I love Christmas time, just spending time with my family is so perfect. We also have a few Christmas traditions that we do every year and sometimes we are still adding new ones to the list. We also have an advent calendar each. The kids have just got cheap chocolate ones this year, but we got to review a Playmobil advent in November which was great. Last year we also did an Itty Bitty’s advent which was really fun.
Other traditions that we only started two years ago, was watching films with Dobbie the Reindeer sat with us on the sofa and we also had our very own scout elf, Eva Ella, from The Elf on the Shelf make her first visit to us. This one is the one the kids love the most and can’t wait to see what Eva Ella has been up to every morning. This year we started a new tradition of walking around where we live and looking at all the neighbours outdoor Christmas decorations.
But I think the Christmas tradition that we have done the longest as a family is the Christmas Eve Box. I first started it 10 years ago, back in 2007. That was when my eldest was only 2 years old. Not many people in the UK did it back then, and it was originally an idea I found on pinterest and nearly everyone doing it was American. But now, 10 years later, most families that I know do a Christmas eve box.
Last year I used a big red cardboard box that I had gotten from a pr company with something to review in it. And the years before that I used gift bags. I always include pj’s, chocolate, a game, dvd, reindeer food and then other bits and bobs.
Here’s a photo of the ones I did for my youngest two, 2 years ago.
I included pj’s, slipper socks, chocolate coins, play-doh, a Christmas book, Mr Poppers Penguins dvd, bubble bath, a Lego toy and my homemade magic reindeer food.
This year we have something a bit more special than gift bags. We have a lovely wooden Christmas eve box with lid from Sue Ryder’s. This looks very rustic and traditional and makes opening it more exciting.
This year I have out in it pj’s for each kid, a Terry’s Chocolate orange – one for each of us, Mickey and Minnie Itty Bitty’s, my homemade magic reindeer food, chocolate coins, a Christmas dvd and two board game to play.
Do you and your family do a Christmas Eve box? If so, What do you put in yours?
What other Christmas traditions do you do? Let me know in the comments below
I was sent this box in return for this post. All opinions are mine
This is the first year I’ve done a Christmas Eve box. However, it’s become more of a winter activity hamper and the girls are wrapped up in the pyjamas already. #mmbc
This is great – we might start doing this this year we’ve never had an Xmas eve box! xxx
That’s very prettily put together, what a lovely treat.
I’ve never done one of these before fabulous idea how lovely they look
What a fun idea!
Oh my goodness….this looks like such a wonderful idea. We used to only open one gift on Christmas Eve.
This is really a neat idea. I love the items you put in your families Christmas Eve box.
Thank you for sharing this great tradition with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
I love a Christmas Eve box. I will have to look into this. Thank you! Merry Christmas.
What a lovely tradition!
We don’t do it but we dream too. Christmas has been very hard on our budget. Still waiting on pay day before we can get my daughter her Christmas present which meant we missed the Black Friday sales. But I would love to put in bits like you did so we can have a cosy Christmas eve before the big day hits
This is such a wonderful idea. Love the idea of new PJs for Christmas especially Christmas Eve.
I’ve never done a Christmas Eve box before. I never even heard of it until now. It’s such a fun idea!
I think a Christmas Eve box is a really cool idea. I don’t know why, but it just brings up pictures in my head of Wilford Brimly in flannel. I mean that in the best way possible. Like just old school holidays.
Ooh! This is a great idea. I will try to do this idea this Christmas.
You can never go wrong with these gifts!!
I think that Christmas eve boxes are such a lovely idea. It just helps to add the excitement!
That’s a really lovely tradition to have at Christmas. I’ve never heard of this type of box for Christmas Eve but I’m sure the family would enjoy it.
Your Christmas traditions sound absolutely magical! It’s heartwarming to hear how you’ve incorporated new ones over the years, creating lasting memories with your family. The advent calendars, including the Playmobil and Itty Bitty’s, must add an extra layer of excitement each day.
This is a very unique way of celebrating and enjoy Christmas. This is the first time I knew that there is a Christmas Eve box. It is more enjoyable I think.
we do not do a Christmas Eve box but what a fun idea. We used to open one gift when the kids were little, on Christmas Eve.
We appreciate you dropping by and linking up at SSPS 290. I love the Christmas box idea.
Take care and best wishes.
I think this is such a cute tradition but I just cannot justify it around the holidays! So fun to see your family enjoy it.
I don’t do a Christmas Eve box but what a great idea. I love the boxes you have this year.
I’ve never heard of these, but what a beautiful idea! I am going to share this with my daughter and daughter in love. Visiting from Weekend Traffic Jam!
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