How To Do A Children’s Christmas Eve Box
Make your kiddo’s Christmas that little bit more spectacular with a magical Christmas Eve box! If this charming tradition sounds like something you’d like to try, ‘yule’ love this festive read, full of tips and tricks for the ultimate Christmas Eve treat box.
The Tradition of the Christmas Eve Box
Join us to explore this fabulously festive trend! Find out what the tradition is all about and get inspired with some tree-mendous Christmas Eve box ideas for your little elves.
How do I make Christmas Eve special for my toddler?
Annual Christmas Eve traditions are a marvellous way to make festive family memories and bring the magic of Christmas to life. You could bake cookies or mince pies to leave out for Santa or make some reindeer food (mix oats with edible glitter) and sprinkle it outside for Rudolph and the gang! You could wrap up warm for a Christmas lights tour of the neighbourhood, watch a classic Christmas flick, play a favourite board game, get creative with some Crimbo crafts, or start your own Christmas Eve box tradition to spread the gift-giving cheer early!
What is the Christmas box tradition for kids?
Christmas Eve boxes are believed to have been inspired by German traditions where gifts are exchanged and opened the night before Christmas. Now, families all over the world have introduced the Christmas Eve box into their festive celebrations to give their children’s Christmas an extra special touch. A kids Christmas Eve box is typically filled with gifts your littlen can enjoy that evening, such as cosy Christmas PJs, storybooks, bath toys, and chocolate treats. You can pop them into a decorated cardboard box or personalise a wooden crate with your tot’s name.
What to put in an Xmas Eve box for a baby?
A baby's Christmas Eve box is a wonderful way to start heartwarming family traditions. Baby Christmas Eve box fillers could include a festive sleepsuit, Santa-themed board book, cuddly plush toy, soothing teether or rattle, and their first stocking ready for Santa’s visit.
Baby Christmas Eve box ideas:
These thoughtful additions will make your baby’s Christmas Eve magical while setting the tone for many merry memories to come!
- Snuggly sleepsuit
- Christmas board book
- Festive blanket
- Soft plush toy
- Bobble hat and mittens
- Teether or rattle
- Sensory toy
- Baby bubble bath
- Glow stars or nightlight for bedtime
- My first Christmas stocking
Shop our award-winning Simply Scandi range for more Christmas Eve box ideas for babies.
What to put in a Christmas Eve box for toddlers?
Fill your toddler’s Christmas Eve box with a handful of small but meaningful gifts to entertain them the night before Christmas, such as a festive colouring book, mini board games, musical instruments, a picture book, and cosy pyjamas.
Christmas Eve box ideas for toddlers:
Need inspiration for a toddler Christmas Eve box? Take your pick from these 10 Christmas Eve box fillers.
- Christmas colouring book or craft activity (see our free printable activity sheets)
- Tin mug with a sachet of hot chocolate & mini marshmallows inside
- Gingerbread man (or their favourite festive treat)
- Small toy or two (think mini board games, puzzles, sensory toys, musical instruments, soft dolls, craft sets, bath toys, animal figures, etc.)
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Packet of reindeer food to sprinkle in the garden (mix oats with glitter inside a little drawstring bag)
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Some children's bubble bath (for making Santa beards in the tub!)
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Pair of comfy Christmas pyjamas
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Christmas socks or slippers
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Festive storybook for bedtime
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Letter from Santa (to let them know they’re on the Nice List!)
Is a Christmas Eve box from Santa or parents?
A Christmas Eve box is usually a gift from the parents (why should Santa get all the credit!). This heartwarming sentiment is a great bonding activity, especially if you create a family Christmas Eve box and stuff it with seasonal treats for a cosy night in together. Alternatively, if you’re doing Elf On The Shelf, you can use the Christmas Eve box as a goodbye gift from the elf.
What time do you give Christmas Eve boxes?
Traditionally, Christmas Eve boxes are given on the night before Christmas. Timing it for the evening is a handy approach if you want to entice your tots to bed with some snuggly Christmas jammies and a festive story! However, some parents like to surprise their kids with a Christmas Eve box on the morning of the 24th; that way they can enjoy their new toys and treats throughout the day.
Share The Love
We'd love to see how you get on with your Christmas Eve boxes, so tag @bigjigstoys on Instagram to share your snaps with us. And if you have any fabulous ideas for a Christmas Eve box filler - let us know!