What could I put in a Christmas Eve box for an 8 year old boy having a tricky Christmas?

[NeverTwerkNaked]

I don't want a thread whether I should do a Christmas Eve box, just some fun ideas for my son who might need a bit of a boost on Christmas eve for complicated reasons. We will do things like christingle and a wintery walk etc too but I would just like to give him a bit of a treat /distraction.

(haven't done one before so not sure what works well etc!)

Chocolate or other tasty treats.
A dvd you can watch together
New pyjamas/cosy socks
A funny book or comic to read when he goes to bed.

A dvd, new pjs, a snack (treat) and some hot chocolate would go well with many but it depends what the boy would consider special really.

Usually I include;
Some Christmas pyjamas, hot chocolate, one of those gingerbread houses he can decorate (they’re always a great distraction for my son), a Christmas film on dvd, popcorn, some oats to sprinkle outside for the reindeer, cookies to leave out for Father Christmas. I give it to him at about 6pm when he would otherwise be really quite fed up waiting for the big day, after we’ve done some nice Christmassy activities out of the house we decorate the gingerbread house, then settle down to watch a film with snacks and hot chocolate before bed.

Gingerbread house is good idea!

They have them in B&M bargains or Home Bargains for £3.99 at the moment!

Thinking of what helps in our house: a mermaid sequin cushion, they're soothing to stroke and draw patterns in if you're feeling wobbly. A teddy fleece blanket in a favourite colour to curl up in. Depending on the person, one loves jigsaws, another loves cards to sort out and organise or stickers to put in a book, quiet things they can have some chill out time doing with us.

Top Trump's cards ( Hp, football etc)
Biscuit icing kit
A magazine
Colour book and pens ( Works has some great teen/preteen ones)

In mine there is the night before Xmas book (it only comes out once a year in the box then disappears again) , PJ's, hot chocolate, some kind of Xmas chocolate like a small Santa, a magic key that lets Santa in, a wee plate to leave out for Santa carrot etc. A small Santa teddy again that disappears the next day, it's just to cuddle that night

Oh thank you there are some fab ideas here!

In ours this year for DS 10yrs
Christmas pjs (will be worn all year round)
Lush bathbomb
Nightmare before Christmas DVD
Popcorn
A new lion king mug from the Disney store with a wee lion king plush in it. Hot chocolate pods for the machine.
Night before Christmas book (reused every year)
Santa key (as above)
Reindeer food oats

DD (6) will have new pyjamas, slippers, a film for us to watch together, a Christmassy colouring book and a new ornament to hang on the tree- hers is Elsa from Frozen but maybe think of something your DS is into and see if there are any related tree ornaments?

Such lovely ideas. You’re all so caring.

If you’re with Vodafone, one of their rewards at the moment is a gingerbread house kit for £2.99 postage.
I also thought a puzzle or game or something that requires some concentration or those silly “speak out” or “pie face” games could be a good distraction and a reason for a good laugh

The stuffed toy linked to the John Lewis ad is really cuddly. He might like that?

Thank you all so much these are really helping I know "stuff" can't fix what he is dealing with but if it gives him a boost on Christmas eve that will be lovely and as I have never done it before it will be a lovely surprise!

Perhaps a personal letter from you letting him how lovely he is?

A joke book...... And some reindeer poo (chocolate covered raisins)

Agree some joke stuff. What about some thing a bit naughty like sparklers, Bengal matches or some small back garden fireworks.

Ours includes pyjamas, bath bomb, hot choc, marshmallows, popcorn, sweets and a letter from Father Christmas saying he has kindly downloaded the newest grinch on to the tv.

On Etsy you can buy personalised Christmas inspired activity books, only £2 and personalised Christmas crayons for the same price.

Then maybe a fairy cake mix to make buns with you, some sweets, a new pair of pyjamas, perhaps a book. Look on Rex London, they have some small games that might be nice for your son and they are not expensive.

I'm making my youngest nieces/nephews a first of December box, simply because they will get more use out of the (excessive) amount of items I have bought.

A worry monster/worry dolls? A lovely cosy microwavable snuggly teddy/hot water bottle thingy/a journal and nice pen?

Does he still believe in FC? You can get lovely personalised letters or maybe you could write your own with some encouraging words for him.