What Is a Christmas Eve Box and What Should You Put in It?
Christmas Eve is a magical time of year. The presents are wrapped, the Christmas tree is glowing and the children are getting increasingly excited about Santa's arrival.
One lovely way to make Christmas Eve even more special is with a Christmas Eve box filled with a few festive surprises for the children to enjoy before bedtime.
But what exactly is a Christmas Eve box, and what should you put inside it?
What Is a Christmas Eve Box?
A Christmas Eve box is a box filled with a selection of small Christmas treats, activities and surprises for children to open on Christmas Eve.
There are no strict rules about what should go inside. The idea is simply to create a special Christmas Eve tradition that the whole family can look forward to every year.
Traditionally, a Christmas Eve box might contain things such as new Christmas pyjamas, a festive story, some treats and perhaps a Christmas decoration.
You could make your own box or, if you're short on time during the busy Christmas period, choose a personalised Christmas Eve box with your child's name on it.
A personalised box can be brought out every December and become part of your family's Christmas traditions for years to come.
What Should You Put in a Christmas Eve Box?
The great thing about a Christmas Eve box is that you can make it completely personal to your family. You don't need to fill it with expensive presents – a few thoughtful items can make the evening feel magical.
Here are some Christmas Eve box ideas to get you started:
Christmas Pyjamas
A new pair of Christmas pyjamas is a classic addition to a Christmas Eve box.
The children can put them on before settling down for the evening, ready for Santa's visit. You could even make taking a photograph in their new Christmas pyjamas part of your family's Christmas Eve tradition.
A Christmas Story
A Christmas book is another lovely idea. Choose a favourite festive story to read together before bedtime and make it part of your Christmas Eve routine.
As the children grow, you could build up a collection of Christmas books and bring out the same favourites every year.
Festive Treats
A few Christmas treats can add to the excitement. You could include chocolate, sweets, popcorn or another favourite snack for the children to enjoy while watching a Christmas film.
It doesn't need to be lots – just something small that feels special.
A Christmas Decoration
Why not include a new Christmas decoration for the tree?
You could choose a decoration with the child's name on it or one that marks a special year. Each Christmas Eve, they could add their decoration to the tree and watch their collection grow as they get older.
A Christmas Film
You could add a favourite Christmas film to your Christmas Eve tradition.
Rather than putting a physical film in the box, simply add a little note saying which film you've chosen. Then get everyone into their new pyjamas, grab some festive treats and settle down for a family movie night.
A Christmas Activity
A Christmas Eve box doesn't have to contain only physical presents.
Why not include a little activity for the family to enjoy together? You could bake Christmas biscuits, make hot chocolate, play a board game, make Christmas crafts or take a walk to look at the Christmas lights.
These are often the moments that children remember most.
Don't Forget Santa and Rudolph!
Of course, a Christmas Eve box wouldn't be complete without making sure Santa and Rudolph are looked after too!
You could include a carrot for Rudolph and perhaps a mince pie or another treat for Santa.
It can become part of the excitement of getting ready for bed and preparing everything for Santa's arrival.
Christmas Eve Boxes Can Be for More Than Just Your Own Children
A Christmas Eve box isn't only for children who live in your household.
Perhaps you're visiting family or friends on Christmas Eve, or you're dropping in to see nieces, nephews or your neighbours. A Christmas Eve box can be a lovely way to give them a small present and share in the excitement of Christmas Eve.
It also means you can enjoy the excitement of watching them open their present without giving away the surprises waiting for them on Christmas morning.
Start a New Family Christmas Tradition
The best thing about a Christmas Eve box is that there are no rules. You can fill it with whatever your family enjoys and change the contents as the children get older.
Perhaps you'll have the same Christmas story every year, add new pyjamas, watch a favourite film or leave a special activity for the whole family to enjoy.
A personalised Christmas Eve box can then become a treasured part of those traditions, brought out every December and filled with new memories each Christmas.
Christmas Eve is all about spending time together, getting excited for the big day and enjoying those little traditions that make Christmas feel special.