Christmas Eve might just be the most magical night of the year. The stockings are hung, the carrot's out for the reindeer and nobody (grown-ups included) can quite settle down. A Christmas Eve box is a lovely way to channel all that excitement. It's a small box of cosy treats to open on the 24th that helps little ones wind down, and it starts a tradition the whole family will look forward to.
Here at Cotton and Twigg, we're a small family business printing personalised children's clothing, mugs and cards in our Essex studio. Here are our favourite ideas for filling a Christmas Eve box, from personalised keepsakes to simple bits you've probably already got at home.
What is a Christmas Eve box?
A Christmas Eve box is a bit like a mini present for the night before Christmas. Some families say it's delivered by the elves, others simply leave it at the foot of the bed or under the tree. It's usually filled with things for a cosy evening in: something to wear, something to drink, something to read or watch, and a little bit of festive magic.
There are no rules, and that's the joy of it. It can be as simple or as special as you like. Adding a child's name to a few items turns it into something they'll want to keep, and even reuse year after year.
1. A personalised hot chocolate mug
A warm drink before bed is a Christmas Eve must in lots of homes. Our personalised snowman Christmas mug is printed with your child's name. It's an 11oz porcelain mug that comes with a red rim and handle or in plain white, and it's dishwasher safe. You can order the mug, a matching coaster, or both.
Pop in a sachet of hot chocolate and a handful of mini marshmallows, and you've got the centrepiece of the box sorted.
2. Something festive to wear
A new top to wear on Christmas Eve, then again on Christmas morning for photos, is always a winner. Our personalised Christmas tees and sweatshirts are printed directly onto the garment (no vinyl to peel or crack), so they can be worn again and again:
- The Elf Believes Christmas T-shirt or sweatshirt: an elf perched on a stack of presents above your child's name and the word "BELIEVES". It's perfect for the night Father Christmas comes.
- The Gingerbread House Christmas T-shirt and sweatshirt, with the child's name printed in the artwork. There's also a pink gingerbread house version.
- The Father Christmas Party vest and T-shirt, which comes in baby vest sizes from 0–3 months as well as kids' T-shirts. It's ideal if you're putting together boxes for siblings of different ages.
Our sweatshirts are £14.99. If your Christmas Eve box already includes new pyjamas, a T-shirt makes a lovely layer to wear on top.
3. A personalised card from Father Christmas (or the elves)
Kids love getting post, and a card with their own name on it feels very official. Our personalised Father Christmas card features Santa and one of his reindeer. It's left blank inside, so you can write a note "from the North Pole" thanking them for being good all year.
For older children who've picked up a certain playground phrase, the Six Seven Santa Christmas card is guaranteed to get a giggle. All of our cards are £2.95 and are sent in a sturdy hard-backed envelope.
4. Line (or wrap) the box with personalised paper
A plain shoebox becomes something magical once it's wrapped in festive paper. Line the box, wrap the lid, or wrap each item inside so there's more to open. Our Kids Santa Christmas wrapping paper and Santa and Reindeer wrapping paper both make the box look like it's come straight from Santa's workshop. You'll find even more designs in our wrapping paper collection.
5. Simple extras you probably already have
Not everything needs to be bought new. Some of our favourite Christmas Eve box fillers cost very little:
- A Christmas storybook to read together before bed. An old favourite brought down from the loft counts!
- A festive film and a bag of popcorn for a family film night.
- Reindeer food made from porridge oats in a little paper bag. Skip the glitter so it's kind to birds and wildlife.
- A torch for "looking out for Santa's sleigh" from the bedroom window.
- Cosy socks or slippers to keep toes warm while they wait.
- A letter to Father Christmas template and a few crayons.
Christmas Eve box ideas by age
- Babies and toddlers: a Father Christmas Party vest, a soft board book and a sheet of personalised paper to crinkle.
- Ages 3–7: an Elf Believes or Gingerbread House top, the snowman mug with hot chocolate, reindeer food and a card from Father Christmas.
- Older kids: a sweatshirt they'll actually want to wear, a Christmas film, snacks and the Six Seven Santa card for a laugh.
Shopping for a family that seems to have everything already? Our guide to choosing personalised gifts for people who have everything is full of ideas. And if you love building family traditions, take a look at personalised gifts for families with young children.
Plan ahead for a stress-free Christmas Eve
Because every item is personalised and printed to order, we recommend putting your Christmas Eve box together early. Each order is made and dispatched within 1–3 working days. If you need something by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. Our personalisation guide has tips on getting names and wording just right.
Frequently asked questions
When should you give a Christmas Eve box? Most families give it in the late afternoon or early evening on 24 December, so there's time to enjoy the treats and still get the children to bed before Father Christmas arrives.
What size box do I need? Any sturdy box will do. A shoebox or gift box works well for a mug, a folded top and a few small extras.
Is the snowman mug dishwasher safe? Yes. It's an 11oz porcelain mug and it's dishwasher safe.
Can I order matching tops for siblings? Yes. Each top is personalised with its own name, and designs like the Father Christmas Party range come in both baby vest and children's T-shirt sizes.
How quickly do you dispatch? Everything is made to order and dispatched within 1–3 working days.