The best ideas for filling a Christmas Eve box.

September 29, 2025

Magical Ideas for Your Christmas Eve Box

There’s something truly magical about Christmas Eve. The stockings are hung, the excitement levels are sky-high, and let’s be honest—parents everywhere are secretly counting down the minutes until the kids are tucked up in bed so they can have a little glass of mulled wine in peace.

Enter: the Christmas Eve Box. A gorgeous little bundle of festive treats to keep children entertained, calm those excitable spirits, and start a new family Christmas tradition. Whether you’re putting together a kids’ Christmas Eve box for toddlers, tweens or teens—or even a family Christmas Eve box everyone can enjoy—we’ve rounded up the best ideas to make the night before Christmas sparkle (without stealing the thunder of Christmas morning).

1. Cosy Christmas Pyjamas

Fresh, snuggly pyjamas are a must-have for every Christmas Eve box. Nothing says festive bedtime like a set of matching family Christmas pyjamas or soft winter PJs for the kids. They make for the cutest Christmas Eve photos and set the scene perfectly for Santa’s arrival.

2. A Festive Storybook

Pop in a Christmassy bedtime story to help little ones wind down. Think The Night Before Christmas or a modern picture book filled with twinkly illustrations. Reading together becomes part of the tradition—and it helps calm that fizzing excitement before sleep.

3. Chocolate Coins & Sweet Treats

It wouldn’t be Christmas without chocolate coins! A little pouch of festive sweets, candy canes, or even homemade biscuits make the box feel extra magical. Just enough sugar for a treat, not so much that you’ll be dealing with a midnight sugar rush.

4. Calming Crafts

This is a big win for parents. Include a simple festive craft activity: colouring sheets, Christmas stickers, or a make-your-own reindeer food kit (with oats and biodegradable glittery sprinkles). These calming activities are a brilliant way to keep excited hands busy while you finish off the gift wrapping.

5. A Christmas Eve Bath Treat

A festive bath bomb, lavender bubble bath, or sparkly bath salts turn bathtime into a soothing Christmas ritual. It’s a lovely way to ease little ones into their new pyjamas while sneaking in a bit of pre-bed relaxation.

6. A Personalised Mug & Hot Chocolate

Add a little festive mug with a sachet of hot chocolate and a few marshmallows. Bonus points if it’s personalised—it becomes a keepsake year after year. Perfect for a cosy Christmas Eve movie or snuggled-up storytime.

7. A Family Film Ticket (Homemade!)

Why not pop in a “ticket” for a family Christmas movie night? Whether it’s The Polar Express, Elf, Home Alone, or The Snowman, it turns the evening into a family event. You can even add some popcorn or festive crisps for that proper cinema feel.

8. Something for Santa & the Reindeer

Include a little pouch of reindeer food, or a plate ready to leave out mince pies and carrots. It’s a simple touch that builds the anticipation of Father Christmas’s visit and gets everyone involved.

9. A Cosy Blanket or Slippers

Nothing says cosy Christmas Eve like a soft blanket to snuggle under or a pair of fluffy slippers. If you’re creating a family Christmas Eve box, a big throw everyone can share makes movie night even more magical.

10. A Christmas Eve Keepsake

Finish off your Christmas Eve box with a personalised bauble (from Betsy Benn of course!), or even a handwritten note from Santa. It’s a little memento that turns your Christmas Eve box into a memory-making tradition year after year.

11. A Christmas Eve Jigsaw or Puzzle

A small festive jigsaw puzzle or even a Christmas crossword is the perfect way to settle everyone down. It keeps little minds busy without too much excitement—and you can leave it unfinished as a family project for Christmas morning.

12. A Scented Candle or Room Spray

For families with older children or just for the grown-ups, a Christmas-scented candle or gentle pillow spray adds that cosy festive atmosphere. Think cinnamon, orange, or pine—instantly making the living room smell like Christmas magic.

13. A Festive Playlist or QR Code to One

Create your own Christmas Eve soundtrack! Pop in a card with a QR code linking to a family playlist of Christmas songs and carols. It’s an easy way to set the mood while everyone’s crafting, reading, or sipping hot chocolate.

14. A Letter from Santa (or Father Christmas)

Slip in a little note “from the North Pole.” A personalised letter from Santa, telling children how proud he is of them this year, is an enchanting touch that makes the night before Christmas feel unforgettable.

15. A Family Game or Quiz

A simple card game, Christmas trivia, or festive bingo brings the whole family together. It’s short, sweet, and keeps the giggles flowing without winding anyone up too much before bedtime.

The Heriloom Christmas Eve House Box

And if you’d like to make your Christmas Eve tradition extra magical, our very own Christmas Eve House Box is the perfect place to start.

This isn’t just any box, it’s a personalised wooden Christmas Eve box shaped like a little house, complete with a roof that opens to reveal all your festive goodies inside.

Every detail can be tailored for your family: your child’s name, your home address, even your beloved pets. It’s designed to feel like your very own festive cottage, ready to be pulled out year after year as a treasured part of your Christmas Eve ritual.

For families who want something truly unique, you can provide us with a photo of your actual home. We'll capture the most important details, including the shape of your roof, the placement of your windows, or the plants on your doorstep. Imagine your children’s faces when they see a miniature wooden version of their own house transformed into a keepsake box from Santa himself!

The beauty of a heritage Christmas Eve box is that it grows with your family. One year it might hold tiny pyjamas and chocolate coins, the next it’s filled with festive crafts, books, and slippers. Each December, you’ll tie the velvet ribbon, lift the roof, and feel a rush of Christmas memories. More than just a box, it becomes a modern heirloom—a piece of your family story to pass down through generations.

So if you’re starting a Christmas Eve tradition this year, why not begin with a keepsake that’s as magical and enduring as the holiday itself?

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