa with NORAD and then make sure we’re in bed before he comes.
Patterned pyjamas
It’s always been a tradition for my family to have new pyjamas on Christmas Eve, ever since I was a child in the 80s. So, you can imagine how happy I am now that the rest of the world has caught on and it’s now a ‘thing’ to have new PJs for Christmas.
It’s actually the only time of year that I add to my pyjama collection, so I usually choose a set that will work all year round. BUT this year, I’m being a little more extravagant and have chosen some Christmas-themed pyjamas for us.
And I know it’s cringe but, for the first time ever, we’ve got matching PJs. The thing is, I touched a super-soft pair of festive pyjamas in a high street shop and, even though I walked away at the time, they stayed in my mind. When I saw that they were reduced in the Black Friday sale, I couldn’t resist any longer.
They’re also a style that I wouldn’t normally choose; a classic shirt and bottoms with a tartan print and teeny tiny Christmas trees. As far as festive sleepwear goes, they’re quite a subtle nod to the season so I reckon I’ll probably wear them for many of the colder months anyway.
Slippers for all seasons
It’s also the only time of the year that I get new slippers, and only if I need them. I’ve had the same pair for about 3 years now and they’ve been washed countless times and have survived well but have finally given up.
I’m excited that this year is the year I get to have some new slippers on Christmas Eve to accompany my new PJs. I believe it’s always a good idea to invest in slippers because we always wear them whenever we’re inside the house, so they need to be supportive enough to keep your feet healthy and comfortable.
So, I always choose ones with proper soles. A grippy sole that can be used indoors and outdoors is the most important detail of any pair of slippers I buy. This year, I decided to check out Simba’s Slipper offering because they have the decent soles I need and they have reflexology-inspired cushioned footbeds for relaxation and comfort.
Looking at the range, some of the designs could even double up as outdoor shoes with their leather uppers, buckle details and moccasin styling. I chose a pair of these for my husband and selected the felt clog-style slippers for myself. I haven’t allowed myself to use them yet – they are back in their box and will be saved for Christmas Eve. I’m excited to unwrap them and start wearing them!
Putting out treats for Santa
If you’ve got a young family (or if you’re big kids like us) you might be putting out a plate of treats for Father Christmas before you go to bed. But what should be on Santa’s tray? A sweet treat? Carrots for the reindeer? Some children even like to put out a bowl of water for the reindeer to drink.
But the main debate is whether it’s milk and cookies or a mince pie and a little tipple. Personally, we go for the second option but you don’t have to splash out on a whole bottle of whisky, sherry or port if you’re only serving up a little splash for Santa.
That’s why I’ve got one of Drinks by the Dram’s tasting gift sets ready for Christmas Eve. It’s not just for Father Christmas; it makes a lovely present for my husband too. You can get the tasting sets in all kinds of themes, such as Japanese whiskies, premium rums or even a ‘Santa’s Gin List’ collection. 😉
Cosy bedtime
And finally, what’s the most essential thing on Christmas Eve? A good night’s sleep. After all, Santa Claus won’t come if you’re awake, right? I take this very literally and I make sure I’m always asleep by midnight on Christmas Eve.
We enjoy tracking Santa using the NORAD satellite tracker to see his progress around the globe and to find out how many presents have already been delivered. When we see that he’s approaching the UK, we make sure we’re in bed and I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I recently upgraded our bedding with a Hybrid Pillow for each of us and they’ve been delivered in time for Christmas. So I think we’ll easily be able to get a comfortable night’s sleep on Christmas Eve, no matter how excited we are.
If you haven’t seen them before, these pillows are adjustable in terms of height and fullness, so you can customise them by adding or removing the cushioning nanocubes of filling to achieve your own personalised comfort level. A pretty sure-fire way to sleep soundly until Christmas morning, I reckon!
Santa Claus is coming to town and, so the rumour goes, he sees you when you’re sleeping and he knows if you’re awake. So no presents for you if those eyes are open when he arrives, uh oh! It’s just not worth taking the risk is it?
By the way, last week I shared a cute idea for a 12 Days of Christmas Books Advent Calendar with festive-themed books wrapped up so, if you’ve had a go at making one yourself, you can enjoy a final Christmas story before you snuggle down to sleep.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas Eve and a very enjoyable festive holiday. Let me know your own Christmas Eve traditions in the comments below, I’d love to hear your plans in the run-up to the big day.
Pin it for later
Some items in this blog post have been gifted to me and the pink links indicate a gifted product, affiliate link or information source. All thoughts and opinions in this post are based on my own experience and I am not responsible for your experience 🙂
