Christmas Eve box ideas for kids, teens and adults 2021

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. Our selection of items is food related but you can of course include a variety of games, DVDs, loungewear and beauty products too.

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 £10.95)

Personalised Deco Christmas Eve Box

Dimensions: H14 x W27 x D20cm

A sophisticated and durable wooden box made from untreated birch, which you can personalise with a decorative engraving of your family name (or other choice). There is also the option to leave a short, meaningful message on the bottom for your children or loved ones.

Available from Sunday's Daughter (£32)

Traditional Christmas Eve box

Dimensions: Small - H24 x W18 x D7 cm. Large - H29 x W29 x D13 cm.

Kids will be delighted by the magical printed patterns on this wooden box. It comes in two sizes and colour options for you to choose.

Available from Treat Republic (Small: £21.99, Large: £35)

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 (£34.95)

Non-personalised boxes:

Candy Land Christmas Eve box

Dimensions: H26 x W19 x D15.5cm

Not a fan of the traditional Christmas Eve box? Gift this charming candy-themed box, decorated with colourful pom poms and gingerbread characters. 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 and transporting themselves to a fantastic candy land.

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 (£4.39)

What to put in a Christmas Eve box for kids

Polar Bear Biscuit Pop Kit

Keep your little ones occupied over the Christmas holidays by baking and decorating these adorable polar bear lollies. The kit contains all the pre-measured dry ingredients you need to make the pops, so just a few storecupboard extras are required. Also included are a template, chef’s hat, recipe card and fun activity card for the kids to enjoy!

Available from Honeywell Biscuit Co. (£15)

Jellycat Jolly Gingerbread Fred

Little ones are sure to fall in love with this soft, smiley gingerbread man who's great for cuddling with during a festive bedtime story. Kitted out in a dapper red bow tie, cuffs and buttons, this jolly fellow oozes charm and is even scented with warming gingerbread notes.

Available from JoJo Mamane Bebe, £15

Milk chocolate popcorn stars (63g)

Pop open this Christmassy packet of rich and crunchy star-shaped treats to enjoy with a festive film. Joe & Seph's award-winning salted caramel popcorn comes nestled within velvety milk chocolate stars, making for a very merry mouthful!

Available from Joe & Seph's (£3.50)

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 (£2.50 per tube)

Christmas Santa Stoneware Mug

Give the gift of festive cheer with this jolly ceramic Santa mug which is both dishwasher and microwave safe. In Santa's hands, there's space for resting a little biscuit, Christmas treat or tea bag at the side. We've also got plenty of indulgent hot chocolate recipes and other winter drinks with which to fill him, or check out the Rudolph hot chocolate bomb below.

Available from John Lewis & Partners (£10)

Rudolph Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Melt (50g)

Accompany your movie night with a comforting mug of reindeer-themed cocoa. Children will be captivated watching these milk chocolate balls melt and transform into a creamy drink, complete with a surprise centre of mini marshmallows. They come with a sachet of edible gold shimmer which you can sprinkle over for an extra festive flourish.

Available from Lakeland (£3.49)

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)

Chocolate Peppermint Snackable Cookie Dough

Little cookie monsters will love these refreshing peppermint and chocolate dough bites. As well as being vegan and gluten-free, they are also low in sugar, making a delicious lite bite.

Available from Doughlicious (£2.99)

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)

Cake or Death Christmas Brownies

These festive-themed vegan brownies are sure to be a hit with chocoholics of all ages! From colourful candy-filled squares to gooey gingerbread and salted pecan flavours, a treasure trove of delights awaits any lucky recipients of this box. Its sleek design makes it perfect for slipping into a Christmas Eve box.

Available from Cake or Death:
Box of 6 (£19) or Box of 10 (£24)

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

Comfort Mob 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 fourth and latest book from online recipe platform Mob Kitchen is filled with flavoursome, comforting and 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 (£13.99)

See our review for more of the best student cookbooks and also check out MOB kitchen's other releases: MOB Kitchen, Speedy MOB and Comfort MOB.

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, very cherry and sour watermelon, all complete with fun, festive slogans.

Available from Candy Kittens:

Sour watermelon (£7)
Very Cherry (£7)
Wild strawberry (£7)

Hotel Chocolat Festive collection

If you know any chocoholics, our pick of festive favourites from Hotel Chocolat will go down a treat. From chocolate gingerbread men and portly penguins to a miniature chocolate-filled stocking, everyone will love tucking into these – if sharing is allowed, that is!

Available from Hotel Chocolat:

Portly Penguins (£8)
A Dozen Gingerbread Men (£8)
Posse of Penguins (£12.50)
The Elf's Stocking (£10)

Available from John Lewis & Partners ( £24)

Festive Edition Gourmet Marshmallow Toasting Gift Set

Love the feeling of huddling round a campfire whilst toasting marshmallows? Now you can do so within the comfort of your own home! This special festive edition of the Naked Marshmallow's popular toasting kit allows you to choose two gourmet flavours from a range: S'mores, Cookies & Cream, Mint Choc Chip, Honeycomb & Choc and Cinnamon Churros. The kit also includes a non-toxic marshmallow toaster, set of eight bamboo skewers and 'how to' guide, all within a bespoke beautifully presented box

Available from The Naked Marshmallow Co. (£22)

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)

Tiny Tony's Christmas Mix Pouch (180g)

Give a chocolate lover the gift of this fun festive sharing pouch from Fairtrade chocolate brand, Tony's Chocolonely. This colourful packet is filled with a gourmet selection of favourite flavours - milk, milk hazelnut and white. As well as popping in a Christmas Eve box, you can hang these on the tree for a funky decoration.

Available from Tony's Chocoloney (£5.99)

Whittard hot chocolate selection box

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.

Available from Whittard:
Hot chocolate heaven selection tin (£15)

Christmas Treats Selection Box

A treasure trove of tiny festive treats awaits all lucky recipients of this beautiful (and highly Instagrammable!) Christmas selection box from specialist London bakery, Cutter & Squidge. Feast on a delectable assortment of 'baby biskies' in various festive flavours as well as cute mini chocolate cupcakes and mince pie macarons.

Available from Cutter & Squidge (£16.20 for 12 pieces, £32.40 for 24 pieces)

What to put in a Christmas Eve box for adults

M&S light-up snow globe gin liqueurs

These light-up snow globe bottles make an enchanting gift for any gin-lover. The light and citrussy clementine liqueur contains speckles of edible 23-carat gold leaf, while the spiced sugar plum flavour contains shimmering silver leaf flakes. Both create a magical winter scene when you shake the bottles, making for an unforgettable gift

Available from M&S:

Clementine Light-Up Snow Globe Gin Liqueur, 70cl (£20)

Spiced Sugar Plum Light-Up Snow Globe Gin Liqueur, 70cl (£20)

See the M&S website for more product information.

Merrilossus biscuits 600g

If we could reimagine a Christmas pudding in the form of the ultimate chocolate biscuit, this would probably be it. These super-crunchy, spiced cookies are studded with fruit and nuts, all enrobed in a satisfyingly thick layer of milk chocolate. A seriously indulgent treat for any chocolate-lover, housed within a gorgeous golden tin.

Available from Fortnum & Mason (£17.95)

Crema di Pistacchio Siciliano 180g (Sweet Pistachio Spread)

Transport someone to the sunny coves of Italy with this luxuriously smooth and silky spread, make from 40% Sicilian pistachios. Delicious spread on bread, toast, pastries, panettone, or cake, there are endless ways to enjoy this fresh, nutty spread.

Available from Strazzanti (£11.95)

Sipsmith Triple Gin Mini set

Gin connoisseurs will love this beautiful gift pack containing a trio of miniature Sipsmith bottles. Featuring a fresh and zingy lemon drizzle gin, bright and refreshing orange gin or bold and aromatic classic London dry gin, so recipients will never get bored. Enjoy them neat or mixed into a G&T or make up your own bespoke festive cocktail.

Available from Sipsmith ( £12)

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)

The Bay Tree Perfect for Cheese Set

These punchy condiments provide the perfect accompaniment to any cheese lovers' collection. From spicy tomato and caramelised onion chutney to cider apple jelly and tangy cranberry sauce, this mini set provide a vibrant array of flavours to jazz up your cheese board.

Available from National Trust (£10)

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)

St Eval Orange and Cinnamon Scented Tealights

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 and citrus flavours will create a feeling of calm and cosiness.

Available from National Trust (£14)

Fortnum & Mason Christmas Spiced Green Tea

For tea fans, the aromatic spice blend in this luxury Christmas green tea simply sings of the season. Infused with star anise, liquorice, coconut and a hint of sweet vanilla, you'll experience waves of warming flavours to balance the freshness of the green tea.

Available from Fortnum & Mason ( £12.95)

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)

Modern Standard Christmas Espresso Blend (250g)

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 medium roast blend from female-owned business Modern Standard, conjures warming notes of cloves, ginger, nutmeg and chocolate. Whether you choose whole beans, coarse, medium or finely ground, it's the ideal formulation for a festive flat white and is sure be a hit with coffee connoisseurs.

Available as a gift box from Modern Standard (£9-10)

Lilo Hard Seltzer - White Grape & Elderflower and Cranberry & Rosehip, 250ml

Want an alternative to bubbly which is lower in alcohol and calories? Lilo Hard Seltzer has created two award-winning drinks flavours which offer a lighter booze option without compromising on taste. The White Grape & Elderflower balances delicate floral notes and sweetness with a botanical distillate of zingy orange peel and lemon verbena, all elevated by a light effervescence from sparkling water. The Cranberry & Rosehip flavour delivers more warming aromas of ginger spice and peppercorn alongside the tart cranberry and rosehip. Both come in beautifully decorated cans and are a great gift for anyone watching their alcohol intake over the festive period.

Available from Lilo Drinks (£5.99 for 2 x cans)

Russel & Atwell Fresh Chocolates - Refillable Glass Jar Sets

Once you've tried fresh chocolates, you won't turn back! Russel & Atwell's refillable glass jars make a luxurious gift which you can personalise with your own message. Choose a twin or trio pack with a selection of flavours including milk, caramel, hazelnut and dark. The premium glass jars can then be reused - use them to store sweets, nuts or other edibles or why not get crafty and make your own Christmas snow globe.

Available from Russel & Atwell (from 29.90 for a twin pack, from £32.90 for a triple pack)

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)

For more boozy-free options, check out our review of the best non-alcoholic champagnes and sparkling wines.

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...