Christmas Eve box ideas: what to put in a Christmas Eve box

A Christmas Eve box is a gift box, basket or hamper that's opened on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day. For many families, it's become a much-loved festive tradition that helps build excitement before the big day and creates special moments together.

The idea is simple: fill a box with a selection of small gifts, treats and activities that make Christmas Eve feel extra cosy and memorable. Whether you're settling down for a festive film, enjoying a bedtime story or getting little ones ready for Santa's arrival, a Christmas Eve box can help turn the evening into part of the celebration.

Popular Christmas Eve box fillers include:

• Christmas pyjamas
• Fluffy socks or slippers
• Hot chocolate and festive treats
• Christmas books
• Family board games
• Craft activities
• Soft toys for younger children
• A festive film for family movie night
• Reindeer food or a note from Santa

Many families like to combine practical gifts with activities they can enjoy together, creating traditions that children look forward to year after year. Whether you keep it simple or go all out, a Christmas Eve box is a fun way to make the countdown to Christmas feel even more magical.

Mix and match cosy comforts, festive treats and fun activities to create a Christmas Eve box that feels personal. Choose a few favourites for a relaxed night together, from matching pyjamas and hot chocolate to games the whole family can enjoy.

Help everyone settle in for a warm, cosy and relaxed Christmas Eve by adding a little comforting treat such as:

• Christmas pyjamas
• Christmas slippers
• Dressing gowns
• Fluffy socks
• Soft blankets

Pop in something tasty to enjoy during a Christmas film or family game:

• Chocolate coins
• Festive biscuits
• Hot chocolate
• Marshmallows
• Sweets

Bring the whole family together by adding an activity to enjoy together while the excitement for Christmas Day builds:

• Christmas storybooks
• Board games
• Family film night essentials
• Craft kits
• Puzzles

Creating a Christmas Eve box doesn't need to be complicated. You can make them by hand, go for a personalised container or purchase ready made Christmas boxes and sacks.

You can use alsorts of types of containers for your Christmas Eve box. They could be purpose-designed for the job, or something homemade for that personal touch. Some ideas include:

• A reusable Christmas Eve box or sack
• A gift basket
• A festive crate

Many families reuse the same Christmas Eve box each year as part of their holiday tradition.

Going with a theme is ideal if you’re gifting a Christmas Eve box to multiple people or a combined family box. Some ideas you could pick from include:

• Cosy night in
• Family movie night
• Christmas crafts
• Hot chocolate evening

You’ll want your Christmas Eve box to be balanced and budget friendly as they shouldn’t be overlapping with the gifts under the tree. Consider adding the following as a basis for each person:

• One practical item
• One treat
• One activity

This can help keep the box meaningful without becoming overly expensive.

Consider each family member's interests and age when selecting items. Personal and handmade touches often make the tradition feel more memorable.

Children's Christmas Eve boxes often focus on comfort, imagination and family time.

Nothing says Christmas quite like the mass of sweet treats. A Christmas Eve box is a great place to add a few little indulgent treats for all to enjoy. Add treats with a festive twist for a nice touch. Go for Christmas classics like:

• Chocolate coins
• Candy canes
• Mini selection packs
• Festive biscuits
• Hot chocolate sachets

Babies and toddlers may be a bit young to fully understand the Christmas countdown just yet, but they can still enjoy being part of the family’s Christmas Eve traditions. Rather than filling their box with lots of new toys, focus on comforting, sensory and practical items that can become part of the evening’s routine.

A festive sleepsuit can make bedtime feel a little more special, while a soft toy, storybook or comfort blanket creates a cosy moment to share. Choosing Christmas-themed essentials also helps the box feel different from the presents waiting under the tree.

Ideas for babies and toddlers include:

• Soft toys for cuddles at bedtime
• Baby-safe books to enjoy together
• Bath toys for Christmas Eve bath time
• Comfort blankets for a cosy wind-down
• Festive sleepsuits ready for bedtime
• Teething toys for a useful sensory addition
• Musical toys for fun sounds and play

Always check age recommendations and safety guidance provided with any gift or toy.

Christmas Eve boxes aren't just for children. Many households now create Christmas Eve boxes for adults as part of a couple's celebration or a family tradition.

Christmas is the perfect time to indulge a little, so adding some beloved drinks and festive favourites can make the recipient’s Christmas Eve that bit more special. Think specialist teas and coffees, luxury hot chocolate, seasonal soft drinks and festive favourites. You could even include the ingredients for Christmas cocktails like a snowball.

Board games are great activity for a cosy family Christmas Eve. Pick old favourites or find something new to enjoy before the big day.

Finish off a cosy family Christmas Eve with a festive movie night. Think family favourite films in the glow of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Get comfy on the sofa with fluffy blankets, a big bowl of popcorn and other favourite snacks for a relaxing evening.

The Christmas period can by busy, so take a moment to treat your loved ones to a spot of Christmas Eve relaxation. Consider adding a few self-care and relaxation items to a Christmas Eve box such as:

• Candles
• Bath products
• Beauty sets
• Hand creams

A Christmas Eve box doesn’t need to be expensive or packed with new presents. A few thoughtful additions can help set the scene for a cosy evening together, and you may already have everything you need at home.

Try baking biscuits together, borrowing a festive story from the library or bringing out a favourite board game. Even small touches, such as homemade hot chocolate or a printed activity sheet, can become part of a Christmas Eve tradition that everyone looks forward to.

Budget-friendly ideas include:

• Baking homemade biscuits together
• Printing festive colouring or activity sheets
• Borrowing Christmas books from the library
• Playing a family board game you already own
• Making hot chocolate with ingredients from the cupboard
• Creating homemade reindeer food for Santa’s visit

It’s the time spent together that makes Christmas Eve feel special. Keep the box simple, choose activities your family will enjoy and make the evening your own.