If you're looking for Christmas Eve box ideas, then you've come to the right place!
One of the newest festive traditions to become an integral part of the Christmas magic, these customisable boxes help to make the night before the big day every bit as special as 25 December itself.
'Christmas Eve boxes, unlike so many Christmas traditions, aren’t just limited to kids,' says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy trend expert. 'They have become just as popular with adults and pets alike!'
Christmas Eve box ideas – new family traditions
While some people have adapted the more classic Christmas Eve box ideas to act as an alternative advent calendar, gifting them on 1 December so that the treats inside get more use, plenty of people still prefer to hold theirs back until the night before Christmas.
'All rules and traditions go out the window when it comes to Christmas Eve boxes, as chocolate coins, nuts, candy canes and clementines can all be saved for stocking filler ideas,' says Dayna.
'Instead, boxes can be filled with more practical items for the night and day ahead.'
Dayna is right; the idea behind the Christmas Eve box is to create a gift set of all the things required to ensure the perfect family night before Christmas.
All you have to do is buy one of the specially designed boxes on offer, like this Customisable Wooden Christmas Eve Box from Ginger Ray (or one of the 38,000 options on Etsy), and fill them with treats.
Think matching pyjamas sets, a festive DVD, Christmas story book, bath time treats, seasonal crockery for Santa's treats, and everything you need for your hot chocolate station, too.
Where to buy: budget Christmas Eve box
Where to buy: keepsake wooden Christmas Eve box
What to put in a Christmas Eve box for 2025
1. New pyjamas
Matalan; Family Christmas PJS, from £17
A set of pyjamas is always a must when it comes to your Christmas Eve box ideas! It's a classic choice, as it ensures the last sleep before the big day is done in serious style.
For those looking to fully embrace the fun of the festivities, it's worth noting that family Christmas pyjamas have been trending in recent years. With matching sets there's a festive PJ for the whole family – to make it all the more magical!
2. Plate for Santa's treats
Get little ones excited about the arrival of Santa with a dedicated treat plate to leave the traditional offers of a mince pie, carrot and a glass of milk.
Now, you can browse The Range's gonk homeware collection for all of your Christmas Eve box ideas, or you can go for something a little different...
3. Cookie baking set
Enjoy some family bonding time over an afternoon of baking festive tasty treats! And to make sure things are as fuss-free as can be, you can buy Amazon's top-rated baking tool for under £10, which will work perfectly alongside a simple cake or cookie kit.
You can pick up easy-to-make kits that you simply add eggs and water and then bake – quite literally a piece of cake! You could even bake in the morning and deliver your sweet treats to friends, family and neighbours – to spread the joy.
4. Hot chocolate making kit
Is there anything more Christmassy than a steaming hot mug of drinking chocolate?
We know, we know: you've already gotten your hot chocolate station sorted. Still, you can add some fun to proceedings by gifting them everything they need to make their own extra-special cup of chocolatey goodness.
Buy them a new mug, pick up a sachet or a jar of hot chocolate, and don't skimp on the mini marshmallows. Then, all that's left to do is add them to your Christmas Eve box ideas for an easy way to make everyone's favourite bedtime drink.
If you want to add an extra festive twist to your drinks, try an adorable hot chocolate reindeer cones!
To do it, just fill a food bag with hot chocolate mix, topped with chocolate sprinkles and mini marshmallows. Then, tie them up with a pretty ribbon, add a pipe cleaner as antlers and some eyes, and you've got yourself a Prancer, Dancer, or a Vixen...
5. Magical snow globe
The mesmerising snow globe is a festive favourite, so shake up your Christmas Eve box ideas this year with a wonderful festive scene to capture little imaginations.
Now, you could make an afternoon of it and make some easy DIY Christmas decor, and fill the box with all of your crafting materials. Or, if you prefer, there are a wealth of brilliant designs to buy online...
6. Stationery set
Adults and children alike will always appreciate an excellent stationery set, making it the perfect addition to all of your Christmas Eve box ideas!
While you might prefer something more sophisticated for the grown ups (might we suggest the V&A Michaelmas Daisy Writing Set from Amazon?), the little ones will obviously be looking for the perfect kit to write their letter to Santa.
The Letter To Santa Kit from Turning Tables, as seen above, even comes with a pre-addressed envelope, making it easier than ever to get their mail to the big man himself.
7. Christmas books
In Iceland, jolabokaflod (or 'book flood') is celebrated on 24 December, making it a wonderful addition to all of your Christmas Eve box ideas.
The concept is simple: people give and receive new books (often accompanied by delicious treats) and everyone retreats to their cosy reading nooks to enjoy their new story in serious style.
With this in mind, then, we're sure adults and children alike will appreciate the gift of a festive story – and there are plenty of goodies to choose from this year, too, including Mammy Banter's The Sh!te Before Christmas on Amazon...
8. Bath time treats
Whether you're planning on ripping into your Christmas Eve box ideas early, or saving them for the night before Christmas, you'll need to ensure adults and little ones are fresh and ready for the big day.
Fill yours, then, with a bevy of bathtime treats – and some of the best Christmas scents, too – so that you can run the ultimate bubble bath before 25 December rolls around...
Alternatively, you can learn how to make oaty bath milk and create your own homemade pamper gift for loved ones. The choice is yours!
9. Christmas movies
The ultimate Christmas Eve box idea, of course, is a movie for the whole family to enjoy – either from the comfort of your own sofa, or wrapped up warm in your own DIY outdoor cinema.
Whether you're watching Buddy the Elf find his way around New York city, or Kevin McCallister causing chaos in Home Alone, laughter and feel-good vibes are guaranteed in equal measure with a much-loved movie.
Here are a few of our favourites, just in case you need some inspiration...
- It's A Wonderful Life
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- The Holiday
- Home Alone
- Die Hard
- Elf
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas
- Klaus
- Scrooged
- Arthur Christmas
FAQs:
What should I put in a Christmas Eve box?
It's a good rule of thumb, when filling your Christmas Eve box, to ensure that you have a tasty treat (or two), something to drink, something to read, something to watch, and something to do – whether that be a boardgame, a baking kit, or a fun craft of some kind.
It's also nice to include a few pampering essentials, to make the night before Christmas as relaxing as possible: think bubble bath for the kids, face masks for the adults, and a scented candle to set the mood.
What can I fill a Christmas box with?
It's a good idea to tailor your Christmas Eve box ideas to suit your family's unique personality. Are you movie buffs, for example? Do you prefer a fun night of games and crafts? Would a quiz appeal to everyone gathered together on 24 December? Or might everyone prefer something quiet, like a good festive book?
Do you wrap Christmas Eve box presents?
There are no rules as to whether or not you should wrap Christmas Eve box presents. If you have time (and paper to spare), go for it! If not, though, the box itself is wrapping enough.
Now that you have a list of Christmas Eve box ideas to work through, here's hoping your 24 December is as magical as it can possibly be.
With that in mind, then, we wish you a merry Christmas Eve, and a happy night of family fun. Enjoy!