Christmas Eve box ideas for kids and adults this festive season


Make Christmas Eve even more magical...


christmas eve box
Hollie Brotherton
Hollie BrothertonDigital Luxe & Commerce Editor
Updated: November 1, 2022

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas is on its way, and our attention is turning to all of our holiday traditions. Looking to make the festive season even more magical for your family? Try a Christmas Eve box to make the night before the big day extra special and exciting.

RELATED: Cool & unique gift ideas for kids this Christmas

MORE: Top toys for Christmas 2022: The most popular gifts that will be on Santa's wish lists

What are Christmas Eve boxes?

Believed to have originated from the German tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve, it's now become popular in the US and UK to get into the festive spirit early with a box of treats. Searches for Christmas Eve boxes increased by a huge 3000% last year, with families all over the country planning to take part and gift their own.

Often given in a personalised box or crate, you could make your own by upcycling something you already have, or alternatively you'll find lots of options from the likes of NotOnTheHighStreet and Etsy which can then be used year after year.

Two wooden crates filled with wrapped gifts, labeled 'HARRY' with festive designs.

Personalised Christmas Eve box, from £24.95/$30, Etsy

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A child in a white sweater holds a festive box labeled 'Oscar's Christmas Eve Box' with holiday illustrations.

Personalised Christmas Eve collaboration box, £39.95/$46.50, NotOnTheHighStreet

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Wooden box under a Christmas tree, labeled 'Olivia's Christmas Eve Box' with festive decorations.

Personalised Christmas Eve box, from £19.99/$24, Etsy

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Wooden box with 'The North Pole' theme, featuring Santa and reindeer illustrations, tied with a red and white ribbon.

North Pole personalised Christmas Eve box, £39.50/$45.97, NotOnTheHighStreet

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Person in red plaid pajamas holding a wooden box labeled 'Family' with decorative artwork.

Personalised wooden Christmas Eve box, £35/$40.74, NotOnTheHighStreet

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A personalized sleepover bag labeled 'More Sleep Sophie' with a Christmas tree and number 1, next to a wrapped gift and a blue and white patterned blanket.

Personalised Christmas Eve bags, £16/$18.62, NotOnTheHighStreet

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Christmas Eve box ideas: What do you put in Christmas Eve boxes for kids?

White and navy striped long-sleeved top and pants with reindeer face design.

Jingles-print pyjamas, from £26/$39, The White Company

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These festive PJs from The White Company are made from super soft cotton. They're available for ages 1-12, so all the kids can match.

Elaborate gingerbread house with colorful sprinkles and heart-shaped window, surrounded by snow.

Biscuiteers DIY gingerbread house kit, £36.99/$48.50, Selfridges

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This traditional gingerbread house kit includes pre-baked house pieces, royal icing sugar, piping bags and endless sugary decorations to make the most amazing centrepiece which will stay fresh all the way until 2023.

A child holds a blue book titled 'Around the World in 24 Hours' with a night sky illustration.

Personalised Christmas family storybook, £30, NotOnTheHighStreet

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A personalised story, where your little ones are the main characters, will get them so excited for the big day. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Santa as he makes his way across the world delivering presents on Christmas Eve.

Two pairs of festive socks: one with penguin design, the other with Santa Claus.

Christmas socks (2 pack), £6/$10.99, M&S

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We all love a pair of fluffy Christmas socks. This M&S set includes two festive designs.

A person holds two 'Imperial Telegrams' in front of a lit Christmas tree.

Message from Santa, £12.50, NotOnTheHighStreet

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What could be more exciting than reading a message from Father Christmas? The letters are designed to celebrate classic British telegrams using vintage 1960s postage stamps.

Five clear tubes of Magic Reindeer Food with brown labels tied with red and white string.

Magic reindeer food, £2.50/$3 for one, Etsy

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Kids will love leaving magic food out for Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve.

A chocolate figurine of a penguin wearing a beanie and a jacket.

Jolly penguin, £8.50 each, Hotel Chocolat

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A chocolate penguin from Hotel Chocolat is the perfect last sweet treat before Christmas morning.

MORE: The best Secret Santa gift ideas for every budget this Christmas

Christmas Eve box ideas: What do you put in Christmas Eve boxes for adults?

A box of Whittard hot chocolate selection with four different flavors.

Whittard of Chelsea luxury hot chocolate, £25/$31.93, Amazon

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What could be better than snuggling down in front of the fire with a hot chocolate on Christmas Eve? These Whittard luxury hot chocolates create the most decadent drink.

Moët champagne bottle with black and gold label featuring a vintage image of a couple.

Moët & Chandon Personalised Impérial Brut NV Champagne 200ml, £20/$20, Selfridges

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Or if Christmas Eve champagne is more their kind of thing, you can't go wrong with a mini bottle of Moët. This one can even be personalised with a photo.

A cylindrical candle with a red ribbon and label reading 'Winter' sits among greenery and orange slices.

Winter botanical candle, £32/$39, The White Company

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The White Company's 'Winter' is Christmas in a scent. It's a magical combination of spicy cinnamon, rich warming clove and fresh zesty orange.

Three white mugs with decorative patterns and initials A, B, C. One has a gingerbread figure in it.

Christmas stocking mug, £16/$14 each, Anthropologie

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These monogrammed ceramic mugs from Anthropologie are suitably festive for Christmas Eve.

Brown UGG slipper with white fur lining and UGG logo on the side.

UGG Scuffette Sheepskin and Suede Slippers, £85, John Lewis

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Nothing beats a new pair of fluffy slippers. UGG's slipper mules are perfect for those days between Christmas Eve and New Year (and beyond).

A white bear figurine sits atop a black 'Dream Cream' container next to a pink bath bomb with a green tree design.

LUSH Cosy Christmas set, £16, ASOS

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This festive bath bomb set from LUSH will make for a dreamy Christmas Eve soak.

MAC red lipstick with gold and pink packaging, next to a pink compact.

Lustreglass Sheer-Shine lipstick, £24/$24, MAC

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Because who wouldn't want the gift of a MAC lipstick to wear on Christmas day? 

A hand is placing a marshmallow into a mug labeled 'Rosie's Snacks'. Three personalized mugs with snacks are visible.

Personalised snack pot, £20/$23.28, NotOnTheHighStreet

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Fill a personalised pot with chocolates, sweets or popcorn to snack from while you watch Christmas films.

MORE: Best Christmas gift ideas for women 2022: Gorgeous gifts for her

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