Christmas Eve Box Ideas: What to Put Inside
A Christmas Eve box holds cozy treats and a few small items for the night before Christmas. See what to put inside, for kids, teens and adults.
A Christmas Eve box is a small box of cozy items opened the night before Christmas, such as pajamas, a book, a treat, and a movie. It makes the evening feel special and helps everyone slow down. Here is how to build one and what to put inside.
Why families do it
The night before Christmas can feel jittery. A Christmas Eve box gives kids something to look forward to that is calm and shared. It also gives the family a built-in tradition that is easy to repeat every year.
Pick the box
- Choose a sturdy box, basket, or large bag.
- Wrap it in paper or decorate with stickers and ribbon.
- Add a name tag for each child, or make one family box.
- Store it with decorations so it is easy to find.
If you reuse the box every year, it becomes part of the tradition.
The classic items
- New pajamas. Matching sets are a popular choice, but any cozy pair works.
- A holiday book. Read it together before bed.
- Hot chocolate or cider mix. Add marshmallows or a candy cane stirrer.
- A small treat. A chocolate, a cookie, or a bag of popcorn.
- A movie. Choose one the family loves.
- Fuzzy socks or slippers.
Extra ideas for a fuller box
- A new ornament, dated for the year
- A puzzle or coloring book
- A card game or small board game (see our Christmas games)
- A flashlight for reading under the covers
- A stuffed animal
- Cookie mix for Santa’s cookies
- A letter to Santa and an envelope
- A sprinkle of “reindeer food” made from oats and sprinkles, for the lawn
- A note from a parent about the year
Ideas by age
Toddlers and preschoolers
- Board books, a soft toy, a snack, and a bath toy.
School-age kids
- A chapter book, a puzzle, a craft kit, and a treat.
Teens
- Cozy socks, a favorite snack, a streaming night, a journal, and a handwritten note.
Adults and couples
- A candle, tea, a good movie, a cozy blanket, and a card.
Make it about the night
Plan the evening around the box.
- Eat an easy dinner. Soup, pizza, or leftovers work well.
- Open the box together, around dinner or before bed.
- Put on pajamas and start the movie.
- Make cocoa and read the book.
- Leave out cookies for Santa.
- Tuck everyone in on time.
Add a small activity
- Make paper snowflakes and hang them on a window.
- Play a short game, like Christmas bingo.
- Take a walk to look at lights.
- Write a note to your future self and keep it for next year.
Keep it low-cost and low-stress
- Spread purchases out over the fall.
- Use what you already have: a book from your shelf, a favorite movie, or a mug.
- Repeat favorites each year, so you do not need new ideas.
- Keep to one or two special items and a few small ones.
- Skip anything that makes extra work.
Make it work for different homes
If you travel, pack a small box or bag. If kids split time between homes, make a box for each place. If you host guests, a basket of cocoa and cozy socks for the guest room is a warm welcome.
Pair it with other traditions
The box goes well with an advent calendar or an elf on the shelf farewell note. For other seasonal ideas, read about Christmas traditions in the US and Canada.
Quick Checklist
- Box or bag chosen and decorated
- Pajamas bought in the right sizes
- Book, movie, and treat picked
- Hot chocolate supplies ready
- Extra item or two added
- Evening plan set
- Cookies and milk ready for Santa
- Box stored for next year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Christmas Eve box?
It is a box opened on Christmas Eve with small cozy items, such as pajamas, a book, a movie, and a snack, to make the night special and help kids settle.
What goes in a Christmas Eve box?
Common items are pajamas, a holiday book, hot cocoa, a treat, a movie or game, and a small ornament. Keep it simple and cozy.
Do I need to buy a special box?
No. Any sturdy box, basket, or gift bag works. Wrap an old shoebox or reuse the same box each year.
