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Last year I decided to make Christmas Eve boxes for the kiddies. I had heard of others doing it and thought it was a lovely idea so decided to replicate it and introduce it as a new Christmas tradition in our house. We always have a house full at Christmas so naturally, the kids are pretty wound up, I thought the boxes might give them something to focus on before bedtime on Christmas Eve.
What I Put in the Christmas Eve Boxes
- A new Christmas DVD
- Popcorn
- A Christmas mug
- Hot chocolate sachets
- Marshmallows
I bought the boxes in a local card shop in town although if I had thought about it beforehand I could’ve easily made a box using an old shoe box and simply wrapping it in Christmas gift wrap. (I feel a thrifty Christmas Eve box post coming along.) There are also plenty of online stores that sell personalised boxes.
The idea was for the children to open the boxes on Christmas Eve a few hours before bedtime. They could have a hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top then watch their new Christmas DVD’s whilst eating their popcorn. It enabled them to have a bit of rest time before the madness that is Christmas morning.
I included a personalised note on the top of each box that I created on my computer and cut out. You can also create your own thrifty Christmas tags using last years cards.
The kiddies were really happy with their boxes and I can’t wait to do the same thing this year. I deliberately didn’t buy big boxes as I only wanted a few items in them. I know some parents that add new pyjamas or onesies which is also a really nice idea.
Suggestions of Things for your Christmas Eve Boxes
Here are a few ideas of nice things that you could add to your own Christmas Eve boxes…
- Pajamas
- Onesies
- Slippers
- Gingerbread House Making Kit
- Hot chocolate
- Christmas DVD
- Christmas colouring/puzzle book
- Reindeer food
- A new ornament to hang on the tree
- Popcorn
- *Christmas Book
- A new teddy
- Homemade Christmas cookies or cookie making kit
- A letter from Father Christmas
**Don’t forget that if you are about to start your Christmas shopping it’s the perfect time to use a cashback site to earn money back while you shop. I personally use Kidstart and would definitely recommend it**
Ahh! We love our Christmas eve boxes. They are such a lovely treat.
My girls get new pj’s, a mug, hot chocolate, chocolate coins, reindeer food and a DVD 🙂
I don’t know why we haven’t done it before this Kim. It was a lovely start to the Christmas experience.
Think I might do new Pj’s this year too, as they need some anyway 🙂
This is such a lovely idea I think I will have to get thinking and do one for my son x
I’m definitely going to be doing it every year from now on with my two. They help to add a little bit of calm before the madness of Christmas day
I keep thinking about doing a Christmas Eve box too, I think this year I will do one. My five year old will love it.
I think you should Lynsey. I’m really glad I decided to do one last year and as I said in my post once you have your box and a few bits that you can keep and put in each year like the Christmas mug it really doesn’t cost that much to do each year.
There are always great deals on DVD’s and then really you just need some popcorn and maybe a sachet of hot chocolate 🙂