Christmas Eve box ideas for every age
Ideas for a Christmas Eve box that makes the night before Christmas feel special: what to put in one for toddlers, children, teens and grown-ups, plus a family box and one for under £20.
See the ideas
The five things that go in most Christmas Eve boxes
- New pyjamas, to put on straight away
- A Christmas book, to read together at bedtime
- A hot chocolate, with marshmallows or a candy cane to stir it
- A festive snack: gingerbread, popcorn or a chocolate treat
- A Christmas film, for the whole family to watch
Start with those, then add one or two things to suit their age. Little touches make it feel special: a gift tag with their name, a note "from the elves", or tissue paper and a ribbon.
Christmas Eve box ideas by age
Simple, soft and easy to open.
- Snuggly Christmas pyjamas
- A chunky board book, or a personalised Christmas story book from age 2
- A soft toy reindeer or snowman
- A pack of bath crayons or a festive bath toy
- Warm milk and a gingerbread biscuit
The magic age for Christmas Eve.
- Matching family pyjamas
- A personalised Christmas story book where they save Christmas
- Reindeer food to sprinkle outside
- A hot chocolate kit with mini marshmallows
- A Christmas film for the evening
- A small craft, like a decorate-your-own bauble
Fun to do, not just to unwrap.
- Fluffy socks and new pyjamas
- A personalised Christmas story book written for their reading level
- A puzzle book, card game or 500-piece jigsaw
- Popcorn and a film they choose
- A torch for reading under the covers
Cosy, grown-up and a bit indulgent.
- Loungewear or fluffy socks
- A face mask or lip balm
- Their favourite sweets and a fancy hot chocolate
- A card game to play with the family
- A novel, or a voucher for something they're into
Because they deserve one too.
- New pyjamas or a cosy dressing gown
- A mini bottle of something festive
- A scented candle
- Posh biscuits or chocolate truffles
- A Christmas film and a blanket
One big box to share by the tree.
- Matching pyjamas for everyone
- A family board game
- A big bowl's worth of popcorn and a box of hot chocolate
- A Christmas film everyone can watch
- A book for each child, or one family comic starring you all
A Christmas Eve box for under £20
You don't need to spend much. A box that feels generous can cost less than £20:
- Supermarket Christmas pyjamas
- Homemade hot chocolate: cocoa, sugar and mini marshmallows in a jar
- A bag of popcorn and a film you already own
- A personalised Christmas eBook (£6.99) to read on a tablet, or print at home
- A shoebox wrapped in brown paper and decorated by the children
Our personalised Christmas story book makes the child the hero of a Christmas Eve adventure: something goes wrong the night before Christmas, and they save the day using the thing they love most. Their name, their look and their big dream, with or without Santa. Read it together before bed and it becomes the part of the night they remember.
eBook £6.99 in minutes · Paperback £19.99 · Hardback £24.99, UK delivery included. For a printed book before Christmas, order and approve it by 12 December.
Questions
What is a Christmas Eve box?
A box of small treats given on Christmas Eve to help everyone wind down before the big day. Most have new pyjamas, a festive film or book, a hot chocolate and a snack, all things to enjoy that evening.
What do you put in a Christmas Eve box?
The classic five are new pyjamas, a Christmas book, a hot chocolate kit, a festive snack and a Christmas film. Then add something to suit their age: a small toy for little ones, a puzzle or craft for older children, or cosy socks and a face mask for teens and grown-ups.
How much should a Christmas Eve box cost?
Anything from about £10 to £40. A budget box built around pyjamas, a book and a homemade hot chocolate can come in under £20.
When do you give a Christmas Eve box?
Usually in the late afternoon or after tea on Christmas Eve, so there's time to put the pyjamas on, watch the film and read the book before bed.
What age are Christmas Eve boxes for?
Any age. Toddlers love the unwrapping, older children love the film and snacks, and plenty of families make one for the grown-ups or one big box for the whole family.