Christmas Eve boxes for older teens

[secondhoneymoon]

Didn't ever do Christmas Eve boxes when the children were little, introduced last year when trying to do something a bit different and they went down surprisingly well - have been asked to do the same again this year - but would like to add some different things.
Plus only did for girls last year, might need to add for 20 year old boy which complicates things a bit
Last year they had Christmas PJs, undies & socks; Christmas earrings: small bottle of Prosecco; Christmas scented toiletries, Christmas scrunchie, DVD. For the male I can add Chrostmas beer, and can get male versions of the clothing items but the little extras such as earrings, scrunchies and toiletries will be hard to replace. Plus would like something different for the girls. We already have Christmas mugs and glasses. And yes, I know it's early but for various reasons will have very little spare time closer to Christmas so want to at least do the thinking now if not the buying. (Should add they also have stockings on Christmas morning, 'it wouldn't be Christmas without it' apparently so for Christmas Eve, looking mainly for Christmassy items. But stocking suggestions also welcome beyond usual smellies, books, etc thank you

My DC (will be 17 and 14.6) have had CEH for years , and stockings and presents.

The stockings to keep them busy when they woke up at 5am ( wrapped with loads of Sellotape)
The CEH as a wind down for over excited DC on Christmas Eve.
It's not overkill, it just spreads it out a bit.

Now they're teens, their presents are tiny and £££. DS usually gets money and XBox Games (so some money notes in a tiny box and a reciept for his downloads in another tiny box)
DD is getting into more expensive clothes/make-up so a £15 Urban Decay lipstick takes up much less wrapping than £15 of MUA.

But its what they want that counts (yes they still do lists )

CEH-
PJs (DD has Christmas PJs and Winter ones)
DS has tartan or check
Bathrobe if they need a new one anyway
Christmas underwear (M&S do nice ones) DD wears hers all year

Jar of sweets (one of the Kilner Jars )
Annual or book
BathBomb or similar
Facemask for DD
One of those Lindt chocolate packs with the 5 little reindeer or teddy bears

Stockings:
Selection box
Underwear (Victoria Secret Pink for DD, M&S Autograph for DS)
Showergel
Flannel or showerpuff
I always buy a teddybear for DD (you're never too old for a TeddyBear ) but it has to be one that catches my eye. They're always tiny ones.

Hawkins Bazaar sell nifty Stocking Fillers and last year I found a website called Wicked Uncle which is worth a look (the name makes me )

What about Christmas themed photo booth props, that would make a fun Xmas eve activity. I think with older lads I would go down the edible route, maybe things they like that you don't get often because they're the only one that likes it! (Weird flavoured crisps, nuts etc)

I only started Christmas Eve hampers last year and they were a great hit with Dd(16) and DS (19).
I left it to be found when we got back from Mass and so it contained nice evening treats. I put in chocolate stirring spoons, a jar of mini marshmallows (I tipped a pack into a Kilmer jar and added a nice Christmas ribbon), Christmas fleece blankets for snuggling on the sofa, new Christmas/winter pjs and fluffy festive bed socks.It wasn't elaborate or expensive. This year I will probably add some nice biscuits or something to nibble.
We then all read 'Twas the Night before Christmas' as we have since DS was a few months old.

Colouring book and decent set of pens/pencils? Every year for as long as I can remember me & my dsis's would always get these, even now in our late 20's/30's we still get them as its a kind of "tradition" for us although now as the years go on we've advanced onto the adult style colouring books. I personally find they can be quite therapeutic.

I love this!! I love hearing about all the different traditions and all the lovely thoughtful gift people buy for their loved ones! I'm so excited for Christmas this year as my DS is that bit older and starting to know a bit more and it will be my DDs first Christmas! I've spent the last few days looks up ideas and writing lists of what to put in their Christmas Eve boxes. I don't think it needs to be expensive just a few little gifts/treats that add to the excitement. When I was growing up we always opened one present on Christmas Eve and usually it was new pjs to wear that night. I still ask my DM to get me pjs cause it's just tradition now !

Fantastic list there Biddypop

Christmas PJs
Spicy bath gel (ginger and clementine from Waitrose is good)
Christmas beer
A Christmassy film or box set of something happy to watch on Christmas Eve
Hot Chocolate and a mug
A box of chocolates or biscuits
A miniature brandy or whisky

If 20 year old will be going out with mates on Christmas Eve you could add a Christmas tee shirt or jumper and Santa hat or Rudolph antlers (if they do that sort of thing).

That's amazing biddypop!thanks!

Thanks for more great suggestions!

A Christmas dvd and some chocolate/sweets.our DS is 5yo this Christmas. He'll also have stocking, yree gifts and something from the 3 Kings on 6th January.

I am writing that big list down in my Christmas file for future reference though, thanks!

We have always done a Christmas eve hamper, stocking and main gift from father Christmas then tree presents.
Hamper is left by the elves for waking up on Christmas eve. It contains new PJ's for everyone (including dh and I), bath bombs from lush, a bottle of port, hot chocolate, marshmallows, cookies, a copy of stick man, a copy of Santa comes to (insert town) and tickets to either the panto or the cinema and a note telling us where the elves have made us late lunch reservations at!

I love this thread so much. Have a 15 and 21 yr old so lots of brill ideas for stocking fillers and ceb here. Thanks all!

Biddypop - you are fab! Thanks for that list. DS is 15 and I struggle with stocking gifts.

He doesn't even wear pjs anymore! And has expensive tastes in smellies - Hollister mainly.

Biddypop that's an awesome list! I love some of the ideas on here.

IsitGin, I love the idea of the elves making Christmas Eve plans for you all - how thoughtful!

We used to be allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve after Mass that would normally be jammies too. Now I set aside a day for myself in December to buy my Christmas jammies and a Christmas DVD and a festive hot choc and generally feel all Christmassy, I suppose I'm doing my own Christmas Eve Box of sorts, just on a random day in December!

For the new jammies - do you wash them beforehand or give them and wear them as new? I'm always a bit about unwashed jammies and underwear.