Top 11 things to include in a children’s Christmas Eve box

1. Chocolate/sweets

We all know kids love a sweet treat, especially over Christmas time. So, it makes sense to pop one in the box. Try to look for sugar-free options as you don’t want them bouncing off the walls at night. They need to get to sleep early, or else Santa won’t visit. Some good Christmas themed chocolate/sweets include:

• Chocolate coins
• Candy canes
• Chocolate Santa.

Be sure they save some treats for you!

2. Soft toy

Next up on our list of items to put inside a children’s Christmas eve box is a soft toy. This would be more targeted at younger children, but bigger kids might like one too. Children love a snuggle with a soft toy when they go to sleep. Look for Christmas themed ones such as a cute reindeer or a cheeky elf.

3. Pyjamas

It goes without saying, pyjamas are a must for a children’s Christmas Eve Box. After a bath, there’s no better feeling than putting fresh pyjamas on. You could even get some new slippers or fluffy socks to match the pyjamas too. There are plenty of Christmas themed pyjamas available in shops that you can pick up for your little ones. You could even get matching Christmas pyjamas for the whole family.

Perhaps you could take a family photo and post it on social media. You could make this a family tradition you carry out each Christmas Eve.

4. Books

Placing a book in your children’s Christmas eve box is a great way to encourage them to read. It’s a great way to spend some quality time with your children enjoying reading together. There are plenty of Christmas stories out there to choose from. Find one your child will love. Then snuggle up in bed in their new pyjamas and soft toy and share a bedtime story.

Ask your child to read to you so they become more confident with reading. It will help them with vocabulary and spelling too. What will your child’s favourite Christmas book be?

5. Hot chocolate set

There’s nothing quite like a tasty hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows before bed. Kids get very excited about the thought of hot chocolate in the winter. So why not put a hot chocolate set in their Christmas eve box? You can buy a pre-made one or make your own.

The set will include:

• Cocoa powder
• A cup (a personalised one would be great)
• Marshmallows
• A spoon.

Once you’ve made the hot chocolates snuggle up on the sofa together and watch your favourite Christmas film.

6. Colouring activities

Next up on our list of items to put in a children’s Christmas Eve box are colouring activities and pencils. It’s a fun way to pass the time on Christmas Eve before bedtime. Get the whole family involved in colouring. Grab some colouring books or print out our activity packs and get colouring.

Colouring in Christmas pictures will get the children even more excited for Santa to arrive. What Christmas character will your child colour in?

7. A letter from Santa

You can make the Christmas Eve box even more special by adding a letter from Santa to it. Let the children know that Santa is watching them, and they must be good if they want presents. It’s a great way to get the children to bed early knowing Santa is only a matter of hours away.

There are plenty of templates online you can personalise to add your child’s name. You can make it look authentic, pop the letter in an envelope with a stamp on addressed to your child.

8. Jigsaw puzzle

If you’re still stuck for ideas for a children’s Christmas eve box, we still have more to come. Get those brains ticking and keep them occupied until bedtime with a jigsaw puzzle. It doesn’t have to be a Christmas themed one, it could be a jigsaw puzzle of their favourite TV character.

For older children, look for more complex jigsaw puzzles to challenge their minds. You could even get a big jigsaw puzzle that the whole family can work on together. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to help your children with their problem-solving skills and improve their short-term memory.

9. Toys

Whilst the kids will get enough toys on Christmas Day, place something small in their Christmas Eve box. It doesn’t have to be expensive so don’t worry about spending a lot of money on it. A toy will give them something to play with and keep them busy up until bedtime. Depending on the child’s age, some toy ideas include:

• A rattle
• Action figures
• Dolls
• Plastic keys
• Cars
• Plastic animals.

Save all the big and special toys for Christmas Day.

10. Bubble bath or bath bombs

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing soak in the bath on a cold winter’s night. Bubble baths or bath bombs are some good items to place in the box. During the festive season, there are plenty of Christmas themed bath bombs you can buy. Turn your bath water green and red. Once the little ones have had their bath they can put on their new pyjamas and slippers. They’ll be ready for bed as Santa is on his way.

11. Reindeer food

We are down to our final idea of items for a children’s Christmas Eve box. The box wouldn’t be complete without putting some food in for the reindeer to enjoy. Before the little ones go to bed ask them to place the food out for the reindeers.

They have been pulling Santa on his sleigh all night and need a tasty treat to fuel their energy. You can pick up reindeer food in most shops, or you could make your own.

Don’t forget to leave some milk and a mince pie out for Santa too.

Tips for creating the perfect children’s Christmas Eve box

Personalise it

To make your box extra special personalise it with their name. There are plenty of personalised designs out there to choose from, or you can create your own. You could even reuse the box each year.

Add whatever items in you like

Whilst we’ve offered a traditional list of items that make up a children’s Christmas eve box, don’t feel limited. Add any other items you think your little one might like.

Make it any size you want

There’s no rule on what size the box needs to be. If you only want to place a few items in, a small box will do. If you want lots of items in, opt for a large box or crate. The budget is up to you, too. Spend as much or as little as you want on the contents. It’s the thought that counts.

Get creative

If you can design the box or any of the items yourself, go for it. Handmade items are much more thoughtful than pre-made ones. Your children will appreciate the hard work you’ve put in to make their Christmas Eve box extra special. Check out our blog for some arty ideas you can work on.

Try out our activity packs

By now, you should have plenty of suggestions to create the perfect children’s Christmas Eve box. For printouts to place inside the box, check out our activity packs. They are filled with fun and creative activities for everyone to enjoy. You can design your own Christmas jumper or design a Christmas tree. Which arty activity will your little one like?

Our 4 activity packs are:

• Santa Academy
• Reindeer Recruit
• Elf Ed
• Fairy Fellow.

The Santa Academy app – coming 2022!

Are you ready for more festive fun? Get ready for the Santa Academy app!

Christmas is coming and Santa needs your little one’s help. Throughout December your child can help Santa prepare for Christmas Eve. They can choose to enrol into Elf Ed, Reindeer Recruit or Fairy Fellow and immerse themselves in Santa’s world.

From December 1^st to Christmas Day, your child will unlock new areas, buildings, and characters on Lacus Island. Enter a magical island that is filled with fantastic activities for your little ones to enjoy.

Download the app from November 1^st, 2022. School starts December 1^st, 2022.

Keep up with Santa Academy!

You can find new stories every day, written by our Author, Jill. Your little one can stay up to date with all their favourite characters, as well as the latest news. Lacus Island features 70+ characters, 50+ buildings, 19 unique shops and its own TV and radio stations.

Find more fun, festive tips and ideas, such as:

• Easy Christmas crafts for kids
• Christmas printables
• Things to do near you for Christmas
• Christmas activity book ideas
• Christmas art ideas
• Christmas party ideas for kids
• Tips for helping kids to read
• Christmas baking for kids
• Christmas countdown ideas for your family
• Christmas writing ideas
• And many more!