Growing up my small family had a tradition of our own, each Christmas Eve after our bubble fueled bath my mum would fill a tray with festive delights and would let us open one present from under the tree.
Just thinking back now, the fond memories fill my heart so I get why parents love to start new Christmas Eve traditions of their own.
What is Christmas Eve Box?
A Christmas Eve Box is a box of gifts and activities typically given to young children on the 24th of December as the anticipation and excitement for Santa's arrival heightens.
While many believe the popular trend stems from America, it hails from the European tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve, rather than on Christmas Day.
The popularity of gift infused boxes has risen in recent years as crafters far and wide produce a spectacular state of the art personalised wooden crates and boxes aimed to be reused year on year.
However, a homemade Christmas Eve can work just as well and will save you a small fortune on the lead up to the holidays. Simply wrap a cardboard box in festive paper and fill it however you please.
While some parents go all out and fill the much loved Christmas Eve box to the brim with goodies, the general consensus is to fill the box with a few small treats like cosy PJ's, a handful of sweet treats and maybe a Santa themed bedtime story or Christmas movie the whole family can enjoy.
What should I put in mine?
If you're looking for some inspiration on what to put in your Christmas Eve Box, look no further. Have a look through our list below and decide what you would like to put into the box, the choice is completely yours.
- Hot chocolate with a handful of marshmallows.
- Candy canes.
- Selection box.
- Christmas movie.
- A board game suitable for the whole family.
- The makings of a gingerbread house.
- Carrots for Rudolf.
- Cosy pyjamas.
- Fluffy socks.
- Microwavable popcorn.
- Personalised Santa plate.
- Slippers.
- A cookie decorating kit.
- Food and drink for Santa.
- Wildlife-friendly ingredients to make reindeer food.
- A personalised Christmas ornament (or make one using a simple salt dough recipe).
- Letter from Santa Claus or a nice list certificate (simply Google a free to download printable).
- Colouring book and crayons.
You really don't have to spend a fortune filling a Christmas box because the chances are you will pick up new pj's, a Christmas themed DVD, chocolate treats and whatever you decide to leave out for Santa but whatever you do, be mindful if you choose to fill your box with additional gifts, the kids might expect it every year.
Have you jumped on the Christmas Eve box bandwagon? What do you like to put in yours?
