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What Is a Christmas Eve Box?

Start the Festive Gift-Giving Fun Early With These Christmas Eve Box Ideas

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Why wait until Dec. 25 to start opening presents when you can dive in the night before with a Christmas Eve box? Inspired by the European tradition of opening some or all gifts on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve boxes are becoming more and more popular in the UK, as families look for ways to extend the festive fun by giving a few small treats early. Typical contents include things that can be enjoyed that night, like hot chocolate, festive food items, a Christmas movie, PJs, slippers, scented candles, card games, and festive bath goodies. Think of it as an early stocking.

In addition to the standard contents, there are various ways you can add a unique touch to the Christmas Eve box you put together. We've come up with lots of ideas for what to fill it with for all those special people close to you, from little ones, your partner, and the grandparents to your siblings, flatmates, and even your pet. Take a look at our filler ideas, and then shop our pick of personalised Christmas Eve boxes you can bring out year after year. Enjoy your new festive tradition!

Image Source: etsy.com

Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Kids

Kids are the prime target market for a Christmas Eve box. In addition to the standard contents, there are some magical touches you can add to a child's Christmas Eve box to really amp up the excitement and create wonderful memories:

  • A personalised letter from Santa
  • "Reindeer food" (oats or bird seed) to sprinkle outside or leave with the carrot
  • A Christmas story book, activity book, or colouring book
  • Festive-shaped chocolate lollipop or gingerbread man
  • A personalised Christmas tree decoration
  • A Christmas-themed soft toy
  • Santa's "magic key" and a jingle bell

To make things supersimple, you can buy a ready-packed box for kids, like the TwinkleBoxCo Christmas Eve Box With Contents (£28).

TwinkleBoxCo Christmas Eve Box With Contents
£28
from notonthehighstreet.com
Buy Now

Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Couples

You and your partner can crack open a Christmas Eve box together — personalised with your details — with contents that are all about your favourite festive treats, romance-inducing items, and matchy-matchy cuteness. You could include:

  • Favourite drinks (canned cocktail, anyone?)
  • A sharing bag of sweet treats or popcorn
  • Sexy lingerie
  • Massage oil
  • A blanket to snuggle under
  • Matching Christmas onesies
  • A Christmas candle

Pictured: The Bespoke Workshop Couples Christmas Eve Box (£30 and up)

Image Source: etsy.com
The Bespoke Workshop Couples Christmas Eve Box
£30
from etsy.com
Buy Now

Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Grandparents

It's likely that grandma and grandpa will enjoy some traditional festive treats in their Christmas Eve box to remind them of their childhood, along with some decadent goodies to enjoy the night before Christmas, such as:

  • Satsumas
  • A lump of coal (for old time's sake!)
  • Chocolate liqueurs
  • Candy canes or chocolate coins
  • A bottle of fizz or miniature bottles of spirits
  • Cheese and biscuits
  • Matching mugs

Pictured: I Just Love It Family Christmas Eve Box With Mistletoe Wreath (£38 and up)

Image Source: etsy.com
I Just Love It Family Christmas Eve Box With Mistletoe Wreath
£38
from etsy.com
Buy Now

Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Your Siblings

Relive the magic of Christmases past for your grown-up siblings with a Christmas Eve box full of old family favourites and new festive fun. Personalise a box with your surname if you're giving the box to your whole sibling squad. You could fill it with:

  • Matching pyjamas for all the siblings
  • Mince pies/gingerbread/stollen (whichever was the fave back in the day)
  • Christmas trivia game
  • Favourite childhood festive chocolates
  • Festive Lego figures to build together
  • Photos from Christmases as kids

Pictured: The Letteroom Personalised Prism of Starlings Collaboration Christmas Eve Box (£46)

The Letteroom Personalised Prism of Starlings Collaboration Christmas Eve Box
£46
from notonthehighstreet.com
Buy Now

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Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Pets

Your furry, feathered, or scaly friend can get in on the fun the night before Christmas, too, with a Christmas Eve box for your pet. Fillers could include:

  • Edible treats
  • Toys
  • Animal "alcohol"
  • Novelty outfit/knitwear
  • Grooming products
  • A personalised tree ornament
  • A Santa hat

If you have a dog, the hard work has been done for you with the Quirky Gift Library Dog Christmas Eve Box (£24), which contains dog treats, a ball, tuggy toy, and doggy IQ test sheet.

Quirky Gift Library Dog Christmas Eve Box
£24
from notonthehighstreet.com
Buy Now

Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Flatmates and Friends

If you're spending Christmas Eve with friends or flatmates, give your squad a treat with a Christmas Eve box packed with festive fun. You could add:

  • A cheesy Christmas CD
  • Festive bath bombs
  • A takeaway menu
  • Christmas scratchcards for each of you
  • Card games
  • Mulled wine
  • Matching Christmas socks

Pictured: Potting Shed Designs Personalised Family Heirloom Christmas Eve Chest (£85)

Potting Shed Designs Personalised Family Heirloom Christmas Eve Chest
£85
from notonthehighstreet.com
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Personalised Oak Christmas Postcard Keepsake Box

Looking like it was sent from the North Pole, the Personalised Oak Christmas Postcard Keepsake Box (£15, originally £20) is ideal for the little ones in the family.

Personalised Oak Christmas Postcard Keepsake Box
£15
from personalisedgiftsshop.co.uk
Buy Now

Norma & Dorothy Christmas Eve Box For Couples

With a pair of cute rabbits kissing on the lid, the Norma & Dorothy Christmas Eve Box For Couples (£34) is just perfect for you and your special someone, with your names added to the handcrafted, pine wood box.

Image Source: normadorothy.com
Norma & Dorothy Christmas Eve Box For Couples
£34
from normadorothy.com
Buy Now

The Letteroom Personalised Pets Christmas Eve Box

The Letteroom Personalised Pets Christmas Eve Box (£30 and up) comes in two sizes, and all you need to do is let them know the name of your pet. It's perfect to fill with treats for the furry/feathered/scaly members of the family.

The Letteroom Personalised Pets Christmas Eve Box
£30
from notonthehighstreet.com
Buy Now

Personalised Photo Cube With Festive Treats

As you can put pictures from Christmases past into the four sides of the Personalised Photo Cube With Festive Treats (£35), this box is ideal to give to your siblings to remind them of childhood festive family times. You choose the name and message to add to the lid, and the bonus is that it comes full of sweet treats.

Image Source: prezzybox.com
Personalised Photo Cube With Festive Treats
£35
from prezzybox.com
Buy Now

Personalised Large Christmas Eve Box For Couples

You can choose what text to display on both lines with the subtly stylish Personalised Large Christmas Eve Box For Couples (£17, originally £25), perfect for your parents.

Personalised Large Christmas Eve Box For Couples
£17
from personalisedgiftsshop.co.uk
Buy Now

Personalised Pet Christmas Eve Box

Add your pet's name to the lid of the Personalised Pet Christmas Eve Box (£35) and prove that they, too, believe in the big man.

Image Source: prezzybox.com
Personalised Pet Christmas Eve Box
£35
from prezzybox.com
Buy Now

Bespoke & Oak Co. Personalised Christmas Eve Box

The Bespoke & Oak Co. Personalised Christmas Eve Box (£35 and up) is designed without a lid — handy if you want to fill it with larger treats. You can choose the image underneath the name you add to the box, which comes in two sizes.

Bespoke & Oak Co. Personalised Christmas Eve Box
£35
from notonthehighstreet.com
Buy Now

Apple Crates Personalised Christmas Eve Box Crate

Another alternative to the typical "box" style, a crate also allows larger objects to stick out over the top. The Apple Crates Personalised Christmas Eve Box Crate (£24) has a vintage feel and looks like it's been sent direct from Santa.

Image Source: applecrates.co.uk
Apple Crates Personalised Christmas Eve Box Crate
£24
from applecrates.co.uk
Buy Now

Blueberry Boo Kids Personalised Christmas Eve Box Bags

There's also the option of a bag rather than a box. With the Blueberry Boo Kids Personalised Christmas Eve Box Bags (£12 and up) you can choose from different sizes, bag colours, and text colours, with the word "treats" or "goodies".

Blueberry Boo Kids Personalised Christmas Eve Box Bags
£12
from notonthehighstreet.com
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The Letteroom Personalised Bookishly Collaboration Christmas Eve Box

Ideal for any bibliophile, The Letteroom Personalised Bookishly Collaboration Christmas Eve Box (£46) has a fairytale lid featuring your surname, making it perfect for the fam to share.

The Letteroom Personalised Bookishly Collaboration Christmas Eve Box
£46
from notonthehighstreet.com
Buy Now

Hobbycraft Pyrography Tool and Wooden Box Bundle

For something a bit different, the Hobbycraft Pyrography Tool and Wooden Box Bundle (£14) gives you a blank canvas to burn in your own design, perfect for keen crafters to create a unique Christmas Eve box for loved ones.

Image Source: hobbycraft.co.uk
Hobbycraft Pyrography Tool and Wooden Box Bundle
£14
from hobbycraft.co.uk
Buy Now

John Lewis & Partners Christmas Eve Box

Bring the festive colour with the John Lewis & Partners Christmas Eve Box (£22) in bright red, adorned with a white Christmas ornaments print.

Image Source: johnlewis.com
John Lewis & Partners Christmas Eve Box
£22
from johnlewis.com
Buy Now

The Works Medium Special Delivery Christmas Eve Gift Box

For an affordable alternative to wooden options, The Works Medium Special Delivery Christmas Eve Gift Box (£5) has plenty of space for treats for the kids.

Image Source: theworks.co.uk
The Works Medium Special Delivery Christmas Eve Gift Box
£5
from theworks.co.uk
Buy Now

Hobbycraft Christmas Eve Gift Box

The Hobbycraft Christmas Eve Gift Box (£3.50 or two for £5) is another great value option, and is just the right size for kiddies' PJs, hot chocolate, and a DVD.

Image Source: hobbycraft.co.uk
Hobbycraft Christmas Eve Gift Box
£3.50
from hobbycraft.co.uk
Buy Now

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