A Christmas Eve Box is a magical tradition that helps make Christmas Eve a special family time that will create lasting memories. But what should you put in it? We’ll show you some great ideas to fill your Christmas Eve box that will be sure to fill the day with memories and not empty your wallet.
This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.
What is A Christmas Eve box?
If you haven’t heard of this fairly new tradition, a Christmas Eve box is a special box that families open on Christmas Eve that is full of items to make the day special. Most lists say to included items like new Christmas PJs, Christmas socks, Christmas mugs, stuffies and other festive items. That is all fine and dandy, but what if you have enough of those items? Or feel like Christmas Day is full of presents, so why do they need a box of all new things the day before? Or what if your wallet is just tired right out? We’ve got you covered.
Personally, I think that Christmas Eve is for connecting as a family. In this post, I`ll share with you ideas of things to put in your Christmas Eve box that will spark laughter, fun and memories (and a sigh from your wallet).
What to Put in Your Christmas Eve Box: Snacks!
Hot Chocolate
Ah the sweet, foaming taste of chocolate that warms you from the inside. You can use your everyday mix if you’d like, or get a different flavor pack for each member to try. We love the Land O’ Lakes mixes (caramel is my favorite).
If you’re looking for something a little different, try a hot chocolate topping bar. Some ideas for the toppings are cinnamon sticks, extra marshmallows, whip cream, candy canes, sprinkles, caramel sauce, peppermint paddies, and chocolate chips in different flavors. Anything that you can think of that would go in hot chocolate is fair game.
Tweens and teens might like to make the bar into a completion of sorts. Master Hot Chocolate Maker. You could see who can make the best tasting, the best looking or the most interesting.
Popcorn
Perfect for gathering around either the TV or the game table. An easy, yummy tradition for sure. To make it more festive, you can get some fun holiday popcorn boxes.
Christmas Eve Candy
Classic candy canes are always a hit. Some other Christmas candy would be nice too. Here at Family Game Shelf, we love these Grinch Kisses.
Gingerbread Kit
Depending on the age of your kids and the amount of time you have, you could put in a gingerbread house kit. Teens might like a friendly competition or a theme to build on. (My kids did this every year with my mother and now that she’s no longer with us it’s a cherished memory.)
If cookie houses are too messy or time consuming, you can print out our fun Gingerbread activity sheets full of mazes, crack the coeds and word searches. You can see the sheets here.
Reindeer Food
If you have younger kids, you could either include the ingredients for Reindeer Food for them to mix together or have a bag premixed Reindeer Food for them to sprinkle outside after dark.
What to Put in Your Christmas Eve Box: Entertainment
A Christmas Book
Is there anything better than when a child snuggles up beside you to read a book? And there are so many Christmas books to choose from. The classics How the Grinch Stole Christmas and T’was the Night Before Christmas are top choices in our house.
This doesn’t have to be a new book. In fact, kids love reading the same book over and over again. It adds to the tradition if it’s the same book every year. Or mix it up and rotate a few favorites.
You could also put more than one book in if you’re family loves books like mine does or if you can’t decide. There are so many cute, sweet Christmas books out there, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one for you.
Christmas Movie
Get everyone gathered on the couch and watch a Christmas movie. Again, there are so many to choose from there’s sure to be something that everyone can agree on. And just like the book, you can rotate between favorites, find a new one each year or watch the same one each year. Our family has watched Barbie in the Nutcracker for years and when we tried to mix it up, the kids asked to go back to Barbie. (The Barbie movies are surprisingly good, I have to say.)
And speaking of Christmas movies, have you seen our Hallmark Christmas movie bingo and party? These are a must in our house. We look forward to them each year.
Photo Props
Kids love to take funny photos. Add in some fun Christmas Photo props to make them extra fun. Not only is this fun, but you’ll have lasting photo evidence of the fun. Don’t forget to print some at a later date. Having photos on display makes children feel connected and belong and helps to remember that everyone loves everyone in the family.
Escape Room in a Book
We have tons of escape room kits for Christmas in our Family Game Shelf. There’s where kids save the Nutcracker, The Christmas Elves, Reindeer, Snowmen, Gingerbread and Santa’s Cookies. We also have a 12 Days of Christmas. These are great not only to keep the kids busy, but also as a co-operative activity that you can play as a family. Check them out here.
What to Put in Your Christmas Eve Box: Games
Nothing bonds a family together like playing games together. And here’s a list of some great games to play on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Scattergroies
All things Christmas. You can get your free copy in the Fun Library. You can get your password in the black box below.
Christmas Shenanigans
This fun card game is a kid favorite. The face cards have fun Christmas actions that need to be done before you can claim the center pile. For full instructions, read the post here.
Reindeer Dice Games
This collection of 11 different, reindeer themed dice games are fun, easy to learn and fun to play. Get yours here.
Christmas Trivia
Learn about Christmas from around the world, remember classic entrainment and share your knowledge of Christmas traditions. See the full review here.
Christmas 5 Second Game
You only have five seconds to list three things in the category on the card. Harder than it seems. You can check it out here.
Grinch Dice
Don’t be a Grinch in this easy dice game or you’ll end up losing all of your points. Get the full rules here.
Santa Uno
Turn the classic card game into a funny Christmas tradition with these extra rules. Read all about it here.
Santa’s Sleigh Dice Game
Be the first to fill your sleigh with presents, but you’ll have to gather a sled, a Santa and an elf before loading. Get the full game rules here.
Polar Express
The movie comes to life with this unique board game. You can read the review here.
Candy Canes
This is another kid favorite card game. Players pass cards trying to match all four, but really they need to keep their eyes on the candy canes in the middle and not be the last to grab one. Get the rules here.
What to Put in Your Christmas Eve Box: Traditions
Family Memory Book
This doubles as an activity and a keepsake. To make your family Christmas memory book, all you need is a simple binder. You can decorate the cover or keep it simple, which ever one you like. Next, each person fills out a sheet of paper that answers what they’ve asked for that Christmas, what they like most about Christmas, what they’re the most thankful for, who they helped or how they helped this year, and a favorite Christmas memory. You can add in any other questions you’d like. Be sure to date year sheet. When everyone is done, put them in the binder so that they can be looked over year after year. You might want to add a family photo to the binder, especially the ones you took with the props.
You can get our Christmas Eve Family Memory pages here to make it easy.
Christmas PJs
If your family tradition already includes new Christmas pajamas, then you can add them to the box. Or you could add some Christmassy socks to wear. They even have matching socks for the family. How cute.
Santa Plate and Mug
If you leave out milk and cookies for Santa, put the plate and mug in the box. They have some nice sets here. Even my teens still like to do this.
Santa Key
As a child, I questioned how Santa got into our house even though we didn’t have a fire place. I was told he came in through the wood stove, but I like the Santa Key idea instead. A special key that only Santa can use? That’s magic! You can get one here. Or you could decorate an old key and put it on a ribbon.
The Box
Anything can be used as the box itself. You could get a decorative Christmas box from the dollar store or Amazon or warp a cardboard box in Christmas paper. Or you could get a wooden box (you could also get a wooden personalized one from a place like Etsy). You could also get a plain box and have the first activity be to decorate it for all the following years to come. One benefit of a sturdy box is that it gives you a great storage place for some of the Christmas tradition items (that way you’ll know that they’re in the Christmas Eve box).
It’s All in the Box
Whatever you put in your Christmas Eve box, we hope you fill in with fun, memory-making things that will bring your family together and fill your heart with love for years to come. Let us know what you put in your box this year in the comments below.
Be the first to reply