HOW TO PUT TOGETHER A CHRISTMAS EVE BOX KIDS WILL LOVE

LET’S START WITH THE BOX ITSELF

There are three ways to tackle the box itself:

1. AN OLD CARDBOARD BOX

The least expensive way is to use an old cardboard box and cover it with Christmas wrapping paper.

You will no doubt have plenty of cardboard boxes from online shopping deliveries! Wrap the box in Christmas-themed wrapping paper and then use ribbon or string to seal it up.

2. CRAFT YOUR OWN

If you want to go a bit fancier and make something that can be used year after year, Hobbycraft has a good selection of wooden and cardboard boxes you can customise with a festive design.

Take a look at them here: Hobbycraft Christmas Eve boxes 

3. READY-MADE BOXES

There are some beautifully designed Christmas Eve boxes around. Here are a few of my favourites. They might cost more upfront, but you can use them every year.

I absolutely love these Par Avion airmail-style boxes.

Personalised Christmas Eve Box Boxes

From £3.99

There are two sizes, each can be personalised with a name:

Small: 228x122x97mm

Large: 265x128x180mm

Buy from Etsy

And here are some of my other favourites, several of which can be personalised.

WHAT TO PUT IN A CHRISTMAS EVE BOX FOR KIDS

And now for the magic… here is a list of little gifts and treats that will put a big smile on your kids’ faces on Christmas Eve. They don’t need to be expensive, just well thought-out.

1. Christmas storybook: A Christmas-themed book is always a winner, especially for little children. The Night Before Christmas never fails to charm kids of all ages.
2. Slippers or socks: Everyone needs warm and cosy feet on Christmas Eve!
3. Pyjamas: A new pair of cosy pyjamas is a great way to signify the benefits of getting snuggly in bed nice and early on Christmas Eve! 
4. A Christmas movie: As the days of DVDs have long gone, using the promo image for a classic Christmas movie, like Home Alone, to create a cinema ticket for a family viewing on Christmas Eve? I use Canva – see my Christmas Eve Home Alone movie ticket in the image above.
5. Special Christmas note: If you know you won’t have time for a Christmas movie, how about adding a little note with a list of the fun activities you have planned for Christmas day?
6. Hot chocolate and marshmallows: What child isn’t going to love a special Christmas Eve hot chocolate with bobbing marshmallows? Spoon hot chocolate into a little bag, sprinkle with marshmallows and tie with string or ribbon. Or use a little jar. 
7. Mug (for hot chocolate): Find a festive mug or buy a personalised mug with your child’s name on. You can’t beat a reindeer mug at Christmas.
8. Gingerbread cookies: Homemade Scandinavian gingerbread cookies are lovely; here is the recipe I use from the ScandiKitchen. I actually have the ScandiKitchen Christmas book which has all manor of wonderful Scandi Christmas recipes.
9. Candy canes: Peppermint candy canes are a favourite for little kids at Christmas.
10. Reindeer food: Kids can sprinkle the reindeer food on the lawn to help guide Santa’s reindeer to their house.
11. Reindeer poop: Reindeer poop is actually chocolate-covered raisins!! Pop some in a bag and tie with a ribbon. Or buy some like this, ready-made (where’s the nausea emoji?)
12. A board game or puzzle: Great for keeping excited kids occupied whilst you do last-minute prep.
13. A special tree ornament: Buy or create a personalised or special tree ornament that you can hang on the tree on Christmas Eve. This makes for a lovely added family tradition that can grow and become a source of happy memories every time you decorate the tree in years to come.
14. A Christmas Stocking: A stocking for your child to hang out for Santa to fill.
15. A goodbye letter to the Elf: How about adding one of these free printable elf goodbye letters?

BRILLIANT CHRISTMAS EVE BOX FILLERS