A carrot for Rudolph, a mince pie for Santa and... a Christmas Eve box of treats for the kids?!

If there is one thing I'd like to see the cost of living crisis banish to Room 101, it's the festive trend for gift giving the night before Christmas.

While they've become a staple part of December 24 routines for many, handing over extra 'stuff' a mere 12 hours before the biggest present-giving event of the year feels somewhat... gluttonous?

Not to mention - and perhaps my biggest reason for despising it - piling more pressure on stress-riddled parents already project managing the cost of everything else social media says they need for the festive season.

While I appreciate the sentiment - cosy items to calm whipped-up youngsters (soft pyjamas, a game, a new book to settle down with) or things to make memorable an evening that comes but once a year, surely we don't need anything else that leaves exhausted adults trying to recreate the final scenes of a Hallmark movie?

While some may argue we're just taking inspiration from our European neighbours who have their own traditions involving December 24 present exchanges, these boxes are definitely not steeped in ancient tradition.

In fact, the entire ritual reached a fresh low two years ago when Asda started selling Christmas Eve boxes and also dedicated shelf space to everything you could put inside step-by-step.

'The entire ritual reached a fresh low two years ago when Asda started selling Christmas Eve boxes and also dedicated shelf space to everything you could put inside step-by-step...'

From glowsticks and mugs to Christmas headbands and jelly sweets, while the arrangement no doubt helped under-pressure shoppers complete the job in a one-stop-shop system by edging down the aisle, isn't the magic lost if we're playing gift box Jenga?

Now sitting down with a well-thumbed copy of Twas The Night Before Christmas that comes out every year, enjoyed alongside steaming mugs of hot chocolate I'm all for. But Brussels sprout deely boppers and neon rave lights are nothing more than attempts to get parents to spend money. We can build magic into Christmas Eve, we don't need to buy it.

What do you think? Comment below or email opinion@thekmgroup.co.uk We're always looking for diverse views on the biggest issues. Get in touch if you'd like to contribute