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Here's everything you need to know about the modern Christmas Eve box tradition. Plain Paper Party Bags
Christmas Eve boxes have become a modern Christmas tradition, perfect for kids, adults, and even pets. It's a fast-growing trend that the entire family can get on board with ahead of Christmas Day.
Let's be honest, for the slightly less organised among us, Christmas Eve mostly consists of us running around doing a last minute jobs – whether that's searching for stocking fillers, trying to wrap presents, prepping all the Christmas food, putting up any extra decorations before guests arrive – basically, it's usually a pretty stressful affair.
For kids, the excitement and build-up to Christmas Day is like no other. Not only is it usually quite difficult to send them to bed, but it's also quite a task trying to stop them from opening presents early. This is where the Christmas Eve box comes in.
A Christmas Eve Box, typically given to children on 24th December to ease the excitement ahead of the big day, can be filled with festive goodies (as little or as much as you wish).
According to research conducted by Hobbycraft, searches for Christmas Eve boxes increased by 69 per cent last year compared to the year before — and they're showing no sign of slowing down.
Christmas Eve boxes vary in size, price and material. You could also easily make your own, depending on how much spare time you have and how creative you wish to get! Click here for a step-by-step DIY tutorial. For the ones you can buy, some come pre-filled with goodies, but mainly you buy an empty box (with a stylish, decorative design) and fill it with gifts separately. And it doesn't even have to be a box! You can now buy Christmas Eve bags (like a sack) or even Christmas Eve crates or chests.
Notonthehighstreet.com has a brilliant selection that will leave you spoilt for choice. You can also find some great options on Etsy and, as it's a fast-growing trend, this year expect more department stores and supermarkets to sell them. It always pays to buy them early as they can sell out very quickly.
We love this wooden Christmas Eve Box, which features a beautiful holly design and a personalised note.
The wooden box is printed with a beautiful festive design and you can choose from two different colourways, plus two sizes.
How cute are these Christmas Eve kraft boxes? It looks just like it's been delivered from the North Pole!
Forget a box, why not get a Christmas Eve house? This charming wooden house can be personalised to reflect your actual house, from the facade to the house number and family name. Tied with a beautiful red velvet ribbon, it opens up to reveal the goodies inside (gifts not included).
Crafted from natural wood, this handmade Christmas Eve Box has a festive scene on the front and has space to fill with plenty of goodies.
Made from 100 per cent wood, this sweet Christmas Eve box has a paw print on the front and can be personalised with your pet's name.
Let the whole family get involved with this personalised Christmas Eve box.
This Christmas Eve box, designed as a treasure chest, is sure to delight kids. With a handle at either side, it can be personalised with a name of your choice.
Adorned with three large baubles and a cluster of stars, this personalised Christmas Eve Box from John Lewis has room for you to fill with surprise treats.
This personalised wooden Christmas Eve sleigh is just brilliant. Handmade from start to finish, each one is constructed with walnut wood and finished with hand-drawn illustrations.
We love this wooden box, which features a Christmas nutcracker and a sweet ballerina on the front.
This isn't exactly a box, but we think it still counts. Fill it with a medley of festive treats to open the night before Christmas, such as choc rocks and a net of chocolate coins.
There really are no rules, but for kids, popular gifts for Christmas Eve boxes tend to include pyjamas, an activity pack or book, a novelty item, a personalised item, Christmas DVDs and chocolates or sweets.
For adults, it can similarly include pyjamas and chocolates, as well as personalised gifts (a mug, bauble, candle, socks etc).
For pets, you can fill it with a personalised collar, food treats and toys.
This charming Christmas Eve pyjama set is perfect for popping on the night before Christmas.
From elephants to lions, this chocolate animal selection is great for kids to indulge in on Christmas Eve.
Kids will love these fluffy reindeer slippers, perfect to wear at home during the holidays.
This super cosy soft cotton blanket features white stars.
Kids will find hours of fun in this festive sticker book.
Infused with winter scents, get your home smelling like Christmas with this gorgeous diffuser and candle duo. It's perfect for a hallway or living room shelf.
This gorgeous pamper set includes natural soap, a candle and two hand-rolled cocoa butter bath truffles. What a perfect way to relax over the festive period!
Plan for the year ahead with this smart black bucket list journal.
Nothing says Merry Christmas like a gorgeous festive mug.
Perfect for playing after dinner, this trivia quiz will keep the whole family entertained.
Kids will love this small soft teddy, boasting a playful bow tie.
This Christmas Eve chocolate box is filled with lots of festive sweet treats, including chocolate bauble tree decorations, drinking chocolate and snowy finger biscuits.
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Olivia Heath is the Executive Digital Editor at House Beautiful UK, covering tomorrow's biggest interior design trends and revealing the best tips, tricks and hacks to help you decorate your home like a pro. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn't love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.
Laura Hill is the Homes Ecommerce Editor for House Beautiful UK, covering the latest interior trends and home product ranges. With several years’ experience in home decor and DIY-focused editorial, Laura is an expert in finding the best tips and tricks to help you create a home you love on a budget.
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