26 Ideas to put in your Christmas Eve Box. Christmas Eve boxes have seemingly become very popular in the last few years. We have been doing them for around eight years now ever since Charlie was about 2 years old. The beauty of them is once you have done them once it is very easy to do them the following year. Plus more importantly, they really do not need to cost a fortune. A Christmas box has well truly become one of our Christmas eve traditions. It is a trend that seems to be growing in popularity with many pictures appearing over social media in the run-up to Christmas. Each year our Elf on the Shelf delivers Charlie’s and Harry’s as a goodbye before going back to Father Christmas at the north pole to help him get ready for Christmas morning.
What is a Christmas Eve Box?
If this is the first time you have come across a Christmas Eve box then you may be wondering what a Christmas eve box actually is. Well, it is a normally (but not exclusively) wooden box gifted on Christmas eve which is full of small gifts for young children. An extra gift as such before the big day. It can be given to children either individually, or jointly. Or perhaps there is one for the whole family, which will keep the price down. Although I am a firm believer in a Christmas Eve box not having to cost a fortune and we reuse many of the items in our box year after year as they are part of our family traditions.
The boys both have their own Christmas Eve box. They have a personalised wooden box with their name on, made from natural pine and have a lovely smell. They are not huge measuring around 30cm, the perfect size to pop in some treats for the 24th December. I have also seen people use Christmas Eve crates with the child’s name on, these are a good idea without a lid. Or if you are looking for a cheaper alternative then I have also seen more recently cardboard box versions springing up in the shops.
Why do a Christmas Eve Box?
To be honest I was a little reluctant. After all the boys are very lucky and have plenty of gifts to open on Christmas Day. However, as I have mentioned we very rarely buy many new things for our Christmas eve boxes. And those things that are new we most likely would have brought anyway. So for us, it is just a fun way of packaging them all up and helping to keep the excitement levels under control. It has also over the years become very much a part of our Elf on the Shelf tradition.
Who brings the Christmas Eve Box?
For us it is our Elf on the Shelf. Although parents could bring the Christmas Eve box. As the boys get older at some point the elves will return home permanently. It could be that we will still continue our Christmas Eve box tradition but in a slightly different way with special gifts for the entire family. If you do not have elves (clever people) then you could easily start your new tradition with the parents leaving it under the Christmas tree instead.
Do you wrap items in the Christmas Eve Box?
This is a personal choice. But we don’t. The reason being is that I want it to be different to Christmas day gift giving. Plus our elves are not very dexterous and so would really struggle with wrapping paper and sellotape. Some of the items are bulky.. and inevitably I am running out of wrapping paper by this time. But the big question is what do you put in a Christmas Eve box?
What do you put in a Christmas Eve Box
I think the number one question I get asked about Christmas eve boxes is – What do you put in a Christmas Eve Box? Well, the beauty of this new family tradition is that you can put in whatever you want. There are no pre-set rules of what you should include. All the fun ideas of things to put in your Christmas Eve box below I have used over the years. They do not get them all every year which helps not only keep the cost down but also means they do not remember getting the same stuff year after year.
I am sharing twenty-six ideas Christmas eve box filler ideas, many of these items you may have around the house. As mentioned we really try to limit the items that we buy new. After all, it is the holiday season and there will be plenty of gifts on Christmas Day. The only new things we normally buy are PJs because the boys grow! And the perishables such as chocolate not that chocolate last long in our house anyway. Pretty much everything else is reused each year.
26 Ideas to put in your Christmas Eve Box
- A festive colouring book with pens or pencils
- Christmas book – we tend to include the night before Christmas
- Christmas movie – w have a couple and swap them out each year. Although if you are short on space then perhaps a movie token which can be exchanged for their favourite Netflix Christmas film.
- Munchies and snacks for watching the film, I opted for popcorn as its one of Monkey’s favourites
- Christmas PJs – we buy the boys a new set of Christmas pajamas each year anyway so we save these for Christmas Eve now.
- Christmas decoration – I have a wooden bauble made each year which lists five things on their wish lift from Father Christmas
- Candy canes
- Chocolate of some description – chocolate coins are a favourite in our household
- Hot cocoa – I include a sachet but have seen a cool red nosed reindeer version made out of hot chocolate with marshmallows on Pinterest.
- Christmas mugs
- Elf outfit – for the younger kids or something festive to wear the next day
- Reindeer ears
- Soft plush or a small toy
- Christmas craft kit
- Cracker – a great way of using up the spares from Christmas dinner
- Father Christmas plate to leave the mince pie and carrot on this evening. This is something we do to get ready for santa’s arrival
- Letter from Father Christmas – or you could include a goodbye letter from your elf
- Christmas cookie cutters or a pre-measured DIY biscuits in a jar kit for some baking.
- Santa Key if you don’t have a fireplace
- Gingerbread decorating kit
- New slippers
- Christmas stickers or notebook
- Paper chains to make – which is one of our favourite Christmas activities
- DIY reindeer food
- Christmas socks I have found these to be a particular favourite for older kids
- Greeting cards
Great Christmas Eve box ideas
As mentioned neither of the boy’s boxes will contain all of these things, after all, they will be spoilt on Christmas Day. But it should give you plenty of ideas for your own. Please let me know in the comments below if I have missed any awesome Christmas eve box ideas that you put in your Xmas eve box.
Does your family have a Chrstmas Eve box? What do you do to get into the festive spirit in your house?
New Christmas traditions – related blog posts
Christmas is such a special time for young kids. If you have enjoyed his post about fun Christmas Eve box ideas then you may also find these other Christmas time blog posts of interest.
Advent Calendar Fillers
- The boys have a wooden advent calendar and each year we fill it with activities for kids of all ages. It is a nice way of bringing Christmas fun throughout December. If you would like to do the same then I have written 25 advent activities for babies, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds.
- For slightly older children that may be Harry Potter mad then our 24 advent activities for Harry Potter fans has some great ideas to keep the magic alive.
- Staying at home? Then we have you covered with 24 advent lockdown activities for kids.
Elf on the Shelf
As much as the boys love Elf on Shelf I am wondering why we started it. It seemed like such a great idea at the time. But boy does it take a lot of effort especially when we are both working full-time. So the only solution is to get really really organised for this fun tradition.
- If like us time is short then you will love these quick and easy elf on the shelf ideas
- Charlie was only two when Elfie first visited and this is what she got up to on her first visit – Elf on the shelf ideas for a two-year-old. Only now Charlie is ten and we have since had some new family members. With both Harry and his elf Chocolate joining us as well. So I think we are long overdue for an update on our elf antics. Which I hope to share with you shortly.
New family Christmas traditions
A Christmas Eve box is only one of several family traditions we have at this time of year. As well as the gift boxes we also tend to play a board game on Christmas eve and wrap Christmas gifts. Over the years we have had much fun developing our Family Christmas Traditions. There are sixteen of them in total. Let me know what other Christmas traditions you have in the comments below.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog post about what to put in a Christmas Eve box. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas.
If you’ve liked this post please follow me on my social media channels:
Mudpie Fridays: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | LinkedIn
PIN for later – Christmas Eve Box filler ideas
61 Responses
Gorgeous. I did a box last year but didn’t bother with it this year. Hmmm… Maybe I’ll be more organised next year!
Firstly let me say, Merry Christmas to you too! I have seen these Christmas Eve baskets popping up in several blogs and social media and I think it is such a brilliant idea! I do not have children yet but think I might try to do one to start the tradition when they are old enough to get excited about Christmas! I love your basket and the idea of your Elf on the Shelf delivering your basket before heading back to the North Pole. 🙂
Merry Christmas! lovely post, I especially like the wooden bauble idea that’s beautiful 🙂 x
I like your Christmas eve box ideas they are pretty neat, who gave you the idea to create a Christmas Eve box? I have only heard about people doing them this year!
I think it is such a beautiful tradition to start, I hope to be able to do with when I have kids of my own. Thanks for sharing your child’s christmas eve box
I started one last year too. Not as impressive as yours but I’m hoping to up my game this year. I’ve ordered beautiful engraved wooden boxes which will hopefully last a lifetime! Can’t wait to see what you do this Christmas Eve! X
Games to play!
Lots of cute ideas here! We do a whole family box which usually has a movie and treats but this year I was thinking of other family activities to do together so we’re getting a new board game but I could see a lot of variations there. Maybe a mini golf night or bowling etc.
Great ideas thanks!
What a great idea. I’m sure it will catch on. Christmas morning can be a bit overwhelming for little ones and this spreads the presents out nicely. Arlo, my great grandson, is nearly three and he’ll be the first in the family to have one.
Magic my neice will be starting this tradition – love yiur suggestions
Great ideas here, I can remember making paper chains in prepartion for Christmas when I was a child!
Great ideas to try, I can remember making paper chains in prepartion for Christmas when I was a child!
Our second baby is due on Christmas day so I’m trying to get all my Christmas things for my daughter sorted asap just in case of an early arrival so this is great. Stickers is going to be her fave from this list and something I hadn’t thought of so thank you 🙂
Love these! I think I might include a “Santa’s favourite Cookie” recipe and either the ingredients premixed in a pretty jar (just add the egg) or a box kit.
I love the idea of the Christmas eve box, didn’t have them when I was younger
great ideas
What great ideas. We seem to run out of things to put in when we’ve done the new pj’s, dressing gown, small present, letter to Santa. So this will definitely help this year. Merry Christmas( know it’s a bit early).
What a clever idea I will definitely be doing this with my kids this year if I can get organised xx
Merry Christmas! i Have been doing Christmas eve boxes for years and I am so happy it has become more popular as I think it just adds to the magic! I never spend lots of money, just have things in there that will make Christmas eve more fun like choccies, popcorn a facemask, maybe socks or pjs and a game
Some great ideas here definitely going to have to pinch some of these
Aww I love this new tradition I always put a book and new pjs in 🙂
Brilliant ideas. My mum & I do a little box for my niece but she’s only 18 months so she doesn’t get excited about it just yet.
Great Ideas I love these boxes they’re fab
We have never tried christmas eve boxes before but we are going to do them this year
Some really good ideas here and some I didn’t even consider. Great useful post.
This is a really cute idea! I have 3 kids and I might just do this for them. I love the wooden boxes. They are beautiful.
These are great ideas! I’ve never heard of doing a Christmas Box before but it seems so fun!
A great fun way for the start of Christmas
What a lovely way to start Christmas.
I love this idea. It all adds to the magic of Christmas for the children. I shall make up a Christmas Eve box for my Granddaughter, Olivia. Many thanks.
What a great idea. Christmas can get very overwhelming. I love the idea of a Christmas Eve box.
Lovely boxes and ideas. The smell of pine is an added bonus.
I do really loved this Christmas Eve Box ideas, kids already know that you already have a gift/s for them but the exciting part are they really don’t know what it is. Thanks for sharing this with us will def making one for my kids.
Some good ideas I My children would definitely appreciate all of the above
First of all these boxes look so beautiful and festive. These are great things to put in it x
Ive been doing my children a Christmas Eve box for the last couple of years and it’s great – there are some lovely ideas here. I even do my partner one lol
I love doing the xmas eve box, I order off this site that delivers packages from China and get some itty bitty things like santa hat, xmas glasses and pencils etc.. then cant go wrong with hot chocolate and a mug and then some xmas activities
What a great idea. Have a merry Christmas !
I like the idea of a Christmas eve box. It makes gift giving more exciting and memorable.
Anything that will give me ideas and make christmas gift hunting easier, so much appreciated!
We’ve only recently over the past few years started Christmas Eve boxes for the kids but they absolutely adore them, we out in many of the same items as suggested here, PJ’s and slippers, a couple of sweet treats and usually a dvd to get them sleepy before bed that night
I love these personalized Christmas Eve box. When I have my own family I want to do this traditions.
Awesome idea! Kids love to receive a lot of little gifts such as stickers, coloring books, and crayons. They would definitely love a Christmas Eve box.
Great list! I like unique, fun, educational, new and ‘tried and true’ gift ideas for kids.
My favorite one is Reindeer ears. I just love it.
Thanks for the woderful list.
What a lovely idea and thank you for the suggestions too.
Thanks for this. I bought my youngest a Christmas eve box last year and was a bit stuck for ideas on what to put in it this year other than new pj’s and slippers.
Loved reading this thank you, plenty of very useful suggestions I will be using.
Those boxes are so cute and great idea for putting together Christmas boxes.
I have never heard of a Christmas Eve Box before! However, we celebrate Saint Nichols Birthday on December 6th. The girls place their shoes at the door, and the next morning receive goodies in their shoes!
I would definitely love to jave a new Christmas PJ for Christmas eve or coloring books. It sounds great too.
This is a unique celebration of the holiday season. Unique gifts make good memories.
More great ideas but that makes more difficult choices…
These are all great ideas to put in a Christmas Eve box. Every year I always put some new pajamas, hot cocoa, and a movie in to open that evening to wear and watch. I’ll have to add some of your ideas this year though. Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea so much, as well as all of your suggestions of what to put in the box. We are heading to Australia this year so it will be a little difficult and my daughter is only 2, but I think we might start the tradition next year. Merry Christmas! #BloggerClubUK
I’ve not done a Christmas Eve Box before so I am determined to get organised this year. Love the personalised boxes, Merry Christmas to you and your family! #BloggerClubUK
Beautiful boxes. Visiting from the blogger club uk. laurensparks.net
A Christmas eve box seems a lovely idea; I wonder how long it will before it is spoiled by retail companies thinking it is another opportunity to sell us all manner of stuff and make us feel guilty if we don’t buy from them?
We do something similar to the Christmas Eve Box, however, each member of the family gets their own box which includes for the kids: new Pj’s, a stuffed toy, and slippers or robe. The adults would get new pj’s and popcorn and a family movie or book.
Some great ideas,thanks for sharing x