A Christmas Eve box is one of the simplest family traditions to start — and one of the most loved. On the evening of the 24th, children open a box filled with a few small treats that set the scene for the big day: new pyjamas, a Christmas book, something sweet, maybe a note from Santa.
Here's everything you need to make one: what to put inside for every age, how to choose the right size, wording ideas for the lid, and when to order a personalised box so it arrives in time.
What is a Christmas Eve box?
A Christmas Eve box is a gift box opened on the night before Christmas. It's not about big presents — those wait for the morning. Instead, it holds small things that help children wind down and get excited at the same time, and it gives the whole family a cosy moment together before bed.
A personalised wooden box turns it into a tradition: the same box comes out every December, refilled each year, with the child's name engraved on the lid.
What to put in a Christmas Eve box
Keep it small and simple. Three to six items is plenty — the box is the star.
For babies and toddlers
- Christmas pyjamas or a festive onesie
- A board book or touch-and-feel Christmas book
- A small soft toy
- A "Baby's First Christmas" ornament
For children
- New Christmas pyjamas — summer-weight for an Australian Christmas
- A Christmas picture book or chapter book
- A Christmas movie for the family to watch together
- A few treats — candy canes, chocolate or a mini gingerbread kit
- A letter or "magic key" from Santa
- Reindeer food to sprinkle on the lawn
For teens
- Comfy pyjamas or a hoodie
- A novel, puzzle book or card game
- Favourite snacks
- A face mask, lip balm or small treat for themselves
For couples and families
- Matching pyjamas
- A board game or a Christmas movie
- Snacks for a movie night
- A bottle of something festive for the adults
- A photo from this year to look back on next Christmas
Choosing the right size
Think about the biggest thing going in — usually folded pyjamas or a book — and size up from there. Measurements are outside dimensions, and the suggestions below are a rough guide: if you already have the pyjamas or book, it's worth measuring them against the box.
| Size | Outside size | Roughly suits |
|---|---|---|
| XX Small | 15 × 10 × 5 cm | A letter from Santa, a small ornament or a few treats — a stocking-sized keepsake |
| X Small | 20 × 10 × 5 cm | Treats, a small toy or a candle |
| Small | 25 × 16 × 8 cm | A small book with a few treats, or baby items |
| Medium | 30 × 21 × 11 cm | Folded baby or toddler pyjamas with a small book and treats |
| Large | 35 × 26 × 15 cm | Children's pyjamas, a book and treats — or a family box |
If pyjamas are going in and you're unsure, choose the Large — a little extra room is easier than a lid that won't close.
Our Christmas Eve box designs
Every design is laser engraved on wood with your child's name, and most come in a natural or white finish.
- Festive Icon Panel — festive icons in a neat panel with the name below. The cleanest layout, and crisp even on the smallest sizes.
- Scattered Icons — icons across the whole lid with the name in the centre. Made to sit out on display through December.
- Icon Christmas Tree — dozens of tiny icons forming a Christmas tree. Detailed enough to keep little eyes busy while they wait.
- Reindeer & Sleigh — the most classic design, and a lovely choice for a box handed down between siblings.
- Icon Border & Message — a festive border with room for a longer message, such as "To be opened on 24th December".
- Botanical Wreath — a fine wreath around the name. Less overtly festive, so it works as a year-round keepsake box too.
- Classic Engraved Keepsake — a simple pine box in small, medium and large, ready for your own name and message.
Wording ideas for the lid
- [Name]'s Christmas Eve Box
- Christmas Eve Box — To be opened on 24th December
- Special Delivery from the North Pole
- The [Surname] Family — Christmas Eve
- [Name] — My First Christmas 2026
You can also add engraving inside the lid or on the bottom — a message from the parents, or the year of the child's first Christmas, so the box carries its own history.
Making it a tradition
The best part of a wooden box is that it lasts. Bring it out every December, refill it, and put it away again in January. Many families add a small note each year, so by the time the children are grown the box holds a little record of every Christmas Eve.
When to order
Every box is engraved to order in Melbourne. We send a digital proof within 1 business day; once you approve it, production takes 1–3 business days, with dispatch from the next business day.
Christmas is our busiest time of year and postal services slow down in December, so we recommend ordering by the end of November for delivery anywhere in Australia.
In Melbourne? Visit our Caulfield showroom — we'll show you your child's name in each design on screen for free, and engrave your box while you wait, usually in about an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What age is a Christmas Eve box for?
Any age. Toddlers love the unwrapping, older children love the treats, and couples and families often keep one for matching pyjamas and a movie night.
Can I reuse the box every year?
Yes — that's the idea. A wooden box is built to last, and refilling the same box each December becomes part of the tradition.
Natural or white finish?
Natural wood shows the grain and suits a warm, classic Christmas. White is softer and more modern, and the engraving stands out clearly. Not every design comes in white — check the options on each product.
How much does a personalised Christmas Eve box cost?
Our Christmas Eve boxes start from $19 for the smallest size, with larger sizes and extra engraving (inside the lid or on the bottom) available.
