If you're thinking of buying a Christmas Eve box for your little one, but have no clue what to include, you've come to the right place!
As a mum of two, with my eldest being seven years old, I've made my fair share of Christmas Eve boxes over the years, so I have plenty of Christmas Eve box ideas for kids.
It's incredibly easy to compare yourself to all the images and reels on social media that share their ideas, but the reality is you don't have to include much in a Christmas Eve box! Simple is always best, especially as they have lots of exciting gifts being delivered the very next day!
Here's the Christmas Eve box ideas for kids that I have made up over the years, and would always tell others to do too!
Christmas Eve box ideas for newborns up to 1 year old
If you're wanting to start a Christmas Eve box for your little one for their very first Christmas, it can be tricky knowing exactly what to put into a box, especially if you've already struggled on what to buy for their first Christmas!
I personally found simple to be best. Don't over think what you include and you can always reuse items such as Christmas books for the following years!
Here's what I would put in this Christmas Eve box:
• A first Christmas bauble: this would be really precious to hang on the tree to officially mark your very first Christmas with your little one.
• A Christmas book: Always a practical idea, plus you can pack it away with the decorations and reuse it every Christmas - you could even opt for a personalised Christmas book.
• My first Christmas sets: Whether it's a baby grow you've bought specifically for Christmas Day or a bib set to use for their first Christmas dinner, these are always good to add in if you're looking for little extras. It doesn't matter if you've used them throughout December either - they'll never know!
• Santa plate: While not entirely necessary until your little one fully understands Christmas, a Santa plate can be fun to include for older babies to help introduce the idea of leaving a carrot, milk and cookies for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve box ideas for toddlers
Quite often for a toddler's Christmas Eve box, it's worth repeating what you've used previously, such as Santa plates and books. As they're a little older now and maybe even excited about the magic of Christmas, so this is where you can start to include a little more in their box!
Here's what I would put in this Christmas Eve box:
• Christmas crafts: I personally found that on Christmas Eve, we felt in a bit of a limbo between prepping for the Christmas dinner, and organising any last bits, but then also trying to just relax for an hour before the chaos of Christmas day. The best thing about Christmas crafts is your tot can get messy and enjoy a fun activity, keeping them entertained for a few hours!
• A Christmas teddy: Every year we always add in a little Christmas Jellycat teddy to the Christmas Eve box which we bring out as a decoration the following year. It could be any cuddly toy or teddy that you choose!
• A door key: If you don't have a chimney, then Santa needs a magic key to be able to deliver the presents, and this is a great time to start introducing it! Your toddler can place it on the front doorstep or hang it up outside.
• Reindeer food: What toddlers don't love mess? With reindeer food, they can sprinkle it outside the front door for a bit of festive magic!
Christmas Eve box ideas for young children
While still adding a lot of similar things for toddlers and babies, we like to reuse a lot of items which also means we don't spend as much each year, especially as they start asking for more at Christmas. I'd still include everything I would put in for a toddler, but adjust the craft set to be more age appropriate.
Here's what else I would put in this Christmas Eve box:
• A puzzle: This can be done instead of a craft set or in addition too, but it's a great challenge to keep young children occupied while you finish off any last Christmas bits, or even a great way to spend some one-on-one time!
• Cookie making set: We love to make homemade cookies that we can all enjoy as well as Father Christmas. My children also don't like the Christmas dessert, so it's a great option for them to have after their dinner too! You can buy a baking set or use what you have to pop together, but it's a fun activity to do!
• Hot chocolate ingredients: Whether it's marshmallows or a Christmas hot chocolate kit, we add this in for the kids to relax with a hot drink and snuggle down with before they go to bed.
Christmas Eve box ideas for older children
My son will be turning eight next year and while he's still not quite considered an older child, I've made his Christmas Eve box a little differently to suit his interests. I've still included reindeer food, hot chocolate set and a cookie making set, but unless your child is crafty, I've not added a craft set this year.
Here's what I would put in this Christmas Eve box:
• A family game: Christmas is about spending time with those we love and it's something we want to encourage too. A game the family can play on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is always a great idea for older children and also a nice way to connect (without it feeling forced for those pre-teens!)
• Festive treats: Adding in their favourite snack to watch a film with is always a winner!
More about Christmas Eve boxes for kids
What age should you start a Christmas Eve box?
Realistically, this tradition can be started at any point in your child's life. Some people might prefer to wait until their little one is a bit older to understand the Christmas Eve box, whereas others might want to start it from their little ones' first Christmas.
Do I need a Christmas Eve box?
A lot of people are opting to do their Christmas Eve boxes on December first, to utilise some of the festive treats more, such as Christmas pyjamas and cups etc.
You don't have to do either if you don't want another thing to worry about buying. Christmas Eve boxes also don't have to be over the top! You can keep it simple with a small basket with hot chocolate, treats and anything you need to remind Santa where your house is (such as a sign, a key or even reindeer food).
Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two aged seven and three, and is currently expecting her third. She loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.