What Goes Into A Christmas Box?

The day before Christmas is full of excitement, whether you are anticipating when the turkey will cook, what gifts Father Christmas will bring, or what colour Aunt Enid’s knitted gift will be, means a time of reuniting with loved ones for the festive period.

Christmas is a time filled with traditions and history which are passed through generations without anyone knowing why; a more recent tradition is the Christmas Eve box.

What is a Christmas Box?

There is no single starting point for the Christmas Eve box but if you look at other countries, and even some English traditions, it is easy to see where the idea started and why it is growing in popularity.

In many countries across Europe, Christmas Eve is the focus of the seasonal festivities where families spend time together enjoying lavish meals and gifting presents all before Christmas day, read our Christmas Traditions article to find out about how different countries celebrate Christmas.

In England a wicker basket, or hamper, filled with treats has been a tradition for centuries and formed part of the charitable role of wealthy families supporting less fortunate families with a hamper filled with essentials and a few luxury treats. Hampers were also popular gifts for staff and were given on Boxing Day as a gift of appreciation, a tradition that continues today in some businesses.

UK Service personnel who are serving away from home also receive a Christmas box inspired by a tradition started in 1914 by Princess Mary, where troops were sent beautifully engraved tin boxes containing small treats from home to raise their spirits.

Some people feel the Christmas Eve box is a natural extension of the advent calendar which often ends on Christmas Eve morning, this special box is a way for families to continue the magical build-up of excitement for Christmas Day and often contains snuggly pyjamas, a Christmas move, small gifts and treats to share.

What Goes into A Christmas Box?

A Christmas box can be whatever you want to make it, the fun is to make it personalised for both the gift giver and receiver.

Start with the box itself, you can find many variations for the Christmas Eve Box from pre-printed boxes with favourite characters to creating your own crafted box out of a shoe box, the key is to have a box or bag to hold all the treats together.

Top Christmas Box Gift Ideas

Festive Pyjamas

A top choice for many people is to include a snuggly pair of Christmas pj’s or a onesie featuring a favourite character like Barbie or Peppa Pig. Another option is for everyone in the family to get a matching set – you can even get a set for your pets for that wholesome family bonding moment! While pyjamas are great for everyday use, they also make for great family Christmas pictures and if pyjamas aren’t quite the thing for you, another option is Christmas slippers or socks – anything for that warm cosy feeling.

Sweet Treats

Getting a little treat in a Christmas box is a must and is a great opportunity to create your signature biscuit, see the BBC’s Great Food Guide for a fool proof recipe or to encourage a new hobby by including ingredients and instructions for a future bake-off session. An alternative sweet treat may be a Hot Chocolate mug!

Festive Films

Christmas Eve wouldn’t be the same without a festive film on the TV. Choose from a recent classic or a golden oldie, there’s so many family friendly films. A few top picks include:

• Home Alone (1990)
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
• Elf (2003)
• The Polar Express (2004)
• The Grinch (2018)

Christmas Books

With many wonderful books featuring Christmas themes, this is a sure hit to include, the chance to take time to read a Christmas book together is a great way to create your own Christmas traditions.

Board Games or Card Games

Gathering around board games and card games during the Christmas season adds a touch of togetherness and timeless joy. These games effortlessly create a festive atmosphere, fostering laughter, friendly competition, and cherished moments with friends and family.

Craft Sets

Transform the holiday season into a canvas of imagination with arts and crafts. These arts and crafts sets make for a thoughtful and personalised experience while creating handmade projects. Have a look at bath bombs and soap making, loom bands, or sewing and turn these moments into masterpieces that capture the essence of Christmas.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Enjoy the charm of Christmas by gathering around a jigsaw puzzle – a timeless holiday activity that brings everyone together. Help promote cognitive thinking and teamwork with an easy kids puzzle, or large family puzzle.

Summary

In summary, Christmas boxes aren’t just containers, they are repositories of joy, warmth, and the beauty of giving. These gifts make the holiday season extra special, expressing generosity, thoughtfulness, and the sheer delight of sharing the magic of Christmas. Have a read of our article Things to Do On Christmas Eve for more Santa-approved ideas and check out our Christmas toys for an extra special gift this season.

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