THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Christmas Eve Pixie-ing
Christmas Eve began with presents and food intended for someone else. The family bought gifts, sometimes included a turkey, wrapped the presents, and loaded everything into the car. Then the children went “pixie-ing.”
Their task was to deliver the parcels to another family’s doorstep without being discovered. They planned their approach, hurried to the door, rang the bell, and raced back to the waiting car. Excitement and the fear of getting caught turned the delivery into an adventure.
Back home, the family made hamburgers piled so high that nobody could get their mouth around them. Before bed, everyone opened one present: new pyjamas to wear that night and into Christmas morning.
Together, these three parts made a Christmas Eve with its own rhythm: do something generous, share something wonderfully messy, and settle in together.
Shared by:
The Erickson Family - Claresholm, Alberta, Canada
0080
CATEGORY
Christmas
FREQUENCY
Annually
AGES
All Ages
COST
Flexible
The Story Behind It
The family began this tradition when their children were little. They wanted to bring some Christmas happiness to families who had fewer resources to celebrate.
Giving became something the children actively helped do. They loaded the car, planned the doorstep deliveries, and experienced the anticipation of leaving a surprise for someone else.
The secrecy was part of the fun. The children were thrilled to be taking part and worried that someone might open the door before they could escape. The family remembers hurried retreats across icy ground, occasional slips, and children scrambling back into the car before they drove away.
“I don’t think we ever did get caught!” they recalled.
Once the deliveries were finished, the evening continued at home with an equally memorable meal. Hamburgers were stacked with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, raw and sautéed onions, cheese, and all the condiments. Eating them became a challenge, and watching everyone attempt it was part of the entertainment.
The final familiar moment came before bed. Each person opened a gift that was always new pyjamas, ready to wear while falling asleep on Christmas Eve and waking up on Christmas morning.
The tradition changed as the children grew up and left home. Its meaning remains in the family’s memories of giving others something to smile about, followed by the laughter and comfort of their own evening together.
What You'll Need
Gifts and food suited to the receiving household, wrapping supplies, and a way to deliver them.
For the meal, gather hamburger buns, your preferred patties, and a selection of toppings. The submitted family’s spread included lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, raw and sautéed onions, cheese, and condiments.
You will also need pyjamas if including that part of the evening.
The family estimated one to three hours for the tradition. Allow additional time for shopping and preparation as needed. Costs depend on the gifts, food, and number of people involved.
Make It Your Own
Keep the anonymous kindness and adapt the size of the gesture. One thoughtful gift, a grocery gift card, or a small food parcel can carry the same intention as a larger delivery. Giving should fit comfortably within your household’s means.
Children can help choose items, wrap presents, or make an unsigned card. Someone who cannot take part in the delivery can still have an important role in preparing it.
Keep the receiving family’s dignity at the centre. Avoid photographing their home or reaction, and let the gift arrive without any expectation of thanks or recognition.
At home, make the meal playful in a way that suits your family. Offer different patties and toppings, build smaller burgers, or turn the supper into a slider bar. The point is enjoying the meal together, whether anyone attempts a towering stack or not.
New pyjamas are optional. A favourite comfortable pair, fresh sheets, or another familiar bedtime ritual can provide the same gentle ending.
As children grow and households change, the tradition can change too. Adult children might join the deliveries, contribute from afar, or carry a version into their own homes. The shared thread is making room on Christmas Eve for both generosity towards others and time together.
How It’s Done
Before Christmas Eve, identify a household that would welcome a delivery of gifts or food. A trusted community contact can help establish what would be useful while protecting the recipients’ privacy and keeping the giver’s identity a surprise.
Choose items within your budget, wrap the presents, and prepare the delivery. If including food, check dietary needs and arrange a time when someone will be home to receive anything perishable.
On Christmas Eve, load the car and let the children help plan their “pixie-ing” mission. Choose a clear, well-lit route to the door. Leave the parcels, ring the bell, and return carefully to the car. The surprise comes from the anonymous delivery; there is no need to run, particularly on icy steps or paths.
Once home, prepare a hamburger supper with a selection of toppings. Everyone builds their own, with the option of attempting the family’s famously towering version.
Before bed, give each person a wrapped pair of pyjamas to open and wear into Christmas morning.