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21 Christmas Eve Box Filler Ideas
Image Credit: Annie Spratt
Christmas Eve Boxes are a comparatively new part of the Christmas celebrations here in the UK, although the fun idea for Christmas Eve has been well established in the US for a decade or so.
The idea of a Christmas eve box is to create a cosy family tradition on Christmas Eve, where the family get to gether and share some treats before the big day!
What is a Christmas Eve Box?
A Christmas Eve Box is a place to gather together a few fun, cosy treats and small gifts to make your Christmas Eve a special family occasion – sort of extending Christmas Day by adding a cosy, friendly and relaxing lead up to it.
All the things in the box should be regarded as "small pleasures", - inexpensive fun items which could also be homemade.
It’s also a great way to wind down so that you get a good night sleep to make sure that Santa Claus visits in the night!
What Goes Into A Christmas Eve Box?
These are your Christmas Eve Box essentials!
The things that you choose to go into your Christmas Eve Box will depend on how you like to spend your Christmas Eve, but there are a few items that it is traditional to put into your box.
- Christmas Pyjamas
- Hot Chocolate
- A Christmas Movie
- Snacks
- A Christmas Book
- Santa’s Magic Key
- Magic Reindeer Food
- A Christmas Mug
- Family Games
- A Christmas Jumper
- A New Christmas Tree Decoration
- Toiletries
- A Puzzle or Activity Book
- A Festive Soft Toy
- Slippers
- A Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle
- A Christmas Stocking
- A Letter From Santa
- Thank You Cards
- Mini Craft Kits
- Christmas Socks
A pair of Christmas pyjamas is an absolute must, and they are available at many places on the High Street and online.
The design should be traditional and festive, with Santa Claus, candy canes or other traditionaly cheesy Christmas designs.
Image Credit: American Heritage Chocolate
A yummy hot Chocolate is the classic drink for your Christmas Eve celebration.
You could include a sachet of a favourite flavour of hot chocolate, or a tin or jar. For a more luxurious drink include a pack of mini marshmallows in the box or add a hot chocolate stirrer.
Only a few years ago this movie would be included in the form of a DVD or Blu-ray, and of course you can still do that if physical media is your favorite format.
But if you use Netflix, Amazon Prime, on-demand TV (for example, in the UK the BBC include many festive favourites on iPlayer in December) or another streaming service, you could include an envelope with the name of this year’s movie choice, or maybe a couple of options, if you think that the family will be able to agree!
Here are a few ideas for the most loved family Christmas movies of all time.
Image Credit: silviarita
You’ll need something to go with that hot chocolate, so maybe some cookies, gingerbread men, lebkuchen, chocolate coins or perhaps some popcorn to eat with the movie.
Of course homemade treats would be perfect for this, so why not make an afternoon of it and get the kids in the kitchen to help?!
Choose a festive book such as The Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express or The Snowman. This chould be a book that can be read aloud if younger children will be included in the festivites.
Older kids will love some of the books from this list of our choices of best Christmas books for Children.
This is absolutely crucial, so that Santa can get in the house if you don’t have a chimney of course!
Any old or decorative key can be used for this, or they can be purchased very cheaply from Amazon, Etsy or eBay.
Its very important that you don't forget Rudolph and his friends of course! Magic Reindeer Food is something that you can make yourself - it is usually just plain porridge oats or bird seed which has been packaged nicely or pre-packed versions are available.
Sprinkle outside for the reindeer to eat. (Birds will probably really appreciate your gift, especially if it is very cold). Make sure that your reindeer food is good for your animal friends with these wildlife-friendly reindeer food ideas from the RSPCA.
More Christmas Eve Box Ideas
Image Credit: Canva AI
There are lots of other things that can be included in your box; all of them are fun things for Christmas Eve.
All the gifts should be small and inexpensive – the idea is not to make Christmas a lot more expensive, and they can be items that you might have given as stocking fillers.
Any small gift item would be a lovely thing to put into your Christmas Eve Box, the choice is yours.
A mug with a Christmassy, festive design would be lovely to to drink that hot chocolate out of.
Any game that the whole family can join in such as card games or board games is perfect for putting in your Chrsitms Eve Box.
As it is Christmas, a traditional game seems appropriate, but maybe don't go for Monopoly - you don't want to still be awake when Santa comes around.
Add a brand new jolly Christmas Jumper for the little ones to wear on Christmas Day. They will be cosy and festive all at once.
A beautiful new decoration to hang on the Christmas tree just before bedtime makes a lovely keepsake to remember this Christmas.
Here are some of the best personalised Christmas tree decorations.
Toiletries will always go down and at this time of year it is easy to find Christmas versions of most things such as soap and body lotion. These will always go down well.
You could add anything, even something that the kids need such as Christmassy bubble bath or toothpaste. Other ideas include a festive lip gloss or hand cream.
This should be book of relaxing and fun puzzles or colouring to help everyone wind down - nothing that boggles the brain too much. There are dozens of Christmas-themed puzzle books available at supermarkets, bookshops and online.
Could we suggest our very own eParenting Book of Wordsearches, which has 100 brand new themed wordsearches, suitable for kids or adults?
A Christmas teddy would go down a treat in a Christmas Eve Box.
Marks & Spencer's collectable Spencer Bear for 2024 is absolutly adorable, and you can bet that many stores and supermarkets will have their own collectable Christmas toys to tie-in whith their Christmas advertisments.
Of course you can find all sorts of festive plush toys almost anywhere, and they can easily be found in charity shops too.
Slippers are always a cosy idea, whether you give themed Christmas slippers or some nice fluffy ones!
Life soft toys, there are any number of places to find them in bricks and morter stores or online.
AS an alternaive to playing a board game, you could get the whole family to put together a Christmas jigsaw puzzle.
Again they are available all over but we love this affordable selection from The Works.
Image Credit:Donna Spearman
Give them a lovely Christmas Stocking to hang up over the fire place or put at the end of the bed. Once they (eventually) get to sleep, fill with traditonal gifts like an orange, nuts (if age and allergy appropriate) and traditional Christmas treats such as minty candy canes or sugar mice.
A lump of coal is also traditional for kids who have been naughty. I'll leave that one to your discretion!
Pop a letter from Santa into your Christmas Eve box so that the kids know that he is thinking about them as he makes his deliveries.
You can use this free letter from Santa editable template to make a letter that is personlised for your child.
A pack of thank-you cards will encourage your children to write a quick note to thank people for their presents.
These could be anything from jewellery making kits to special kits for making Christmas decorations.
Who knows, you might even encourage your kids to take up a new hobby. These beginners knitting kits could encourage kids to try knitting themselves larger projects.
You can never have too many socks in the cold weather, so Christmas socks will keep little feet warm all through the festive season.
Where Can I Buy A Christmas Eve Box ?
There are two options when it comes to the actual box that you put your items into.
The first is to make your own box. You can use any cardboard box that you have at home and decorate it as you please; cover it in Christmas wrapping paper, paint it with a festive design or stick pictures onto it.
You can do the same with an old wooden box or crate, or you can buy a plain wooden box to decorate from your favourite craft shop or Amazon.
Of course there are some beautiful ready-made Christmas Eve Boxes that you can find online.
Santa, Penguin & Elf Christmas Eve Box
This cute and affordable cardboard Santa, Penguin & Elf Christmas Eve Box by Snow White at Amazon is ready to filled with gifts. Sent flat packed it measures 21cm x 32cm x 11cm.
Personalised Laser Engraved Solid Ply Wooden Christmas Eve Box
This Personalised Wooden Christmas Eve Box by Bespoke at Amazon, is professionally laser engraved with a bespoke design onto the wooden box.
For more fun Christmas ideas of things to do, can you do everything on the Christmas Bucket List 2025?