I adore the idea of a Christmas Eve Box and it's something we couldn't wait to do for Joshua. Arran and I have a few little traditions we've started during our relationship and Christmas Eve is always a chance for us to wear new pyjamas, eat lots of cheese and treats and watch a Christmas film so we've taken that and created a child-friendly version for Joshua with a few added extras.
I know they're not for everyone, I think the beauty of Christmas is that we all have our very own traditions and this is just one of ours so I wanted to share what we've put inside ours this year.
We bought our Christmas Eve box in 2018 from Etsy but unfortunately can't link as she isn't selling them this year. If you are looking to buy one I would really recommend Etsy, there are some beautiful boxes available or you could head to Hobbycraft and make your own. I just fill ours with some red shred to bulk out the bottom, I've kept the shred we used last few years inside the box and packed it away with it so we don't have to replace it year on year.
I've collected a few different things over the last couple of weeks to place inside and stuck with the theme of something to wear, watch, read and eat. It makes shopping for presents so much easier. We've bought Joshua's Christmas pyjamas from Marks and Spencer this year - they're elf pyjamas and I'm so excited to see him in them, the little stripey legs are super cute.
We also bought Christmas socks from Next to keep his toes cosy. They have packs of two socks available so great to split between siblings. We're putting the reindeer pair in his Christmas Eve Box and then the Santa feet in his stocking.
It wouldn't be a Christmas Eve box without something a little sweet so we've popped a little chocolate treat in there for him. Marks and Spencer have a great free from range this year so we've bought a Father Christmas Chocolate Lolly and some bits from Moo Free too. He also has a personalised enamel cup so we can have hot chocolates all together - I bought this from Prints Nickety on Etsy
The Christmas movie we've added to the box is Winnie the Pooh A Very Merry Pooh Year as Joshua has become a bit obsessed with Winnie the Pooh recently and it's one we all don't mind sitting and watching together.
We're a reading family so there was always going to be a book included and I've chosen two this year. Ollie's Christmas Reindeer is part of a seasonal set, I bought the Halloween version for Joshua in October so when I saw this one I knew this would have to be the Christmas Eve Box book of choice! It's a beautiful tale of a magical snowy adventure on Christmas Eve. Nicola Killen's illustrations are also partly the reason I buy these books - they're just so gorgeous!
The second book is Dasher by Matt Tavares - another beautifully illustrated and magical story that captures the magic of Christmas so well. Follow Dasher as she longs for a different life, one that includes snow and the north star. I can't wait to read this to Joshua on Christmas Eve.
The next few items were my favourite last year and my favourite again this year. I am so glad I came across Designed by Blue on Etsy. I ordered a Nice List Certificate which I had personalised with Joshua's name, it's printed on satin aged paper and stamped with a North Pole wax seal. It's something I'll keep forever. I think I'll appreciate them more than Joshua at the moment but I don't think a Christmas Eve box is complete without a letter from Father Christmas.
We also included the Magic Key I ordered in 2018 which I had personalised with our family name so we can continue to use it for years to come and with more children if we have them. The bronze key comes on a dark red cord and on the back of the card it reads:
"These are the things you need to do, first whisper "I believe in you". Then hang this key outside your door, he will know just what it's for. Now it's time to close your eyes tight, Father Christmas is coming tonight. Christmas day you will wake to find, all the presents he left behind."
There's also a little tube of personalised reindeer food too - I thought it was a cute little addition!
The very last item and a new addition for this year is a Belive Bell from Vellamaes which I am so happy with, it's just beautiful. It comes in a personalised box (so if we ever have another child let's hope we can order another!) and inside you'll find a cushioned bell on a red ribbon. It's very Polar Express - I just adore it so much - it's such a special piece to include this year.
And that is everything inside this years box. Creating Joshua's Christmas Eve Box is one of my favourite things to do this time of year and we can't wait to give it to him on Christmas Eve.
I hope it has given you some ideas on what to put inside yours too.
