How to Create a Christmas Eve Box

Get the holiday season off to a good start by preparing the ultimate Christmas Eve box for kids

Cosy nights at home, snuggled up on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate in hand – winter's not so bad. And besides, there's the anticipation of Christmas Eve, the most exciting night of the year. Cue the Christmas Eve box – a fun new tradition that provides kids with a little pre-Christmas Day treat. It also allows the whole family to sit back and relax before the big day. Here's how to create an extra special Christmas Eve box...

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Start with the box!

However simple it may be, a box of the right size is essential (it needs to be big enough to hold a sachet of hot chocolate, some pyjamas or onesie, and a few little trinkets). If you can find a box around the house (plain cardboard is perfect), get creative by covering the box with wrapping paper, bows, or festive stickers.

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Make it individual

The big gifts come on Christmas Day so keep it simple with cute yuletide-themed accessories. This year we have plenty of little gifts to delight them on the night before Christmas including enamel hair bows, festive headbands and a super special Gingerbread Christmas Eve Suitcase. Take your pick from our inspiring selection of gifts for kids. Smiles guaranteed!

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Now add hot chocolate

A Christmas Eve box isn’t complete without a cup, some cocoa powder and a few marshmallows. Throw in a few festive napkins to help with sticky little hands. Once you've filled your box, place it under the tree and let the kids delight in opening it on Dec 24 before the ritual of sitting down to watch a festive movie.

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Choose a Christmas movie

If you've been organised enough to get all the presents wrapped on time, you get to kick back, sit down, and enjoy the moment too. There are dozens of great Christmas movies, but which one to settle down and watch? Here are six classic holiday movies with universal appeal that everyone should enjoy. Relish the moment!

• Elf – Released in 2003, this modern classic tells the story of Buddy the elf who travels from the North Pole to New York. Rated PG

• Home Alone – The tale of 8-year-old Kevin McCallister getting left behind when his family go away for Christmas and fends off two hapless burglars never gets old. Rated PG.

• The Snowman – Written by acclaimed children’s writer Raymond Briggs, this magical and moving cartoon film was originally released in 1984 and features an introduction by none other than David Bowie. Rated U.

• Klaus – This beautifully illustrated animation and heartwarming tale make this 2019 film a winner with kids and parents alike. Rated PG.

• The Christmas Chronicles – Kate and Teddy Pierce plan to catch Santa Claus (played by Kurt Russell) on Christmas Eve. When their plan goes wrong, they join forces with Saint Nick and his elves to save the holiday. Rated PG.

• The Holiday – This 2006 super-festive love story starring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, a palatial LA home and cosy UK cottage house-swap, never gets tired. Rated PG.

Read our feature on The Top Ten Festive Movies for more inspiration.

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