What’s going in your DC’s Christmas Eve box?

[Mumtobe193]

Looking for some more ideas for my DC’s Christmas Eve box.

I have all the usual stuff, Christmas book, pjs, fluffy socks etc, just wanting to get some more original ideas. Has to be fairly inexpensive and suitable for a 4 year old, my younger DC is only 8 months old so I wasn’t planning on putting in much for him, maybe just a new Christmas sleepsuit, but I’d be interested to hear if anyone had any nice little ideas for a baby.

I’m not looking to get into a debate about whether or not Christmas Eve boxes are necessary. Just wanted a light hearted chat and to potentially get some good ideas

This year we have some colouring in pictures and crayons (DS is 2.5 years) and a recipe for cookies that we shall do in the evening too and then leave out for Santa.

We also have a personalised letter from Santa

When do you give it to them? If you do it Christmas Eve morning you could add some Christmas craft stuff or baking ingredients and cookie cutters to make during the day.

A Christmas bath bomb is fun too.

We usually give it to them late afternoon, the elf (next door neighbour) leaves it on the door step when we return home from visiting family.

Love the idea of a Christmas cookie recipe and a bath bomb

If you literally need something for the baby to open so they’re not left out, you could go for a Baby’s First Christmas tree ornament or bib?

For an actual present, maybe a bath toy or something?

He already has a my first Christmas bauble which went on our tree yesterday. Bath toy is a fab idea! Just had a look online and found some Christmas themed rubber ducks. A my first Christmas bib would be good for his stocking so he can use it on Christmas Day.

I really begrudge putting anything in for my baby DS as he really won’t have a clue, just don’t want my 4 year old DD to think the elf/ Santa doesn’t like her brother haha, she’s actually really excited at the prospect of ‘helping’ him open his presents Christmas morning.

Christmas film - easily available in most supermarkets
Christmas decoration
Christmas colouring book and crayons - try The Works or similar

PJs
Hot chocolate
Baileys
Reindeer food
"Coupon" to watch Polar Express
Toothbrushes for all the sugar
Santa's magic key

I think that's mostly what I chuck in.

Could they have a shared christmas eve box? Growing up, we always had new Pjs each but a shared christmas eve box. Could the shared aspect then help with ensuring baby is included as the film is for both of them etc?

For the 4yo , it's about settling them and a nice wind down , a few nice things to do.
I used to put ours by the fireplace when we took our two out ( "I'm just going to check the back door is locked "...... while DH got them into the car)

Bath bomb
Hot chocolate sachet
Small pack of mini biscuits
PJs
An annual when they were old enough
Jar of sweets each ( I bought a Kilner jar and put their favourites in)

Your baby could have a bottle of nice bath bubbles and your older DC could 'help' ?
A bath toy or flannel?

My DC had their Hampers yesterday , we started doing Dec 1st a few years ago. DS is nearly 20 and DD is 17 , their PJs are more £ now and 'winter' ones , so they get more use .
I bought some Sainsburys white with tiny navy reindeer for DD , Primark plaid for DS .

I love the CEH, it's things you'd give them anyway , not a load of "more presents?" eyeroll . And it doesn't need to be plastic tat .

I did Reindeer Food once . I put sugar and food colour in a sealed box, shake to colour it . Once dry , added porridge oats . Some edible gold stars . Popped in a bag each , with the intention of scattering on the lawn.......it sat there , uneaten (by the reindeer or the birds) like pink vomit . I cleared it up after I realised it would just sit there .

Tea lights (either candle or battery candles) in old jars lining the path (to guide the sleigh)

If the Space Station orbits that is lovely ( it is silent , with lights)

And the tray for Father Christmas . DD had a tea set from Ikea ( tiny cups,plates,tea pot , milk jug , sugar bowl and spoons)
She made toast , with jam and the tea pot was 'magic' so kept it hot . (Of course I had to take a bite and use the cups before bedtime) . Our reindeer liked pistachio nuts rather than carrots

Lovely ideas 😊

I think our reindeer would prefer pistachio nuts to carrots too

I bake gingerbread men then put 4 (one each for me, DH and the DC) in the Christmas eve box along with some icing pens. Then we decorate our biscuits and eat them while we watch Muppets Christmas Carol - which is also in the box!

I used to put stockings and Santa's plate in there.
Gingerbread house kit which DH made with the kids while I was sorting last minute things
Christmas activity book- look somewhere like Card Factory.

DD (6)-
Pyjamas
Book (Madeline's Christmas)
A Christmassy colouring book
Bed socks
A Frozen 2 themed ornament for the tree
A Beanie Boo (she collects them and gets a new one every year on Christmas Eve)

DS (1)-
Pyjamas
Slippers
An In the Night Garden Christmas book
A Santa rubber duck for in the bath
A personalised tree ornament (DD will have to hang it for him though)

Dd (3)
Santa key
Reindeer food (animal friendly)
Book - same one every year it’s a limited edition
PJ and slippers

I’m loving the bubbles for her bath; and colouring bits I might pop them in this year to try and get her settled earlier

We will put in:

Onesies and slippers (we don't always, but the dc need new ones).
Initial mugs.
Something for the bath, probably sprudels and maybe soap foam.
Sweets and a bottle of fizzy pop each.
Jingle bum game.
Their stockings (not new)
Night Before Xmas book (not new).

I've stopped putting in a film as we get them on Netflix.

Most of it is the same as the first year we did it (when DS was 2)
Stocking (empty)
Muppets Christmas Carol
Night Before Christmas book
Tiny toy mouse (to go with the book)
Christmas duvet cover
Then I add a bath bomb and either a new onesie / dressing gown / pyjamas.

He has a bath, puts in his new pyjamas / onesie/
Dressing gown and we snuggle on the sofa and watch the DVD. Then up to bed, hang up the stocking, read the book, and then lights out.

DS is 9

DC are 11/9/4 and get the box in the morning.

We have:

PJs
Christmas book
Christmas crafts
Christmas baking
LUSH Fun/bath bomb/bubble wand
Socks
Flashing Christmas necklaces from The Works
New mug each
Hot chocolate

My DS's (19 months) box has a Santa/reindeer treat board and a milk bottle with a straw for Santa
A wonderbly Christmas book
Happyland Christmas figures
Tartan/check pyjamas
A reindeer puppet,
Santa key,
Christmas DVD
And chocolate coins

Bought most of it last year and plan to reuse 90% of it. He'll get a new set of pyjamas, a new DVD and chocolate each year. The rest will stay the same until he outgrows it then I'll replace with crafty stuff to keep him busy 😊

Reindeer puppet is a lovely idea, my DS would love that!

Ours is a bedtime version. And DD has always known that I make it, no Elves are involved (lots of things are reused year after year).

New:
PJs for everyone, perhaps fluffy socks or slippers if useful
Lush bath bombs for DD and I (and usually a nice manly shower gel for DH)
The "lump of chocolate on a wooden spoon" type of hot chocolate for us all
A Christmas craft beer for DH (he likes craft beers) - sometimes a seasonal snack for DD and DH to enjoy together (like Spanish dried broad beans)

Reused:
DD's stocking
DD's plastic Santa plate and glass
Snowman covered hot water bottle
Family edition of "Twas the Night before Christmas"

DD lays out her stocking, and Santa/Reindeer's snack
She goes for her festive bath and into new PJs, then back down for hot choc together on the couch
Then I fill her HWB and snuggle her up in bed, reading TTNBC and possibly another story, before leaving her to sleep

Even at 13yo last Christmas Eve, she wanted the book (having grown out of bedtime stories quite a few years ago - but Christmas Eve is special, apparently!! )

The plate, glass and HWB are all many years old, and mostly get well used during December (crockery) or all winter (HWB) still - they just get put together with everything else as part of the "going to bed on this magical night" package because DD really likes that tradition. The book may be read again a few times before going away with the decorations around 6th Jan, but it is the one Christmas book that is not read before 24th Dec!

Fluffy Pyjamas
Dressing gown
Slippers
Bath bomb

My little boys gets left by the elf on Christmas Eve morning. This year he has got some olaf pyjamas, a lovely Olaf fleece blanket and an Olaf chocolate 😊

I put in for DS (9) & DD (5)
Christmas stockings- ready to hang up
Christmas film - this year it’ll be Abominable - (ok not an actual Christmas film but one they’ll love to see)
Popcorn
Reindeer food to sprinkle outside
Hot chocolate cones
A small Christmas craft

I don’t usually add pj’s but they both need a pair so will include them this year

The box will be left by our elves when they go back to the north pole

I always include one of those gingerbread houses you can build and decorate. Really cheap and they’re a great distraction. Last year we left it out for Father Christmas and in the morning it was gone!

For my 7 year old - Christmas pyjamas, mug, cookies and hot chocolate.
He has loads of Christmas DVDs, books, colouring books and fluffy socks from previous boxes so I'm not getting new ones this year.