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Christmas Eve · Ages 2 to 10

Christmas Eve Box Ideas for Santa Believers

Christmas Eve is when the magic feels closest, and when parents are busiest. This is your one stop shop: Santa's own letters and videos, one click bundles, and simple ideas for the box, the sack, the pajamas, the cookies, the reindeer, stocking stuffers, gifts by age, elf fun, the tree, wrapping, family traditions and even a Santa suit.

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Updated October 28, 2026 · By the A Little Santa Magic team

A cozy living room on Christmas Eve with a lit tree, a wooden Christmas Eve box, a red velvet Santa sack, cookies and milk, and stockings by the fire

From A Little Santa Magic

Start with the part only Santa can give

Boxes and pajamas set the scene. A message from Santa that knows your child's name is the part they remember.

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A flat lay of a wooden Christmas Eve box, matching plaid pajamas, hot cocoa, a mug, marshmallows and a picture book

5 items plus pajamas

Christmas Eve Box

  • Christmas Eve box with a lid
  • Swiss Miss hot cocoa with marshmallows, 30 packets
  • Set of 4 marshmallow mugs for kids
  • Mini marshmallow bits
  • 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, classic hardcover
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Plus matching family pajamas. Pick sizes for each family member on Amazon.

Choose family sizes on Amazon
A flat lay of a holly plate and milk glass, Christmas cookie cutters, sprinkles and iced cookies

4 items

Cookies for Santa Kit

  • Santa's message plate, milk jar and reindeer treat bowl
  • 11 Christmas cookie cutters
  • Christmas sprinkles in 6 colors
  • Santa's lost button keepsake
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A flat lay of a red Santa sack, a gold key with a red ribbon, a bag of reindeer food and two knit stockings

4 items

Reindeer and Santa Magic

  • A key for Santa, no chimney needed
  • Large canvas Santa sack
  • 3 classic Christmas stockings
  • Reindeer food bags (fill with oats and birdseed)
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A flat lay of red, green and gold ornaments, wooden ornament shapes with paints, a felt ball garland and tinsel

4 items

Kids' Tree Trimming Kit

  • 50 shatterproof ornaments
  • Kids' ornament craft kit
  • Felt ball garland, 9 ft
  • 300 ornament hooks
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Want ornaments with names on them? See personalized ornaments.

The Christmas Eve box

Think of it as the opening act. A small box after dinner on Christmas Eve, with cozy pajamas, a book, a mug and something sweet, turns bedtime into the best part of the night. Yes, even for the kid who swears they are not tired.

An open wooden Christmas Eve box with plaid pajamas, a storybook, a Christmas mug, hot cocoa and marshmallows
  • An open wooden keepsake box tied with a red satin bow

    All ages

    An empty Christmas Eve box

    Pick a sturdy box with a lid that you can reuse every year. Wood lasts for ages; cardboard folds flat for the closet.

    See options on Amazon
  • A red tin and kraft packets of hot cocoa with a jar of mini marshmallows

    All ages

    Hot cocoa for the box

    One packet and a handful of marshmallows is plenty of sugar for bedtime. Check the label for allergens if cousins are sharing.

    See options on Amazon
  • A red snowflake mug filled with hot cocoa and marshmallows

    All ages

    A Christmas mug for kids

    Plastic or melamine survives little hands far better than ceramic. Look for an easy grip and dishwasher safe.

    See options on Amazon

A Santa sack

A big drawstring sack by the tree says one thing loud and clear: he was here. It also saves an hour of wrapping at midnight, which Santa's helpers appreciate.

A red velvet Santa sack full of wrapped presents beside the Christmas tree
  • A large red drawstring Santa sack with a cream rope tie

    All ages

    A classic Santa sack

    Canvas, burlap and velvet sacks all work. Canvas is the easiest to wash and store, and a wide drawstring is easier for small hands to open.

    See options on Amazon
  • Three gift sacks in red, green and plaid, each with a blank tag

    All ages

    A Santa sack for each child

    A different color or tag for each child stops the 6 AM debate about whose sack is whose.

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Matching Christmas pajamas

New pajamas on Christmas Eve are the tradition kids remember and grown ups photograph a lot. Order early: popular sizes vanish by mid December.

A family in matching plaid Christmas pajamas, seen from behind, sitting by the tree with their dog in matching pajamas
  • A stack of matching plaid pajamas folded from adult size down to baby, with a tiny dog pajama on top

    All ages

    Matching family Christmas pajamas

    Sets run from baby to adult, and many include the dog. Read the size chart, and size up for kids in a growth spurt.

    See options on Amazon
  • A child's red and white striped Christmas pajama set with little green trees

    All ages

    Kids' Christmas pajamas

    In the US, children's sleepwear must be either snug fitting or flame resistant. Snug fitting cotton is what most parents choose for little ones.

    See options on Amazon
  • A plaid dog pajama next to a matching child pajama top

    All ages

    Christmas pajamas for the dog too

    A matching pet set is the fun extra in the family photo. Choose a soft fabric and skip anything your pet would chew.

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A small child in plaid pajamas, seen from behind, kneeling at a frosty window and looking at a starry night sky
Keeping watch for a sleigh. (Bedtime is in five minutes. Probably.)

A cookies for Santa kit

Leaving out cookies and milk gives kids a very important job before bed. A special plate that only comes out on Christmas Eve makes it official.

A plate of star and tree cookies, a glass of milk, a carrot and a child's drawing of a star left out for Santa
  • A holly rimmed plate with iced star cookies and a matching glass of milk

    All ages

    A cookies for Santa plate and mug

    Melamine is less likely to break than glass or ceramic when small helpers carry it to the fireplace.

    See options on Amazon
  • Christmas cookie cutters shaped like a star, tree, snowflake, reindeer and gingerbread person

    All ages

    Christmas cookie cutters

    Stars, trees and reindeer are enough for a batch. Plastic cutters with rounded tops are kinder to little fingers than metal.

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  • A cream card with a child's crayon drawing of a star and a tree, a red envelope and crayons

    All ages

    A note to Santa card

    A card for your child to write or draw a note to Santa. Any blank card from home works too.

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Reindeer food

Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn helps Santa find your house (the reindeer have a great sense of smell). Keep it wildlife friendly: oats and birdseed are safe for birds, glitter and plastic sparkles are not.

Linen bags and a wooden bowl of oats and birdseed reindeer food on a snowy porch step by a lantern
  • Three clear bags of oats and birdseed tied with red and white twine and blank tags

    All ages

    Reindeer food bags

    Little bags with a tag mean every child gets their own scoop. Fill them with oats and a little birdseed.

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  • A gingham topped jar of oats, seeds and dried cranberries with a wooden scoop

    All ages

    Ready made reindeer food

    If you buy it ready made, read the ingredients and choose one without glitter or plastic sparkles.

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A child's mittened hands sprinkling oats and birdseed reindeer food onto the snow at dusk
Reindeer food goes out just before bed, so it is fresh for the 2 AM landing.
A parent and a child in plaid pajamas, seen from behind, reading a picture book by the fire
One more story, then lights out. Santa only comes when everyone is asleep.

Christmas storybooks

The last thing before lights out on Christmas Eve should be a story. Read the same one every year and watch it become theirs.

A stack of storybooks and an open picture book of a snowy cottage on a knit blanket by the fireplace
  • A classic hardcover picture book with a painted cover of snowy moonlit rooftops

    All ages

    'Twas the Night Before Christmas

    The classic poem comes in many illustrated editions. Board book versions hold up best for toddlers.

    See options on Amazon
  • A stack of chunky board books with a tree, a star and a snowman on the covers

    Ages 2 to 4

    Christmas board books for toddlers

    For ages 2 to 4, look for short board books with thick pages and big pictures.

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  • An open picture book showing reindeer in a snowy pine forest under the stars

    Ages 5 to 10

    Christmas picture books for ages 5 to 10

    Older kids love longer stories with more to talk about. Library lists of favorite Christmas picture books are a great way to choose.

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A magic Santa key

No chimney? No problem. A magic Santa key hangs on the front door so Santa can let himself in, which settles a very real worry for kids in apartments or homes without a fireplace.

A gold magic Santa key tied with a red velvet ribbon and holly, hanging on a white front door handle
  • An ornate gold key with a red velvet bow, a blank tag and holly

    All ages

    A magic Santa key

    Most keys come with a tag or a short poem. Hang it on the door handle or a hook on Christmas Eve.

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  • A small gold key ornament with a red jingle bell hanging from a fir branch

    All ages

    A Santa key with an ornament

    Some keys double as a tree ornament for the rest of the season, so they are easy to find again next year.

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Stocking stuffers

Small, useful and a little silly is the sweet spot for stocking stuffers. Tap an age button at the top to see the right ideas. For kids under 3, skip anything small enough to be a choking hazard and check the age on every package.

Red, cream and green knit stockings filled with small treats hanging from a white mantel
  • Chunky egg crayons, a yellow bath duck, stacking cups and a soft cloth book

    Ages 2 to 4

    Stocking stuffers for toddlers

    Chunky crayons, bath toys and soft books are winners for ages 2 to 3.

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  • A red flashlight, playing cards, a pom pom craft kit, star stickers and colored pencils

    Ages 5 to 7

    Stocking stuffers for kids 5 to 7

    Small craft kits, card games, stickers and a flashlight keep 5 to 7 year olds busy on Christmas morning while you find the coffee.

    See options on Amazon
  • A puzzle cube, a red journal, a green headlamp, a magnifying glass and a wooden brain teaser

    Ages 8 to 10

    Stocking stuffers for kids 8 to 10

    Puzzle cubes, a journal, a headlamp for reading under the covers and a brain teaser or two are just right for 8 to 10.

    See options on Amazon
  • A red cable knit stocking with a cream cuff and a blank name patch

    All ages

    Christmas stockings for kids

    A stocking with space for a name tag makes it easy to tell whose is whose. Choose one with a strong hanging loop.

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Gifts kids love, by age

Under the tree, the winners are rarely the flashiest toys. Tap an age button at the top, then pick something to build, make, play or read. (Batteries not included is a lie we all tell ourselves.)

Unwrapped building blocks, an art kit, a red scooter, board games and a science kit under a lit Christmas tree
  • A set of chunky wooden blocks in red, green and gold stacked into a tower and an arch

    Ages 2 to 4

    Chunky building blocks

    Big wooden or soft blocks are the toddler gift that never gets old: stack, knock down, repeat.

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  • Two wooden peg puzzles with animal and shape pieces

    Ages 2 to 4

    Wooden puzzles

    Chunky peg puzzles build little hands and big patience. Look for knobs that are easy to grip.

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  • An open art case with crayons, colored pencils, pastels, watercolors and a sketch pad

    Ages 5 to 10

    Art kits

    A case full of crayons, pencils and paints means hours of quiet creativity, and a lot of refrigerator art.

    See options on Amazon
  • A red kick scooter with a bow, a jump rope, a ball and a kite

    Ages 5 to 10

    Outdoor toys

    Scooters, jump ropes and kites get everyone outside on Christmas afternoon. Add a helmet to anything with wheels.

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  • Three board game boxes with plain lids and an open game board with pawns and dice

    Ages 5 to 10

    Family board games

    A new game on Christmas night is a tradition in a box. Check the age on the box so everyone can play.

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  • A half built construction model with gears, connector rods and a motor

    Ages 8 to 10

    Building sets

    For 8 to 10, building sets with gears and motors are a weekend project and a lesson in patience (for the grown ups too).

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  • Test tubes with colorful liquids, goggles, a magnifier and a crystal growing dish

    Ages 8 to 10

    Science kits

    Crystal growing and simple chemistry kits make Christmas break feel like a science fair. Grown up help recommended.

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Elf and North Pole fun

December is better when the North Pole feels close by. A tiny door, a letter from far away or a Nice List check keeps the magic going all month, and gives you a gentle way to mention bedtime.

A tiny red elf door with a wreath at the bottom of a white wall, a tiny mailbox and red envelopes sealed with gold wax
  • A tiny arched red wooden door with a gold knob, a mini wreath and a welcome mat

    All ages

    An elf door

    A little door at the bottom of the wall is where North Pole visitors come and go. Kids love leaving notes beside it.

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  • Red and green envelopes with gold wax seals, cream stationery and a red quill pen

    All ages

    A North Pole mail kit

    Special envelopes, paper and seals turn a letter to Santa into a real occasion. Little ones can draw their list.

    See options on Amazon
  • A wooden house shaped advent calendar with small red, green and white drawers

    All ages

    A kids' advent calendar

    A little treat, note or activity every day until Christmas Eve makes the countdown half the fun. Refillable wooden ones last for years.

    See options on Amazon
  • A boot print stencil, a flour sifter and a white flour boot print

    All ages

    A Santa was here boot print stencil

    A stencil and a little flour or fake snow leaves Santa boot prints by the tree. Use it on hard floors and sweep up afterward.

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  • A blank parchment scroll with a red and gold border, a red ribbon, a gold seal and a gold medal

    All ages

    Nice List fun

    A Nice List certificate or scroll is a sweet reward for kind moments in December. Keep it about kindness, not presents.

    See options on Amazon

Trim the tree

Decorating the tree together is half the fun of December. Add one ornament with each child's name and the year, and in ten years you will have a tree full of stories.

An adult's hand and a child's hand hanging a wooden ornament on a lit Christmas tree
  • A round wood slice ornament with painted holly and a blank center for names

    All ages

    A personalized family ornament

    Many shops engrave or print your family's names and the year. Order by early December so personalization has time to ship.

    See options on Amazon
  • White ceramic star, mitten and stocking ornaments with blank gold name banners

    All ages

    Personalized ornaments for each child

    One ornament per child, with their name, is a lovely Christmas Eve box surprise and a keepsake for later.

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  • A pile of shatterproof ornaments in red, green and gold

    All ages

    Shatterproof ornaments

    Let the littlest decorators loose on the bottom branches without worrying about broken glass.

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  • Unpainted wooden star, tree, snowflake and gingerbread ornaments with paint pots and a brush

    Ages 5 to 10

    A make your own ornament kit

    Wooden shapes and a few paints keep kids busy while the grown ups untangle the lights.

    See options on Amazon
  • A spiral of red, white, green and gold felt ball garland

    All ages

    A kid friendly garland

    Felt ball and paper chain garlands are soft, light and easy for small hands to drape.

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Wrapping and Christmas morning

Santa's presents should look like they came from somewhere else. Use paper and tags that only Santa uses, then make breakfast part of the magic.

Christmas morning pancakes shaped like trees and snowflakes beside wrapped presents with blank kraft tags
  • A fan of blank Christmas gift tags in kraft, red and cream with twine loops

    All ages

    From Santa gift tags

    Tags in a different style from yours keep the story straight. Santa's handwriting is famously fancy.

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  • Three rolls of Christmas wrapping paper with reindeer, stars and sleighs, and gold ribbon

    All ages

    Santa wrapping paper

    Pick a paper you never use for family gifts, so Santa's presents look different under the tree.

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  • Red and green silicone pancake molds with tree and star pancakes and berries

    All ages

    Christmas pancake molds

    Tree and snowflake pancakes make Christmas breakfast feel like a party, with very little extra work.

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  • A small red waffle maker with a snowflake plate and two sugared snowflake waffles

    All ages

    A snowflake waffle maker

    A mini waffle maker with a snowflake plate is a small, fun treat for Christmas morning. Grown ups handle the hot part.

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Family traditions

The traditions kids remember are the simple ones you repeat every year: a movie night, a gingerbread house, a baking day, a drive to see the lights.

A gingerbread house, striped popcorn buckets, a plaid blanket and cookie dough by a window with string lights
  • Striped popcorn buckets, a plaid blanket, mugs of cocoa and candy canes

    All ages

    A Christmas movie night kit

    Popcorn buckets, a cozy blanket and cocoa turn any December night into an event. Let the kids pick the movie (within reason).

    See options on Amazon
  • A decorated gingerbread house with icing snow, gumdrops and candy cane trim

    All ages

    Gingerbread house kits

    Ready to build kits skip the engineering, so everyone can focus on the candy. Expect more icing on the kids than on the roof.

    See options on Amazon
  • A small red apron, a green oven mitt, a little rolling pin, a whisk and cookie cutters

    All ages

    A kids baking set

    A child size apron, mitt and rolling pin make kids real helpers on cookie day.

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  • A paper chain garland, felt shapes, pipe cleaner candy canes, glue and safety scissors

    All ages

    Christmas crafts

    Paper chains, felt ornaments and pipe cleaner candy canes are perfect for a snowy afternoon at the kitchen table.

    See options on Amazon
  • A glowing coil of warm white string lights and a strand of red, green and gold bulbs

    All ages

    Outdoor Christmas lights

    Hanging the lights together, or driving around to see the neighbors', is a tradition kids talk about all year.

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North Pole decor

A few small touches make the house feel like Santa really visited, and they double as clues for kids to find on Christmas morning.

Snowy boot prints on a wooden floor leading to a decorated Christmas tree, with a candy striped pole and glowing candles
  • A candy striped North Pole post with three blank wooden arrow signs

    All ages

    A North Pole sign

    A wooden or metal street sign for the porch or the playroom door sets the scene all season.

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  • Three glowing flameless pillar candles with red berries and evergreen

    All ages

    Battery powered candles

    Flameless candles give the window a warm glow on Christmas Eve without any open flame near curious hands.

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Be Santa

Planning a surprise appearance at the family party, or a wave from the window? A good suit and a few details do most of the work, and little helpers can dress up too. Check the size chart and try everything on before the big night.

A red velvet Santa suit on a coat stand by the fireplace, with a hat, beard, gloves and black boots
  • A red velvet Santa suit jacket and pants with white trim and a black belt

    For grown ups

    An adult Santa suit

    Velvet or plush suits look best in photos. Most include a jacket, pants, belt and hat, so check what is in the box.

    See options on Amazon
  • A full white curly Santa beard and a red plush Santa hat

    For grown ups

    A Santa beard and hat

    A full curly beard with a mustache looks far more real than a thin elastic one.

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  • Black Santa boot covers with white cuffs and a wide black belt with a gold buckle

    For grown ups

    Boot covers and a belt

    Boot covers slip over your own shoes, so there is no need to buy real boots.

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  • White gloves, round gold spectacles and a strap of brass sleigh bells

    For grown ups

    Gloves, glasses and sleigh bells

    White gloves, round spectacles and a jingle of sleigh bells sell the whole look.

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  • A child size red plush Santa jacket, pants and hat laid flat

    All ages

    A kids' Santa suit

    Little Santas love handing out presents on Christmas morning. Plush suits with a hat are cozy and easy to wear over pajamas.

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  • A child size green elf tunic with a striped collar, striped leggings and a pointed hat

    All ages

    A kids' elf costume

    A green tunic, striped leggings and a pointy hat make the perfect North Pole helper for the big night.

    See options on Amazon

Christmas Eve box questions

What goes in a Christmas Eve box?

Most Christmas Eve boxes have new pajamas, a storybook, a mug with hot cocoa, a treat and something for Santa such as a cookies plate or reindeer food. Keep it small: it is about getting ready for bed, not more presents.

What age is a Christmas Eve box for?

A Christmas Eve box works for any age, and it is most magical for children from about 2 to 10 who believe in Santa. For toddlers, skip small parts and pick board books and soft pajamas.

When do you open a Christmas Eve box?

Most families open it after dinner on Christmas Eve, so the pajamas go on and the book gets read right before bed.

How does the Add all to Amazon cart button work?

It opens Amazon with every item in that bundle added to your cart. You can remove anything or change quantities before you check out. Items and prices on Amazon can change, so check your cart before you pay.

Is reindeer food safe for animals?

Homemade reindeer food made with oats and birdseed is safe for birds. Avoid glitter and plastic sparkles, which can harm wildlife and pets.

What is a magic Santa key?

A magic Santa key is a decorative key you hang on the front door on Christmas Eve, so Santa can get in at a home without a chimney. It is a simple answer to a worry many children have.

Do you earn money from the links on this page?

Yes. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Most links go to Amazon search results, so you can compare options and choose for yourself. We do not list prices or ratings because they change often.

This Christmas Eve

A free letter from Santa, in their name

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