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 suggestions:
🎁 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 (depending on Covid guidelines at the time of course).
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.
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.
Shop Local for Bespoke Christmas Eve Boxes
The Canny Craft Lass
📌 Washington, Sunderland
👉 £10. Available in plain wood or painted red or grey. Filled box available for £15, with personalised milk bottle & straw, magic key, activity book, Christmas puzzle book, colouring book, pencils, reindeer dust, hot chocolate cone or milkshake cone, sweet cone, chocolate lolly and bubble wand.
Cheekee Cards & Parties
📌 South Shields. South Tyneside
👉 £15. Message here or call 0191 4546007.
Corbetts Creations and Gift
📌 Low Fell, Gateshead
👉 £20. Three designs to choose from, Reindeer Head, Santa flying over the rooftops or I Believe Box.
🌟 Special offer: Filled Boxes containing a magic bell, key, reindeer dust, plate, cup, Santa heart, letter and nice list certificate all for just £35!!
Hayley’s Handmade Haven
📌 Lobley Hill, Gateshead
👉 £8 each, order on Etsy. Made with study cardboard, these fold down so can be easily stored for future Christmas’s. 30cm x 21cm x 15cm (12” x 8.3” x 6”).
Heart Strings
📌 Northumberland
👉 £15. 25cm x 20cm x 10cm. Message here to order.
JajoUK
📌 Morpeth, Northumberland
👉 From £34.95. Order here. 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 approx.
JT Workshop
📌 Jarrow, South Tyneside
👉 £19.99, solid wooden boxes with hinged lid and a locking clasp on the front. Last date for orders 5th December.
Personalised Word Pictures
📌 Hebburn, South Tyneside
👉 £12. Various designs available, including special 2020 lockdown design.
Shaw’s Budget Wedding And Party Supplies
📌 Castleside, Co Durham
👉£15. 6 designs available. 25 x 20 x 10cm.
Summers Surprises
📌 Northumberland
👉 £10, or £20 filled with a personalised range of 7 cute little treats. £5 for additional activity pack, letter from Santa, story book and selection box.
Walker’s Interiors
📌 Gateshead
👉£10. Build and decorate your own Christmas Eve box. 30cm X 20cm X 10cm
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, with Local Walks Away from the Crowds, Afternoon Tea Deliveries, and hundreds of ideas for Keeping Kids Busy at Home.
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