The Christmas Eve Box is becoming an increasingly popular tradition. It’s a nice way to kick off the festive season, or to keep little ones occupied on Christmas Eve and share in some family fun. There are many ways to tailor the tradition to suit your family, and all ages and budgets.
As well as a few ideas to get started, you can find handy links below for gorgeous 👇personalised Christmas Eve boxes available from North East businesses👇 – many also offer a range of festive items, so you may be able to stock up on a few gifts & supplies as well!
When & How?
You don’t have to stick to Christmas Eve, many people celebrate the start of the festive season with goodies that can be used throughout December, then re-fill on Christmas Eve. If you prefer to keep it specially for Christmas Eve, you could open it in the morning and spread out activities throughout the day, or could save it for the evening and fill with cosy treats. Whatever you decide, you can make a fun tradition out of giving the box. Here are a few fun suggestions from parents:
🎁 Delivered by your Elf on the Shelf when they first arrive, or left by your Elf as a parting gift.
🎁 Left under the tree to find as a surprise.
🎁 Hidden with a few clues to hunt down and find.
🎁 A family member knocks on the door or rings a bell then hides!
🎁 A special visit from a dressed up Santa/Elf.
The Box
The ‘box’ can be something as simple as a special gift bag, drawstring bag or a shoe box with festive wrapping. A range of inexpensive boxes can be found at supermarkets and bargain shops, or you can use the links below to help find a special bespoke box. You might like for each family member to have their own box, or to have one large family box/crate.
The Contents
You can keep it simple with a few small toys, games and treats. Things that keep the kids busy and that bring the family together are favourites. There’s no need to renew everything each year, there may be some things that can be used again and form part of your tradition and memories. There are plenty of popular suggestions below to help with choosing a few ideas:
Christmas-themed
🎅 mince pie & milk for Santa
🎅 carrot for reindeer
🎅 reindeer dust & torch (to help spread the dust outside)
🎅 stockings to hang up
🎅 new bauble for the tree / other decoration
🎅 Believe bell (like Polar Express) or jingly bells
🎅 a magic key for Santa
🎅 a letter from Santa
🎅 elf report card
🎅 stationary to write ‘thank you notes’
Entertainment
🎨 craft activities / colouring book / puzzle book / stickers
🎨 supplies to make a Christmas decoration
🎨 Christmas-themed book & DVD
🎨 family board game / activities (snap, Twister, Pictionary, Wii games etc)
🎨 small Lego set
🎨 small toys / cuddly toy / joke toys (whoopee cushion?!)
🎨 Christmas figures (e.g. Happyland set)
🎨 wooden/plastic Christmas dinner set
🎨 bath bomb / bath toy
Food & Drink
☕ hot chocolate in Christmas-themed mug
☕ snowman soup (hot chocolate, marshmallows & candy cane to stir)
☕ chocolate coins (coin hunt optional!)
☕ ingredients to make cakes/cookies (or pre-made mix), cookie cutters
☕ cookie / gingerbread man / Christmas-themed chocs / favourite sweets
☕ popcorn for movie
Clothing
👕 fluffy or Christmas-themed socks
👕 slippers
👕 pyjamas
👕 Christmas jumper
👕 Christmas day outfit
Don’t forget to treat yourself to a ‘grown-ups’ box!!
🥳 mince pies, favourite foods & treats, alcohol!
🥳 Christmas pyjamas / jumper / clothes
🥳 bath bomb / pamper products
🥳 DVD
🥳 CD (for wrapping presents!)
Details for bespoke Christmas Eve boxes are subject to change, and some products may have limited availability. Photos for illustrative purposes only, sizes approximate.
Shop Local for Bespoke Christmas Eve Boxes
👀Look out for updated info for Christmas 2022 coming soon, but in the meantime the 2021 guide below can give a rough idea of what to look out for.
Corbetts Creations and Gift
📌 Low Fell, Gateshead
🎁 Boxes and crates of different sizes with various designs to choose from. Christmas Eve Box Fillers available, including Boxed Bells for £5.
👉 From £15. Message here for more info.
Cufflinks Galore
📌 Gateshead
🎁 Huge range of designs to choose from. As well as a personalised engraving on the top of the box, there’s the option to add a special message on the inside lid of the box. Three sizes available: Small (20 x 20 x 9cm), Medium (24 x 24 x 10cm) and Large (28 x 28 x 11cm) – plus other special edition options.
👉 From £18.99. Order online here.
Enthuzimuzzy Boutique
📌 Newcastle
🎁 Hand painted wooden boxes in a range of designs, including Harry Potter, Nightmare Before Christmas, Fantasia and more. Size 35 x 25 x 17cm. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment!
👉 From £40. Order online here.
Little Handmade Haven
📌 Lobley Hill, Gateshead
🎁 Made with study cardboard, these fold down so can be easily stored for future Christmas’s. Extra Deep – 30cm x 21cm x 15cm (many similar boxes are only 7cm deep compared to 15cm!).
👉 £8.50 each, order online here.
Love & Lollipops
📌 Newcastle
🎁 Wooden Christmas Eve crates with a rustic finish available in grey or natural wood colour. Engraved wooden boxes with ribbon available in traditional North Pole design, or the Harry Potter inspired box that comes complete with an owl post stamp and Hogwarts badge. Box size: 29 x 19 x 14cm, crate size: 31 x 23 x 15cm.
👉 From £14.99. Order online here.
JajoUK
📌 Morpeth, Northumberland
🎁 Boxes are made from solid wood with a hinged lid and metallic painted lettering, and can be painted in a range of colours or left unpainted. Ample size of 30cm x 30cm x 15cm.
👉 From £59.95. Order online here.
JT Workshop
📌 Jarrow, South Tyneside
🎁 Solid wooden boxes with hinged lid and a locking clasp on the front, complete with Santa’s lost buttons and personalised bauble. Personalised with any name, boxes measure 26cm x 26cm x 12cm.
👉 £20, message here for more info. Last date for orders 5th Dec.
**Look out for special offer – 2 boxes for £30!!**
Maxine’s Junk Drawer Crafts
📌 Co Durham
🎁 Wooden and oak crates available, and painted or stained wooden boxes with toppers or wording.
👉 Message here for more info.
Round The Twist
📌 Newcastle
🎁 Boxes available in child/adult design or dog and cat, and can be personalised with a name and a message. White vintage pine boxes have heart shaped handles and are available in small or large, and pine boxes with oval handles available in 3 sizes. Small (30 x 20 x 16cm), Medium (36 x 27 x 14cm) and Large (40 x 31 x 18.5cm).
👉 From £29.95. Order online here.
Shaw’s Budget Wedding And Party Supplies
📌 Castleside, Co Durham
🎁 Various designs available. Box measures 25 x 20 x 10cm. Limited supply, order soon to avoid disappointment!
👉 £18. Message here for more info. Last date for orders 12th Dec.
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
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