Christmas Eve box ideas

[MumOfAToddler26]

I want to do my 3.5 year old a Christmas Eve box this year but have no idea what goes in it has anyone got any nice ideas please? 😊

Pyjamas
Story book
Stocking to hang up and things to leave out for Father Christmas and his reindeer, such as reindeer food, a plate for Santa’s biscuits/mince pies etc...
Christmassy bubble bath or bath fizzer
Festive mug/cup and a sachet of hot chocolate

Think along the lines of a calming him down on Christmas Eve, so pjs, sleepy bubble bath, storybook. And then whatever rituals you follow on Christmas Eve- hanging stocking, plate for Santa, maybe a cookie mix to bake together.

All the novelty can be very exciting though so it can have the opposite effect of stimulating rather than calming them. I always give the new pjs a wash so they don’t feel stiff and scratchy, or smell funny on the one night when you’re desperate to get them asleep.

At that age I put in

PJ
Book - Pyjama elves
Bubble bath
Snack like cookies or baking kit if you'll have time
A special bauble with the year on
Reindeer dust (eco friendly)
Santa key
Magic bell
Plate and mug for Santa
Nice certificate

I think it would be a good idea to include things he can enjoy right away (like a bath fizzer, cookies or suitable sweets, maybe hot chocolate or cocoa) and things that can last longer- like warm socks or mittens or a cap.

We have used the same basis every year. We have a Christmas Eve sack for the family (well anyone staying on Christmas Eve) and it’s delivered on Christmas Eve morning then take away with the departing elf by Father Christmas that night.

It contains;
Pyjamas for all - wrapped but never labelled 🤦🏻‍♀️.
A copy of stick man to be read then returned in the bag at night.
A large bar of chocolate to make hot chocolate.
Marshmallows.
Sweets and popcorn.
A note saying what film will be showing and at what time that evening.
Eco friendly reindeer dust.

I do Dec 1st box rather than Christmas Eve and almost everything is reused each year. DS is 3.5 at Christmas.

-christmas pyjamas (secondhand from eBay or I buy in the sale the year before)
-a few Christmas books, same ones each year then a new one on Christmas Eve to add to the collection
-this year he's getting a dinosaur Santa tree decoration with his name on to go to the tree

DS has eczema so I don't use bath bombs etc, and he would be far too hyper if I gave him hot chocolate. He's always been happy with 'new' pyjamas and the books.

We have done a Christmas eve box the last few years
It has a lot of recycled stuff in it - our twas the night before xmas book, santa magic key, plate for the santa goodies
New pjs for all to wear that night, lush bath bombs for DS and DD, popcorn for xmas movie night, xmas themed DVD (though with streaming services this is no longer needed and a new mug with hot choc pods for the kids.

I think it depends what you want your CEH to achieve. For me, I want the dc to have an activity they can do independently while I prep the veg for christmas dinner, I want something we can do as a family later on, and I want something to encourage the dc to get in the bath and then settle down for bed.

So my hampers would often have a sticker book or jigsaw, a film and sweets, bath bombs or soap foam, new pjs and a bedtime book. I do vary it a bit each year though.

In our house, it's a "getting ready for bed" box. So comes out after dinner.

DD's stocking ( to lay out), her plastic Santa plate and glass (from toddler days, to put fresh baked cookies and a glass of milk out for Santa).

New PJs for everyone in the family - not necessarily Christmas patterned, just new.
Possibly some fluffy socks or slippers if someone needs them.
Lush festive bath bomb for DD and relaxing one for me (and sometimes a nice shower gel for DH)
Hot chocolate for all (we get the "lump of chocolate on a wooden spoon" style, mine sometimes has a pipette of brandy, DD's sometimes has smarties or a mix of white and milk chocs, DH's is usually dark choc) - to drink after DD's bath when wearing new cosy PJs
DD's snowman covered hot water bottle
Family copy of "Twas the Night before Christmas" book - to read in bed after hot choc and a snuggle

DD has always baked the cookies on Xmas Eve afternoon for Santa's plate - sometimes from the ingredients if we have time and energy, but every year we do a batch of those cookies earlier in December as well and I freeze half the dough so we can "slice and bake" straight from the freezer if we don't have the time and energy to do it from scratch.

And if they're not needed, they can make a lovely snack over the season or sometime in the cold winter months to cheer us all up.

We have the same Santa plate and stockings that go in each year. New cup and some hot chocolate and sweets to watch a Christmas show/movie. Ingredients to make reindeer dust (sachet of porridge and some hundreds and thousands, sugar. Any few things to mix together then scatter in the garden) mice pie and carrot also in box. New jammies.

PJs
Book/DVD
Teddy
Toiletries (toothbrush, flannel etc...)
Hot Chocolate
Gingerbeard