The Christmas Eve box is a small gift box given to children (and increasingly adults) on Christmas Eve, containing cosy treats to enjoy before bed. It has become one of the most popular British Christmas traditions of the past decade.
The classic contents: new Christmas pyjamas, a Christmas story book, hot chocolate with marshmallows, reindeer dust, a small treat, and a note from Father Christmas. See our free Christmas Eve box checklist for the full list.
Christmas Eve is the longest night for excited children. The box gives them something to do — putting on pyjamas, reading the story, making the hot chocolate — which winds them down naturally. The ritual of 'getting ready for Father Christmas' channels the excitement productively.
Any year is the right year to start. Once it begins, it is expected every year — so make sure you are happy to continue it. The simplest version (pyjamas, book, hot chocolate) is as meaningful as the most elaborate one.