A Christmas Eve box is a small box of cozy things children open on the night of December 24: new pajamas, a story, something to watch or play, a treat and a keepsake. These 25 Christmas Eve box ideas are sorted for toddlers, kids, tweens and teens and the whole family, with a free box planner and printable tags.
Quick answer: a good Christmas Eve box holds five things: pajamas to wear tonight, a Christmas book to read before bed, a movie or activity, a treat that’s safe for their age, and a keepsake like an ornament with the year on it. Skip glitter “reindeer food” and hard candy for toddlers.
Free printable Christmas Eve Box Planner and Tags Printable
Short on time? Grab Burt’s Bees family pajamas, The Polar Express and the Polar Express DVD to watch after reading it. That’s the classic box: pajamas, the book, then the movie.
What is a Christmas Eve box?
A Christmas Eve box is a gift box opened on the evening of December 24, filled with things for that one night: cozy pajamas, a bedtime story, a movie or game, a warm treat and often a new ornament. It gives the long wait for Christmas morning a calm, special start and gets everyone into pajamas and ready for bed.
There’s no right size. Some families use a shoebox wrapped in paper, others a sturdy red box they reuse every year.
What to put in a Christmas Eve box: the 5-slot formula
Five slots keep the box special without turning it into a second Christmas. Pick one idea from each row for the age you’re filling it for.
| Slot | Toddlers (1 to 3) | Kids (4 to 8) | Tweens and teens | Whole family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wear Cozy pajamas or socks for tonight |
Snug-fitting cotton PJs | Christmas pajamas | Fuzzy socks or a hoodie | Matching family PJs |
| Read One story to read before bed |
Lift-the-flap board book | The Polar Express | A holiday novel or comic | The Night Before Christmas |
| Watch or play Something to do together tonight |
Christmas sticker book | A Christmas movie | Or a card game | A family movie or puzzle |
| Treat A snack that's safe for their age |
Warm milk and a soft cookie | Hot cocoa mix | Hot cocoa and candy canes | A make-your-own cocoa bar |
| Keepsake Something to keep for next year |
A wooden or felt ornament | An ornament with the year | An ornament for their own tree one day | A family photo ornament |
One slot each is plenty. The fun is in opening it together and following the evening’s little plan, not in the pile.
Christmas Eve box ideas for toddlers
For one- to three-year-olds, keep it soft, sturdy and short: pajamas, a board book with flaps to lift and a cuddle on the sofa. Leave out anything small, and save the candy for when they’re older.
The Night Before Christmas (oversized padded board book)
Dear Santa: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Burt's Bees Matching Family Jammies (organic cotton)
Christmas Eve box ideas for kids
Kids aged 4 to 8 can follow a whole Christmas Eve “plan”: read the story, watch the movie, put out the cookies. Build the box around that evening.
The Polar Express
The Polar Express (DVD)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (full color)
Cupkin Christmas Sticker Book + Coloring Pages
Christmas Eve box ideas for tweens and teens
Older kids still love a Christmas Eve box if it feels grown-up. Swap the picture book and stickers for:
- Something cozy: fuzzy socks, a hoodie or soft pajama pants.
- To read: a holiday novel or a graphic novel in a series they love.
- Something to do with you: a card game for the evening.
- A treat: their favorite hot cocoa and a candy cane to stir it.
- A keepsake: an ornament for the tree they’ll have one day.
Christmas Eve box ideas for the whole family
One big box for everyone works well when children are close in age, or when grandparents are visiting.
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix with Marshmallows
Large Red Gift Box with Lid (12 x 12 x 10 in)
Add a family movie, a puzzle you’ll finish together, and a photo ornament from this year. Making your own ornaments is a lovely Christmas Eve activity too: try our DIY Christmas ornaments for kids.
For adults or couples: the same five slots work. Think cozy socks, a book, a film, good chocolate or coffee, and an ornament with the year on it.
Free Christmas Eve box ideas
Some of the best parts of the night cost nothing. Write these on a card and tuck it in the box:
- A letter to Santa, written or scribbled
- Bird-safe reindeer food (plain bird seed, no glitter)
- A flashlight walk to see the neighborhood lights
- Cookies and milk for Santa, a carrot for the reindeer
- A photo of everyone in their new pajamas
Make reindeer food bird-safe. Many reindeer food recipes add glitter, but the RSPB, the UK’s bird conservation charity, has warned families not to scatter glitter or sequins outdoors because they harm wildlife. Plain wild bird seed in a festive bag does the job.
Want more for the days before? See our advent calendar ideas for kids, these Christmas activities for toddlers and our free Christmas coloring pages.
Free printable: Christmas Eve box planner and tags
The free Christmas Eve box planner and tags is two pages you can type into or print. Page 1 plans up to three boxes using the five slots, with a budget line and a Christmas Eve night plan to tick off. The second page has four box tags to cut out and two bird-safe reindeer food labels.
Christmas Eve box safety for little ones
Christmas Eve brings candles, fireplaces and a lot of candy, so a few checks matter for the youngest.
- Hard candy and marshmallows wait until 4. The AAP’s choking prevention guide lists hard candy and marshmallows among foods to keep from children until at least age 4.
- No tiny toys for under-3s. Mini collectibles and surprise balls are usually labeled 3 and up because of small parts.
- Snug-fitting pajamas. US children’s sleepwear in sizes up to 14 must either pass the CPSC’s flammability tests or be made tight-fitting. Cotton pajamas are the tight-fitting kind, so buy their true size, not a size up.
- Candles out before bed. It’s the last item on the night plan for a reason.
Filling stockings for Christmas morning too? Our stocking stuffers for toddlers follow the same keep-it-simple idea, and our gifts for 3 year olds cover the main present.
Christmas Eve box ideas: FAQ
What usually goes in a Christmas Eve box?
Most Christmas Eve boxes hold new pajamas, a Christmas book, a movie or small activity, a treat like hot cocoa, and a keepsake such as an ornament. Everything is meant for that evening, so the night has a cozy plan before bed.
What are some unique Christmas Eve box ideas?
Try a letter to Santa kit, bird-safe reindeer food, a flashlight for a walk to see the lights, a photo ornament of everyone in their new pajamas, or a “night plan” card with the evening’s order.
What do you put in a Christmas Eve box for a toddler?
For a toddler, keep it to soft pajamas, a lift-the-flap or padded board book, warm milk and a soft cookie, and an unbreakable felt or wooden ornament. Leave out hard candy, marshmallows and tiny toys.
When do you open a Christmas Eve box?
Most families open it in the late afternoon or after dinner on December 24, so there’s time to change into the pajamas, read the book and watch the movie before bed.
How much should a Christmas Eve box cost?
There’s no set amount. A box with pajamas, a book and cocoa can stay under $30 to $40 per child, and many families reuse the same box every year.
Are there rules for a Christmas Eve box tradition?
No. There’s no official list of what goes in or how big it should be. Pick a few things your family will enjoy that night, keep the same box, and the tradition grows from there.
