What to Put in a Christmas Eve Box: Ideas for Children

Christmas Eve boxes have become a lovely way to mark the beginning of Christmas as a family. Opened before bedtime on 24 December, they usually contain a few small treats and activities chosen to make the evening feel special.

But a Christmas Eve box doesn’t need to be overflowing with presents.

Some of the loveliest boxes are built around a few thoughtful things that help everyone slow down, get cosy and enjoy the anticipation of Christmas morning.

If you’re wondering what to put in a Christmas Eve box for your child, here are some simple ideas.

Classic Christmas Eve box ideas

Start with the things that make Christmas Eve feel warm and familiar.

Christmas pyjamas
A fresh pair of festive pyjamas is a classic for a reason. They signal that the busy part of the day is over and it’s time to settle down for the evening.

A Christmas story
Choose something you can read together before bed. A book also has the advantage of being brought out again next Christmas.

Hot chocolate
Add a sachet of hot chocolate, a festive mug or some marshmallows for an easy Christmas Eve treat.

A small snack for Father Christmas
A special biscuit or little packet of treats gives children something to leave out before bedtime.

Reindeer food
A child-safe wildlife-friendly mix can add a little extra magic. Avoid glitter or anything that could be harmful to animals.

A Christmas activity
Colouring sheets, pencils, a small puzzle or a simple craft can provide a calm activity during the evening.

A decoration
A personalised bauble or small Christmas decoration is something your child can keep and add to the tree each year.

You don’t need all of these. Pick two or three that suit your family and your child’s age.

A meaningful centrepiece: something they can keep

Rather than filling the box entirely with things that will be eaten, worn or forgotten, consider including one item that becomes part of Christmas Eve itself.

This is exactly the kind of moment Freddie Star was created for.

A Star for Christmas Eve tells the story of Freddie, a small guiding star who helps Father Christmas find children wherever they are. After reading the story together, children place their soft Freddie Star companion beside their bed. As the room gets darker, Freddie gently glows.

The book and Freddie then come back out every Christmas Eve, turning one present into a familiar family ritual.

Christmas Eve box ideas by age

Toddlers

Keep things simple and comforting. You might include:

• Soft Christmas pyjamas
• A sturdy Christmas story
• A favourite bedtime snack
• A soft companion
• A simple Christmas decoration

At this age, the box itself doesn’t need to be elaborate. The excitement comes from doing something special together.

Children aged 3–5

This is a lovely age for imaginative Christmas traditions.

Try including a Christmas story, festive pyjamas, a simple craft or colouring activity and something connected to Father Christmas.

Children at this age may particularly enjoy a ritual such as putting Freddie beside their bed to help show Father Christmas where they are.

Children aged 5–8

Older children can become more involved in preparing for Christmas Eve.

Alongside pyjamas and a book, you could include a Christmas activity, a note from Father Christmas, something to prepare for the reindeer or a keepsake they can bring out each year.

You could also let them take responsibility for part of the family routine, such as choosing the bedtime story or arranging the treats for Father Christmas.

How to make it a tradition, not just a gift

The most memorable Christmas traditions aren’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive. They’re often the things children know will happen every year.

Try giving your Christmas Eve box a simple routine.

Have baths and put on Christmas pyjamas. Make hot chocolate. Leave something out for Father Christmas. Curl up together and read your Christmas Eve story.

Then put the special Christmas things in their usual places before bed.

Repeating those little moments each year is what turns them into traditions.

And don’t worry about making Christmas Eve perfect. Children are far more likely to remember how it felt than whether every detail looked picture-perfect.

Keep it simple, warm and yours.

Add Freddie to your Christmas Eve box

Freddie Star combines a beautifully illustrated hardback story, a soft glow-in-the-dark Freddie companion and a premium gift box, designed to become part of Christmas Eve year after year.