What Is a Christmas Eve Gift? The Christmas Eve Box Idea
A Christmas Eve gift, often called a Christmas Eve box, is a small present opened on the night before Christmas to make the evening feel special and help children settle before the big day. It usually holds new pajamas, a Christmas book or movie, a snack or hot chocolate, and sometimes treats to leave out for Santa. It is a fairly new family tradition, and you can make one for any age.
What is a Christmas Eve box?
Better Homes and Gardens Australia describes it as a gift parents give children in anticipation of Christmas Day. It can be as simple as a cardboard box with pajamas and a book, or as elaborate as a custom wooden chest that is brought out every year. The idea is less about the contents and more about the ritual: a cozy evening, a calm bedtime and a little excitement before the morning.
Where does the Christmas Eve gift tradition come from?
Nobody knows exactly. Better Homes and Gardens says it is believed to come from the German tradition of opening presents on the evening before Christmas. In Germany and several other European countries, the main gifts are opened on Christmas Eve. The modern Christmas Eve box, with its themed contents, is a much newer custom that has become popular in recent years.
Many American families have a related habit of letting everyone open one gift on Christmas Eve, very often a new pair of pajamas to wear that night and in Christmas morning photos.
What goes in a Christmas Eve box?
Pick a few items that build toward a calm, cozy night. Common ideas, several of which Better Homes and Gardens lists:
- Pajamas, for the night and for Christmas morning photos
- A Christmas book to read at bedtime
- A Christmas movie and a snack such as popcorn
- Hot chocolate mix and a mug
- Slippers or warm socks
- A soft toy for younger children
- Cookies and a carrot to leave out for Santa and the reindeer
- A small ornament to hang on the tree before bed
Christmas Eve box ideas for toddlers
Keep it simple: pajamas, a board book, a soft toy and a favorite snack. Skip small parts for children under three, and anything sugary close to bedtime if you want them to sleep.
Christmas Eve box ideas for older kids and teens
Teens often appreciate fun lounge pants, fuzzy socks, a face mask, a favorite snack and a movie or game for the family to share that night.
Christmas Eve box ideas for adults and couples
A Christmas Eve box is not just for children. For a partner or a household of adults, try matching pajamas, a bottle of wine or a special drink, a board game or puzzle, candles and a favorite Christmas film.
How to put a Christmas Eve box together
- Choose the box. A sturdy gift box, basket or wooden crate you can reuse each year. A name on the lid makes it a keepsake.
- Pick a theme for the evening. Movie night, story night or a Santa preparation night, and choose items to match.
- Keep it small. Four or five items is plenty. It is a warm-up for Christmas morning, not a second Christmas.
- Decide when to give it. Most families open the box in the late afternoon or after dinner on Christmas Eve, so there is time to change into pajamas and watch the movie.
Is a Christmas Eve box the same as an Advent calendar?
No. An Advent calendar gives a small surprise each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve, while a Christmas Eve box is one gift on a single night. Some families use both, with the last door of the calendar pointing to the Christmas Eve box. Our guides to Advent calendars for toddlers and for adults have filler ideas.
Quick answers
- What is a Christmas Eve gift? A small present opened the night before Christmas, often pajamas, a book and a treat.
- Where does it come from? It is thought to be inspired by the German custom of opening presents on Christmas Eve.
- When do you give it? On Christmas Eve, usually after dinner or before bedtime.
- Is it only for kids? No. Couples and adults make them too.
From the shop
For the pajamas, the personalized Christmas pajama pants with a name are made for Christmas Eve, and the crochet Christmas bookmark set pairs well with a bedtime book. Our pajama pants guide compares the styles.