Christmas Eve Box for Toddlers {how to make the PERFECT Christmas Eve box for your toddler!}

Is there anything more magical than experiencing the joy of Christmas through the eyes of a child? Probably not! Even people who don’t really enjoy the Christmas holiday can’t help but be swept up in the excitement as they watch a child experience it. 

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Christmas Eve and Christmas day are the most anticipated days of the year in the life of a child and if you want to make them even more memorable you should consider starting a Christmas Eve box tradition for your toddler. The origins of the Christmas Eve box are thought to be from Europe, particularly Germany where the tradition is to open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas day. 

 If you have never heard of a Christmas Eve box before, it is a box for each child, or in some family’s one for each family member that is opened on Christmas Eve. The box is filled with pajamas, small treats, a Christmas movie or book, an ornament, and maybe even a letter from Santa himself. 

 Keep reading and you will find some great ideas to help you build the perfect Christmas Eve box for your toddler this year. 

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Best Personalized Christmas Eve Boxes

To make a perfect Christmas Eve Box, one must actually have a physical box. If you already have one, please continue reading. If not, here are some absolutely gorgeous boxes from Etsy that your child will be able to use for years to come.

Pre-Filled and Personalized Christmas Box

These boxes are amazing– they come with:

• Personalized Box
• Santa Letter
• Nice List Certificate
• Personalized Stuffed Elf
• Personalized Christmas Mug
• Personalized Christmas Ornament
• Santa Key
• Magical Reindeer Food
• Candy Cane

Personalized Pine Christmas Boxes

Large Dark Wood Christmas Box

Personalized Wreath Christmas Box

Best Book for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box 

The best book to include in a toddler’s Christmas Eve box will depend on what Christmas books you already have at home for them. There are many wonderful Christmas-themed books for this age group and you are sure to find one that your toddler will love.

These are all very good choices if you don’t already have them in your collection:

• The Littlest Reindeer
• Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
• The Polar Express
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Best Movie for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box 

A movie in your toddler’s Christmas Eve box can buy you a few minutes of quiet if you need to wrap a few more last-minute gifts, or you can all watch the movie together as a family right before tucking your toddler into bed for the night. 

There are many amazing Christmas movies to choose from to add to your toddler’s Christmas Eve box, but again your selection will depend upon what Christmas movies you already have at home.

Some Christmas movies that your toddler might enjoy if you don’t already have them include:

• Curious George A Very Monkey Christmas
• The Santa Clause
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• A Charlie Brown Christmas

Best Snacks for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box 

The snacks that you include in your toddler’s Christmas Eve box will likely depend on how you use it. If you want your toddler to use the box to give you a few minutes to get some last-minute holiday prep done, you might just want to include a few cookies, a single-serve bag of popcorn, or a few pre-made Christmas cookies. 

If you want to use the box differently, say you are going to watch the movie and eat the snacks together you might want to include some of the items that you would need to make and decorate Christmas cookies, popcorn balls, or hot cocoa that the whole family can enjoy. 

Best Toys for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box 

You might want to include a small toy inside of your toddler’s Christmas Eve box. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, Christmas is the next day after all. A new small toy can give them something to keep them occupied for a bit and keep them from asking to open one of the presents from under the tree. 

Pull-back cars like these can offer hours of toddler enjoyment, and they will fit well inside of a Christmas Eve box. You might also like to put a Christmas-themed stuffed animal like this one in your box, or maybe some bracelets like these so that your princess can sparkle for the big day! 

Best Christmas Ornament for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box 

Giving your toddler an ornament of their own to place on the Christmas tree makes them feel incredibly special and it is an amazing way to commemorate milestones. You can make your own ornament to include in your toddler’s Christmas Eve box, you can buy one that is already made (like a favorite character), or you can include the items that you need to make an ornament with your toddler inside of the Christmas Eve box. 

If you would like to make a Christmas ornament with your toddler you might like a kit that comes with everything that you need like this one or this one. If you would like a personalized Christmas ornament for your toddler there is a good selection of them here from princesses to superheroes. 

Best Letter From Santa for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box

You can of course write a letter to your child from Santa yourself or you can get a really cute template to fill out. If you would like something even more magical, like a letter from Santa postmarked from the North Pole, you follow the directions from the postal service to get one right here. You can also create a special letter to your child from Santa here that will be postmarked with a special stamp from the North Pole, and this company will send letters internationally as well. 

What Do You Put in a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box

The great thing about a Christmas Eve box is that you can make them as simple or elaborate as you would like. A Christmas Eve box usually has a new pair of Christmas pajamas (lots of families choose to wear matching ones for Christmas), a new Christmas movie, a book, some holiday snacks, a small toy, and a special ornament for them to place on the tree. 

If you would like your toddler’s Christmas box to have a little more in it, a personalized mug or plate is a good option. Christmas socks are also a fun choice, but if you have hardwood floors you might want to stick with those that have rubber soles on them. You know there will be some running through the house on Christmas Eve and Christmas day! You could also include a Santa hat, there is nothing cuter than a toddler in a Santa hat for holiday pictures to remember. 

What Type of Box Should You Use for a Toddler’s Christmas Eve Box

You can buy or make your toddler’s Christmas Eve box. With a few simple items from the craft store, you could make your toddler a Christmas Eve box, or you can just use a simple gift box. 

If you would like to buy a personalized box for your toddler or another member of your family you might like this one or if you would like a personalized wooden box that is likely to stand the test of time then you might like this one.  

Who Does the Christmas Eve Box Come From? 

You may be wondering who the Christmas Eve box should come from, and this is entirely up to you. You can say that the Christmas Eve box is from your elf if you have an elf on the shelf, or you can say that Santa asked the elf to give the box to your toddler. You can also tell your toddler that the Christmas Eve box is a special early Christmas gift from you. There is no wrong answer here, just go with what you are most comfortable with. 

What Can I Put in a Younger Child’s Christmas Eve Box? 

Maybe your child is not quite a toddler yet, but you still want to start the fun Christmas tradition of a Christmas Eve box with them. Here are some ideas for a Christmas Eve box for a ten-month-old, or a one-year-old that they are sure to love. 

You might want to include a Christmas-themed pop-up board book like Pop-Up Peekaboo Christmas. With younger children who are still transitioning to solid foods, you might want to keep the snacks healthy like yogurt melts, squeezable fruit and vegetable pouches, and juice boxes. Pajamas, blocks, stacking toys, a small stuffed animal, and a Christmas DVD are also excellent choices for a younger child’s Christmas Eve box. 

Should You Wrap the Presents in the Christmas Eve Box? 

You might be wondering if the gifts inside of your toddler’s Christmas Eve box should be wrapped or unwrapped. Typically, the gifts inside of the Christmas Eve box remain unwrapped, but it is entirely up to you. If you would like to wrap the presents to make the fun of opening the Christmas Eve box last a little longer, that is perfectly fine. That’s the great thing about the Christmas Eve box, you can make them and fill them however you like. 

If you are looking for something fun for your toddler to do on Christmas Eve, or you want to start a new family tradition on Christmas Eve then a Christmas Eve box may be just what you are looking for. You can make them as simple or as elaborate as you would like and no matter what you put inside of your toddler’s Christmas Eve box they are sure to love it. Does your family have a Christmas Eve box tradition or will you be starting one?  

More Christmas Ideas:

The Best Gifts for Moms (who want nothing)

Awesome Imaginative Gifts for Kids (they’ll use for years)

Best Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers

Baby Stocking Stuffers (that aren’t junk!)

Unique Gifts for Dads (who have everything they need)

Ultimate List Of DIY Christmas Gifts

Saving for the Holidays: Genius Ways to Save Money for Christmas

Quick Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Busy Moms {that are actually easy}

Simple New Year’s Ideas for Kids and Families {fun things to do on New Year’s with kids at home}

Christmas Eve Box for Toddlers