How to create the ultimate Christmas Eve box

The Christmas Eve box has become a popular yuletide trend in the UK. Given to young children on Christmas Eve to quell excitement for the big day, it is the perfect festive celebration for those who can’t wait to open their presents. Here is The Week’s hand-picked list of top boxes and fillers.

Villeroy & Boch Christmas box

First thing’s first, you will need a box. For a traditional container you can fill year after year, Villeroy & Boch has created a pure porcelain box, hand-painted with a Father Christmas workshop scene and bow on top.

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£59, harrods.com

Rocks Design personalised box

If you are after something more personal, Rocks Design makes tailored pine boxes, with words of your choice engraved on the top in festive script font.

£39.99, notonthehighstreet.com

Derek Rose pyjamas

New pyjamas are a staple of the Christmas Eve box. This Nelson 65 Cotton Batiste pyjama set features a white motif print of Japanese pagodas, a smart rounded collar, one breast pocket and hems on the sleeve. Fastened with mother of pearl buttons, it makes a comfortable yet refined Christmas gift.

£95, derek-rose.com

Amiki Nathan robe

Keep your child warm this Christmas with the Nathan robe from Amiki Children, a grey dressing gown decorated with white stars. Made from soft cotton, the luxury robe guarantees a fantastic night’s sleep and a cozy Christmas morning.

£70.50, amikichildren.com

Jingles the mini reindeer

Super-soft Jingles the reindeer from The White Company is a great festive choice for younger children.

£10, thewhitecompany.com

White Christmas in a matchbox

Create your own white Christmas with this little matchbox. It contains instant snow that expands to 100 times its original size, as well as a bottle of “angel glitter” and beads.

£6.49, notonthehighstreet.com

DIY gingerbread house kit

If you’ve ever made a gingerbread house from scratch, you’ll know the kitchen typically ends up a mess of icing and broken biscuit walls. However, the whole family can feel like star bakers with this kit, full of pre-baked house pieces, icing sugar, piping bags and decorations, making it an ideal Christmas afternoon activity.

£35, biscuteers.com

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Every Christmas Eve box needs a good book. A classic option guaranteed to entertain, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! makes a great read before bed.

£6.99, waterstones.com

The Polar Express

A Christmas film for all the family is also a Christmas Eve box must. The Polar Express, starring Tom Hanks, is a beloved Christmas movie adapted from the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, featuring the adventures of a young boy who embarks on a magical train to the North Pole.

£5.99, store.hmv.com

Moccis

Half sock, half slipper, these luxury hand-sewn Swedish moccasins mix fashion and function. The cotton sock will keep feet toasty, while the soft leather sole prevents young ones from slipping or falling.

From £25, Moccis.co.uk

Penguin mug set

As The Daily Telegraph says, hot chocolate is a Christmas Eve box classic to be drunk “during either the Christmas movie or with the bedtime story”.

To that end, this cute set containing a penguin mug with a serving of hot chocolate, marshmallows and a mini bar of chocolate should go down a treat.

£7.50, JohnLewis.com