December is finally here! On one hand, it feels like 2020 flew by, and on the other, it seems like it was never-ending. Either way, the most magical month of the year is here. I think we can agree that we can all use some much-needed joy after this crazy year.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions that we started a few years back is a Christmas Eve box. This is the one present under the tree that the kids are allowed to open early. Why? Because it contains lots of goodies and activities that can be used on Christmas Eve.
Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite items to include in a Christmas Eve box. You can use these ideas and come up with a few of your own to create your very own box for your family this year.
Christmas Pajamas
I love to buy one set of matching family Christmas pajamas every year. We wear them to bed on Christmas Eve and then open gifts in them the next morning. Looking back on our yearly matching jammie pictures is so much fun!
Reindeer Food
You can make your own reindeer food by combining the following ingredients:
2 cups raw oats
red and green sprinkles about 1 TB
birdseed
Have your kids sprinkle the food in the grass at night. On Christmas morning they will be amazed to see that Santa’s reindeer have “eaten” it all.
Ornament
Each year we get a few new ornaments to hang on our tree. I try to buy one that reminds us of a fun memory or event from the year. This year I found one of Santa wearing a mask, which pretty much sums up 2021. We open it and hang it on the tree on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Movie
I used to put a DVD of a Christmas movie in the box, but at this point, we pretty much own all of them. Also, most networks stream the good ones around Christmas. So instead, I put a print out of a ticket stub to indicate family movie night. We all cuddle up in our jammies and watch a holiday movie.
Hot Chocolate and Snack
To go along with the movie, I like to throw in some instant hot chocolate and a few good movie snacks.
Cookie Supplies
Everyone knows you have to leave cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. I like to put a few cookie-making supplies in the box each year. It might be a festive cookie cutter, icing, or sprinkles. Anything to make the baking process that much more fun!
Book
We end the night with a Christmas story before bed. I love collecting holiday books for the kids that can be taken out and read year after year. Some of our current favorites are The Grinch, The Night Before Christmas, and Santas Stuck.
Does your family open a Christmas Eve box? If so, what are some items you like to include in it?
