Christmas Eve box ideas for kids, teens and adults

Foodie treats, such as chocolates, biscuits and cheese are sure to be a hit, along with loungewear and a good book, game or film to enjoy over the festive period. We've got plenty of ideas for adults' gift boxes, as well as those for teens and kids, so nobody should feel left out! Whether you want to splash out or find some budget buys, we've included a range of different-priced boxes and fillers.

Fancy a bit of DIY? Check out our easy edible Christmas gift recipes below for the perfect box fillers, such as hot chocolate stirrers, popcorn and homemade reindeer food. All you need now is a log fire and the promise of reindeer hooves on the roof after bedtime.

Browse the list for Christmas Eve box ideas, then get more inspiration from our pick of the best Christmas gifts for foodies. We've also got plenty more extended guides, including the best food and drink, homeware and gadget gifts, the best hampers, letterbox gifts, baking gifts and our pick of the best Christmas gifts for kids. Our easily customisable My BBC Good Food cookbooks make an excellent personalised gift to pop in a Christmas Eve box, too.

Jump to section:

• What is a Christmas Eve box?
• Best Christmas Eve boxes to buy
• What to put in a Christmas Eve box for kids
• What to put in a Christmas Eve box for teens
• What to put in a Christmas Eve box for adults
• Homemade Christmas Eve box ideas

What is a Christmas Eve box?

Christmas Eve boxes are typically wooden or cardboard boxes that you fill with shop-bought or homemade gifts to give to someone special on 24 December. Believed to be related to the German tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve, these boxes are becoming an increasingly popular way to kick off the festivities early. We all know how exciting the build-up to Christmas is, so kids in particular will love receiving a few goodies the night before, whether it's hot chocolate and sweets or cosy pyjamas, socks and slippers for curling up in front of a film. If you are short of time, it's also possible to buy pre-filled Christmas Eve boxes, and we have included a few below.

Best Christmas Eve boxes to buy

Personalised boxes:

Treat Republic personalised baubles Christmas Eve box

Dimensions: H29 x W13 x D29cm

This durable wooden box is printed with a beautiful snowflake wreath, and can easily be personalised with the recipient's name. Keep the festive spirit alive by reusing it each year.

Available from John Lewis (£35)

Red Christmas Eve box with reindeer design

Dimensions: Medium – H22 x W22 x D6.5cm; Large – H30 x W30 x D9cm

A striking personalised cardboard box with a spellbinding design to remind kids that Santa is on the way! The colour of the box and font can be customised – a white background with metallic gold text is beautiful for adults. It's more affordable than the wooden versions, but should still be long-lasting.

Available from Etsy (from £9.95)

Large engraved Christmas Eve chest

Dimensions: H37 x W27.5 x D 15cm

Looking for a super-sturdy chest to continue the tradition each year? This hard-wearing wooden chest is engraved with a lovely festive design and personalised name. Fill your chest high with treasures to tempt your little ones.

Available from Amazon (£19.95)

Coloured Christmas Eve box with snow scene

Dimensions: H30 x W23 x D11cm

Kids will be delighted by the magical printed winter scene on this wooden box. It's got handles on either side to allow for easy transportation.

Available from Amazon (£23.95)

Non-personalised boxes:

Light-up Christmas Eve box with engraved festive design

Dimensions: H30 x W20 x D16.3cm

Light up somebody's Christmas with a box that literally glows upon opening. Each chest has an intricate hand-finished winter village scene inside that's illuminated by 11 internal warm white LEDs. It requires three AA batteries, which you'll need to buy separately.

Available from lights4fun (£16.99)

Dear Santa cardboard Christmas Eve box

Dimensions: H26 x W19 x D15.5cm

Not a fan of the traditional Christmas Eve box? Gift this charming cardboard gingerbread house instead. It's budget-friendly, made from recycled materials, and easy to open by lifting the lid. Children will love playing with it after unpacking the contents.

Available from Paperchase (£10)

'Twas the night before Christmas cardboard box

This fun, festive cardboard crate is a great budget option. With a special Santa mail stamp and various wintry characters, it hails all the way from the North Pole. Kids can customise it further with their own stamps and designs.

Available from studio (£4.50)

Pre-filled boxes

Christmas Eve Santa box for kids

Bring the Santa story alive with a boxful of personalised props. During those few magical years when your little one truly believes in the big guy in red and his flying reindeer, this box provides everything you need to set the stage for Christmas Eve. There’s a certificate of good behaviour, reindeer food, a magic key to let Santa in, and a believer’s bell. The edible bits of ‘reindeer food’, candy canes and hot chocolate are pretty standard, but they're backed up with the other items that make it all very special. The named cardboard box can easily be reused every year, as could most of the bits inside.

Available from Etsy (£19.95)

Christmas Eve box for adults

With one of the most unpredictable Christmases around the corner this year, it’s good to have a few gift ideas like this up your sleeve to send to relatives you might not get to see. This box from Lottie Shaw's is all about sweet bakes and biscuits, with a big nod to winter-warming ginger. Mince pies, chocolate cookies, large parkin cookies, parkin cake and a big slab of oaty flapjack are individually packaged, which gives you the option to give them away as smaller tasty treats or in the box, hamper-style. They would make a great gift for an expat overseas who wanted a taste of home.

Available from Not on the High Street (£25)

Christmas Eve box for teens

Young adults shouldn't have to miss out on the fun this Christmas Eve. This box from Dougie and Jarvis is packed with an enticing selection of products, which may include a Christmas colouring pad and pens, cute socks, a scented candle, chocolates and a wooden handmade decoration to hang on the tree. It has the option of including a personalised note card for somebody special.

Available from Etsy (£18.95)

Christmas Eve box to send

If you aren't able to see loved ones this Christmas, why not send a beautiful ready-made gift, packed with tasty treats? This festive box is designed to fit through your recipient’s letterbox, saving on 'will they miss the delivery?' anxiety. It includes a spiced berry and white chocolate bar, Christmas cake, chocolate fudge, hot chocolate spoon, cranberry and spice mini-bites, candy canes, and some roast peanuts. This selection of sweet and savoury is the perfect grazing material for adults or teens over Christmas.

Available from Virginia Hayward (£16.50)

Kids' essentials Christmas Eve box

Give the kids a little festive taster with this big red box of goodies. It's a budget-friendly package of everything you need to cosy up on the sofa with a classic Christmas movie, sipping a mug of hot chocolate and munching on a few sweet treats. It also includes mini bottle to fill with milk and a packet of reindeer food – the perfect fuel for Rudolph!

Available from Funky Hampers, £19.99

What to put in a Christmas Eve box for kids

Keel Eco gingerbread man with scarf soft toy

Little ones are sure to fall in love with this soft, smiley gingerbread man. He's all wrapped up for winter with a cute red scarf, and he's great for cuddling with during a festive bedtime story. This cuddly customer is also made from 100 per cent recycled materials, making him a fun, tactile way to teach kids about sustainability.

Available from Selfridges (£10)

Salted caramel popcorn festive cracker gift box (85g)

Pop open this Christmassy cracker of sweet treats to enjoy with a festive film. Joe & Seph's rich and crunchy salted caramel popcorn is made with British sea salt flakes, and is sure to be popular with kids and adults alike. Vegan popcorn fans needn't fear, as this flavour is also available as a dairy-free mini gift kit.

Available from Joe & Seph's (£7)

Magic reindeer food

Let your little ones reward Rudolph for his festive efforts with a magical sprinkling of reindeer food on the doorstep or lawn. Made from from porridge oats and edible sugar crystals, this product is both animal and eco-friendly. It even includes a little poem to spur on your favourite reindeer.

Available from Etsy (£1.90 per tube)

Christmas DVDs

Get the family together on the sofa and settle down to a classic film, such Elf or the enchanting Frozen series. They will get everyone in the mood for the big day ahead, while allowing you to put your feet up for a bit.

Available from Amazon:
Elf (£2.99)
Disney's Frozen double pack (£10)

Hot chocolate bombe trio – milk, dark and salted caramel (150g)

Accompany your movie night with a comforting mug of cocoa. Children will be captivated watching these chocolatey balls melt and transform into a creamy drink, complete with a surprise centre of mini marshmallows. You can choose from a selection of milk, dark or salted caramel flavours, so there is something to please all the family.

Available from Lakeland (£9.99)

Shortbread musical house tin (230g)

What's better than a plain box of biscuits? Answer: A musical shortbread tin that plays festive jingles when wound! Filled with buttery house-shaped shortbreads, these colourful containers will bring a bit of festive sparkle to the snack supply. They are just the right size for a small treat, and kids can reuse the box for filling with smaller gifts they receive over Christmas.

Available from Ocado (£5)

Cosy reindeer slipper boots

Keep tiny toes warm with these cute reindeer slipper boots. Made from soft wool and lined with a warming fleece, they are pure comfort for wearing about the house all day. Suitable for toddlers and kids up to age six, the anti-slip sole provides a stable grip for new walkers and bigger kids.

Available from JoJo Maman Bébé (£18)

Christmas jersey pyjamas

Pyjamas are a classic Christmas Eve box gift. We love the cheery festive patterns on these cotton jersey ones – choose from jolly snowmen and reindeer, or a funky 'Treerex' Christmas dinosaur print. Suitable for ages up to six years old, bedtime will become a lot more exciting with this colourful nightwear.

Available from JoJo Maman Bébé:
Jolly Christmas print (£17)

Cadbury Christmas super fun pack

Fill up your kids' Christmas Eve box with a sweet selection pack of Cadbury's best-selling Christmas chocolate items. From mini chocolate snow balls to festive Freddos and a wintry Dairy Milk bar, there's something for everyone to pick and choose.

Available from Amazon (£14)

Christmas dominoes

Bored of playing charades? These bright and colourful Christmas dominoes will bring a seasonal twist to your games night. They make a great family gift, and kids will love the cheesy Christmas jokes on the back of them!

Available from Lakeland (£5.99)

The Snowman pop-up hardcover book

When it comes to Christmas storybooks, we don't think you can beat a classic. This new edition of The Snowman brings the Raymond Briggs tale alive with a beautiful pop-up scene and artwork from the much-loved animated film. A perfect bedtime fairytale to capture your little ones' imaginations, and leave them with sweet dreams.

Available from Amazon (£6.55)

Percy Pig™ glass sweetie jar

Percy Pig makes a comeback this year in a super-sized sweetie jar. Little fans of these pink, fruity gums will delight in a seemingly bottomless treasure trove of enticing piggy faces, also suitable for vegetarians. The collectable glass jar is engraved with Percy's face and can be re-used for storage when its sweet contents are finally depleted.

Available from M&S in store (£15)

What to put in a Christmas Eve box for teens

Mob Kitchen cookbook by Ben Lebus

Know any budding young chefs? Inspire their culinary curiosity with a laidback, easy to follow cookery book in their Christmas Eve box. The first book from online recipe platform Mob Kitchen is filled with flavoursome, budget-friendly recipes to feed four people, making it a great pick for food-loving teens and students. As on their social media platform, each recipe is listed with a song to play as you cook, which can be accessed directly through Spotify.

Available from Amazon (£10.99)

See our review for more of the best student cookbooks.

Candy Kittens gourmet sweets Christmas gift jars

Candy isn't just just for young kids! These vegan gourmet fizzy sweets are perfect for popping in a teen's Christmas Eve box for snacking over the season. They come in three zingy flavours: wild strawberry, tropical mango and sour watermelon, all complete with fun, festive slogans.

Available from Candy Kittens:

Sour watermelon (£7)
Tropical mango (£7)
Wild strawberry (£7)

Handmade Alpine woollen slipper socks

Stay warm in style on long winter nights with these super-cool and colourful woollen slipper socks. The beautiful alpine design is hand-knitted and available in seven different colour options and three sizes. Created by a fairtrade organisation in Nepal, they not only look good, but also support small artisan businesses.

Available from Not on the High Street (£14.95)

Hotel Chocolat The Stocking Fillers collection– classic

If you know any chocoholics, this pack of festive favourites from Hotel Chocolat will go down a treat. Complete with chocolate gingerbread men, spruce trees and filled chocolates, everyone will love tucking into these – if sharing is allowed, that is!

Available from Hotel Chocolat (£20)

Fortnum's water bottle (500ml)

This sleek and stylish water bottle is made from double-walled stainless steel, helping keep drinks super-cool. We think it's well worth the price for a quality product, not to mention helping to cut down on single-use plastic bottles.

Available from Fortnum & Mason's (£20)

The Chocolate Libertine chocolate figures

A festive hamper is hardly complete without chocolate, so why not treat your teen to some of the most stylish cocoa creations we've tried? We loved the smooth, caramel flavour of the blonde chocolate star, studded with crispy cereal pearls. If you can bear to not eat it straightaway, use the gold thread to hang it from the Christmas tree as an edible decoration.

Available from The Chocolate Libertine:

Blonde chocolate hanging Christmas star (35g) £4.95

Palm reading gift set

Help your kids channel their mystical side with this set of 100 palm reading cards from Gift Republic. They'll soon be an expert at predicting everyone's future, so why not get family and friends involved?

Available from Selfridges (£4.99)

Santa mug

Give the gift of festive cheer with this jolly ceramic Santa mug. We've got plenty of indulgent hot chocolate recipes and other winter drinks with which to fill him.

Available from Lakeland (£5.99)

What to put in a Christmas Eve box for adults

M&S alcoholic drinks

Light-up snow globe clementine gin liqueur (70cl)

These light-up snow globe bottles make an enchanting gift for any gin-lover. The light and citrussy liqueur contains speckles of edible 23-carat gold leaf, which creates a shimmering winter scene when the bottle is shaken. Best enjoyed chilled with ice or paired with the following prosecco. You can also buy the gin in mini snow globe baubles to hang on the tree (£12).

Available from M&S in store (£18)

Conte Priuli Oro prosecco (75cl)

Give the gift of a crisp and refreshing bottle of bubbly. This reasonably priced vintage Oro brut prosecco makes a sophisticated apéritif to enjoy with Christmas starters.

Available from M&S in store (£10).

See the M&S website for more product information.

Toffolossus biscuits 600g

If we could think up the ultimate chocolate biscuit, this would probably be it. These super-crunchy, salty and sweet cookies are studded with chewy toffee pieces, and enrobed in a satisfyingly thick layer of milk chocolate. A seriously indulgent treat for any chocolate-lover in a gorgeous tin.

Available from Fortnum & Mason (£17.95)

Heston from Waitrose & Partners chocolate buck's fizz candles

These striking chocolate candles will bring the wow-factor to any Christmas Eve box. A mandarin-infused white chocolate shell is filled with a thick, boozy ganache of milk and dark chocolate, prosecco and zingy mandarin purée. Complete with a gold almond 'flame', these rich and opulent chocolates are perfect for a post-dinner treat.

Available from Waitrose & Partners (£9)

Whittard hot chocolate selection box and Christmas tea

Warming beverages are a must over the chilly winter season, and make great Christmas Eve box fillers. If you can't decide on a flavour, then Whittard's hot chocolate heaven selection box contains 12 different delicious varieties, from salted caramel to rocky road. For tea fans, the aromatic citrus and spice blend in the Christmas tea simply sings of the season. We like it with a splash of milk, but you could also have it as is.

Available from Whittard:
Hot chocolate heaven selection tin (£15)
Christmas tea (£6 for 25 teabags)

Black Bomber cheddar cheese (200g)

You can't go wrong with a rich, full-bodied cheddar. The multi-award-winning Black Bomber from The Snowdonia Cheese Company is tangy, creamy and extra-mature. Pair with the following crackers and some punchy chutney for the full fromage experience.

Available from The Welsh Cheese Company (£4.85)

Emmental cheese straws

Fans of a savoury snack are sure to welcome these nibbles from Harvey Nichols. These crisp and flaky cheese straws have a mild emmental flavour and are deliciously buttery – they're so moreish, you won’t be able to stop at just one.

Available from Harvey Nichols (£3.95)

Worcester Warrior chutney

A favourite for our food & reviews writer Anna Lawson, this punchy onion chutney has a great balance of sweetness, acidity and a chilli kick. Delicious with a strong cheddar, it works well with burgers and other red meats, too.

Available from Myrtle's Kitchen (£3.95)

Winter spice tin scented candle (209g)

Pop this scented candle in a friend's Christmas Eve hamper and they'll be guaranteed a household of beautiful seasonal aromas. This blend of warming cinnamon, clove, orange and sandalwood will create a feeling of calm and cosiness.

Available from John Lewis & Partners (£10)

Christmas peppermint bark (150g)

Chocolate bark doesn't get more sophisticated than this. We love the combination of rich, dark chocolate with minty white chocolate and crunchy peppermint candy pieces. A proper grown-up snack for after dinner.

Available from Fortnum & Mason (£12.95)

Festive cinnamon coffee (125g)

We all know Christmas is a busy time, so what better way to soothe the senses then a mid-morning cup of festive spiced coffee? This comforting Java blend has subtle notes of cinnamon, and is sure to be a hit with coffee connoisseurs.

Available from Selfridges (£8.99)

L'Occitane cherry blossom festive bauble body care gift set

Not just a pretty case, this mini cherry blossom tree tin doubles up as a beauty box and bauble. It's filled with three fragrant floral products – shower gel, body lotion and hand cream – all designed to gently cleanse and moisturise skin. After all the hectic energy of the festive season, we think a little beauty pampering may be in order!

Available from John Lewis & Partners (£12)

Fortnum's sparkling tea (75cl, 0% ABV)

Have a friend who's staying off the booze? There's no need for them to miss out on raising a celebratory glass of bubbly. Fortnum's special blend of sparkling tea combines complex notes of tropical fruits, lemongrass, mint, darjeeling tea and a lingering hint of jasmine. All these layers balance to create a light and refreshing tipple that's sophisticated enough to match any fine fizz.

Available from Fortnum & Mason (£16.95)

Homemade Christmas Eve box ideas

Want to customise your box with a few homemade goodies? Pick and choose some of our easy edible gifts for all the family to enjoy. For even more inspiration, see our collection of Christmas gift recipes.

Hot chocolate stirrers

These chocolate spoons add lots of festive fun, and are really simple to make – all you need is a bar of chocolate and some sugar sprinkles, plus a few empty mini yogurt pots and wooden lolly sticks. Stir them into a mug of hot, frothy milk and top with marshmallows for an indulgent chocolatey drink. Make extra to give to your child’s teachers, and personalise with handwritten labels.

Get the recipe for hot chocolate stirrers.

Find more ideas in our Christmas chocolate recipe collection.

Reindeer food

This crunchy granola is sprinkled with chocolate beans, and makes a perfect movie-watching snack for children (and a great post-midnight treat for Rudolph and his pals). Eat straight from the bag, or add a splash of milk to leftovers for breakfast on Christmas morning.

Get the recipe for reindeer food.

Gingerbread jumpers

Christmas isn't Christmas without gingerbread and festive jumpers, so these brilliant biccies have you covered on all fronts. The cable-knit jumper decorations look really impressive, but aren't as fiddly as they look. Pipe lines of icing along the biscuits, then drag a toothpick through for a feathered Fair Isle effect.

Get the recipe for gingerbread jumpers and find more festive gingerbread recipes.

We've also got delicious options to suit other diets, including gluten-free gingerbread and vegan gingerbread people.

Sweet popcorn

You only need three ingredients and 20 minutes to make this moreish movie snack. Break the caramel-coated popcorn up and divide between paper bags. You’ll have enough for your Christmas Eve box, plus leftovers for little pressies.

Get the recipe for sweet popcorn.

Slow cooker fudge

Take classic fudge to a new level of luxury with our indulgent slow cooker version. Made with milk and dark chocolate, it's extra-decadent, with a smooth melt-in-the-mouth texture. Perfect if you are making up a box for someone with a sweet tooth!

Get the recipe for slow cooker fudge.

Honeyed almonds

Coated in festive cinnamon, nutmeg and Chinese five-spice powder, these nuts are ideal movie-watching nibbles. Grown-ups can make their own savoury version with smoked paprika instead – perfect for enjoying with a glass of Christmas Eve fizz.

Get the recipe for honeyed almonds.

Reindeer hot chocolate cones

These fun, festive hot chocolate and marshmallow cones are becoming a popular gift, so why not have a go at making your own? They are super-simple, using basic storecupboard ingredients along with a few craft supplies. Kids can have a go at creating their own and decorating them to look like Rudolph, with googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose. Warning: they may almost be too cute to consume!

Read our guide on how to make hot chocolate cones.

Festive pink gin

This pretty homemade tipple is the perfect gift for any gin lovers. Infused with an aromatic mix of spices, along with pomegranate molasses and cranberries, you simply couldn't get more festive! Include a note with suggestions to serve with tonic, or enjoy with a dash of prosecco.
Get the recipe for our festive pink gin.

Polar bear peppermint creams

Raise a smile with these minty treats made from icing sugar, beaten egg whites and peppermint extract. They can also be coated with melted chocolate, if you like. The noses are made from blue chocolate beans.

Get the recipe for polar bear peppermint creams.

Check out more Christmas sweet recipes.

Mince pie brownies

These Christmas-in-a-mouthful brownie bites can be made up to a month ahead and frozen – ideal for saving time and stress on the big day. Don’t forget to leave an extra square by the fireplace for Father Christmas himself.

Get the recipe for mince pie brownies.

We've got plenty more brilliant brownie recipes.

Homemade honeycomb

Honeycomb is super-easy to make, and always a welcome gift for snacking over Christmas. Simply combine heated golden syrup and sugar with bicarbonate of soda to make a magical foaming mixture that will set in the tin and transform into satisfyingly crunchy honeycomb – just be careful as the mixture is very hot.

Get the recipe for homemade honeycomb.

Easy homemade chocolate bark

This easy chocolate bark is the perfect canvas for creating your own flavours and textures. Whether the recipient of your gift loves sweets, biscuits, nuts or dried fruit, these can all be thrown into the melted chocolate mixture before setting to form a delicious bespoke treat. After cooling, break up the bark and package the shards in a clear box or wrapping to show off the colours and patterns.

Get the recipe for our easy homemade chocolate bark.

Fruity biscotti

Get the little ones to help mix and roll out the dough for these biscotti, which can be made up to a month ahead. Dip these crunchy, nutty biscuits in a mug of hot chocolate or coffee, and bag up the extras to give as gifts.

Get the recipe for double chocolate & orange biscotti.

Carrot & cream cheese cupcakes

Everyone knows carrots help Rudolph see in the dark, so these little cakes should be just the ticket on Christmas Eve. You can freeze them without the decorations if you want to get ahead, then package them in your festive boxes with or without the frosting.

Get the recipe for carrot & cream cheese cupcakes.

Discover more cute Christmas cupcake recipes.

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This review was last updated in November 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

Will you be making a Christmas Eve box this year? Leave a comment below...