Christmas Eve Box Ideas for Kids

In this article

1. What is a Christmas Eve Box?
2. What to Include in a Christmas Eve Box
3. Fun and Cosy Box Fillers for Kids
4. Tips for Creating a Magical Christmas Eve Experience
5. How to Make a Christmas Eve Box 

The wait for Christmas can often feel very long, especially when your seven-year-old has started the daily countdown from mid-July. But plan in some clever Christmas Eve box ideas for kids and you can stop them checking the clock every minute – and possibly even get them to bed before midnight, too. 

Whether the Christmas box tradition is new to your family, or you’re a seasoned ‘boxer’, welcome – we’ve got plenty of tips, tricks and crafty solutions to help you pull off this festive hack and make it your best one yet. 

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What is a Christmas Eve Box? 

Loaded with festive treats (mainly of the non-edible kind), a Christmas box is presented to your kids the night before the Big Man arrives. It’s packed with small surprises, cool ideas and cosy comfort to engage overactive imaginations and keep little hands occupied. It can be as simple or elaborate as you want, but the sentiment is the same: managing excitement levels while creating family moments (both for the children and any doting grandparents who can’t resist buying little gifts) that you’ll look back on and treasure forever.    

What to Include in a Christmas Eve Box 

Your Christmas Eve box is going to house everything from PJs, socks and books to treats for Santa and his reindeers. You’ll also need room for a few fun items and goodies like Smarties® or Milkybar® Buttons. Pick a box or crate that will house your treasures – something that’s reusable for next year is always a good idea. As for decorations, get festive! Christmas stickers, ribbons, wrapping paper – sprigs of natural evergreen foliage such as fir or rosemary look really wintry against brown paper. To line the inside of the box, go for tissue paper, strips of wrapping paper, those paper shavings you saved from that hamper last year – or even dry hay, if you're feeling really authentic.  

Those are the broad strokes, now let’s get into the nitty-gritty.  

Fun and Cosy Box Fillers for Kids 

When it comes to Christmas Eve box ideas, the secret is to have a well-rounded selection of items. You'll have slightly more space to play with than in the humble Christmas stocking, so can add slightly larger items. Here are a few suggestions to fire up your imagination:  

1. A cosy pair of special festive pyjamas immediately set the tone for a magical evening and Christmas morning. Think soft, fluffy sleepwear with a festive theme.
2. Christmas-themed socks or slippers to complete the look!  
3. A special festive story – or even just the latest release from their favourite author – will encourage bedtime and bring a little quiet to those excited minds. Comic annuals and puzzle books work well during the day.
4. Festive colouring books and crayons can be used to colour in a picture for Santa. Get the kids to write a note on the back and leave it beside his traditional offering of cookies and milk.
5. A few treats, like Milkybar® Buttons or Smarties® to enjoy while opening presents the next day.
6. Make up small bags of reindeer food to leave out for Santa! Think rolled oats, a mix of bird seeds and, if you're feeling fancy, a teaspoon or two of red- and green-coloured sugar. Get the kids to put the food into a bowl outside rather than throwing it on the ground. It makes cleanup much easier.  
7. DIY hot chocolate sachets that the kids can mix up and sip on. Measure out two level teaspoons into a small self-sealing compostable cellophane bag (available online) and throw in a teaspoon of mini marshmallows. Pop a label on and personalise them with a message in silver or gold pen!
8. Tasty Christmas cookies like our Christmas Shortbread Snowmen, Christmas Biscuits and Smarties® Cookies can be packaged individually or come with a sharing instruction!  
9. A small toy is great for building excitement – or a special Christmas ornament they can hang on the tree before Santa arrives.
10. A family board game or a deck of cards to enjoy some quality family time. A Christmas-themed deck of memory cards always goes down a treat.
11. Lastly, don’t forget to pack Santa a treat. Cookies, a mince pie and of course a carrot for the reindeer. If there is more than one child, you can split Santa’s treat over a few boxes, so each child feels like they are contributing to Santa’s surprise! Create a special spot near the tree or chimney where the kids can leave Santa’s goodies. 
     

Bonus tip: Don’t forget to take a few pics to immortalise your Christmas Eve box ideas. Your grandparents and family members will delight in seeing a few happy snaps on your family messaging group. 

Tips for Creating a Magical Christmas Eve Experience 

Sprinkle even more magic dust on your Christmas Eve boxes.  

1. You know your kids better than anyone, so use that knowledge and personalise with love and care. Use their favourite colours, add their (current) favourite character and mark each box clearly with their name. You could also make up a funny elf name for each child with this handy generator.
2. Set the festive mood with fairy lights or a Christmas playlist. Instead of making the cookies ahead of time, include the recipe with an invitation and bake the cookies together on Christmas Eve. Often what children appreciate most is just spending time together doing a fun activity.  
3. For a guaranteed screen-free evening, line up a few games and activities. Print out our Christmas Jokes for Kids and host a stand-up hour. After that, why not do a few quick-fire rounds of our Christmas Quiz?  
4. Plan ahead and don’t overcommit. Parents have enough to worry about on Christmas Eve, so it's better to do a few things well rather than everything chaotically. After all, it’s a family evening of comfort and connection, plus there’s still lots to get done once the little ones are asleep!

How to Make a Christmas Eve Box

1. Choose a container that suits your needs. If you have a sturdy wooden box or crate hanging around in the garage, these have that special factor. Otherwise, a cardboard box or shoebox covered in wrapping paper is just as exciting. If you’re in a pinch, a large gift bag will do.  
2. Line the box with layers of tissue paper, strips of wrapping paper or hay.
3. Fill it thoughtfully. Start with flat or soft items like PJs and books. Add DIY items like hot chocolate, recipes or Nestlé treats. Finish with small or breakable items like delicate toys or decorations, to avoid any drama!  
4. Sensory touches are always fun, so tuck a cinnamon stick or floral-scented sachet into the box.
5. Close it with style using Christmas-coloured ribbons, tinsel or festive washi tape. For extra flair, use stickers and a name tag. You could even drape the boxes in fairy lights for a magical glow when the children first see the box.
6. Lastly, create two dedicated spaces in your living room. One for the boxes and a special place for the kids to leave Santa’s goodies.  

It's better to do a few things well rather than everything chaotically. After all, it’s a family evening of comfort and connection, plus there’s still lots to get done once the little ones are asleep!
 

Conclusion 

With just a few thoughtful steps, you can make this festive season one for the books with our Christmas box ideas for kids. They might not remember its exact contents in years to come, but they’ll always remember the magic you created on Christmas Eve. And you’ll remember how peaceful the atmosphere was as they played with their gifts instead of climbing the walls. What’s not to love?