Christmas Eve box ideas for adults and kids 2018: What to put inside this year

You may or may not have heard about this new Christmas Eve tradition.

Originating in Germany, the Christmas Eve box has officially become a thing. With pages of pages of Pintrest and Instagram inspo on the topic offering tips on how you can design your own, the tradition allows you or your little ones to open a present or two in the evening before the big day.

For when that Christmas excitement gets a bit too much, this trend extends the festivities, building anticipation for the gift-giving process and bringing the family together for additional celebrations.

• Read more

The ES Best Christmas gift guide 2018

2017 saw a massive rise in popularity for the Christmas Eve box, and we expect this tradition in 2018 to only grow where it’s not just the little ones that get to enjoy the pre-festivities. We’ve gathered a range of gifts that for both young ones and the ones refusing to grow up that we expect they’ll be very happy to open on Christmas Eve.

Christmas eve box ideas for adults

Handheld Pac-Man Arcade Game

Introduce big or little kids to the wonderful world of Pac-Man for a fun and retro gift. Resembling a mini arcade game, the device features all the makings of the classic edition with a joystick, stop/start and volume controls.

£30 | Urban Outfitters | Buy it now

Cat dj jigsaw puzzle

Guaranteed for a laugh we can promise you this is something they will not expect but could very well spend all on. And yes, there are other space cat themes available too.

£14.85 |​ Zazzle | Buy it now

A4 & A3 Personalised Wall Calendars

Fill this personalised calendar with pictures of family, friends or your favourite inside jokes for a practical gift that's more interesting than your standard calendar option. At the very least they will never miss a birthday again.

From £9.99 | Photobox | Buy it now

Classic Jersey Pyjama Set

Not your traditional Christmas pyjamas but we can’t imagine a set more cosy to wake up wearing on the big day. The super soft set has a sophisticated design with a white piping around the trim and a pocket addition.

£60 | The White Company | Buy it now

Post-Poo Drops

While this present will be sure to put a smile on the recipient face, the Aesop Poo Drops are both fun and practical. The scent neutralises any bathroom-related odours, replacing them with a fresh citrus and floral scent.

£20 | Aesop | Buy it now

Red Lips Phone Charger

For the phone addict in your life, this portable charger is a must-have tech accessory with a fun twist. The giant red lip design powers up phones on the go with enough juice for two full charges. The entire Lulu Guinness collection is worth spending some time with if you're on the gift hunt this season. Adorable accessories, quirky gift ideas and all done up in lovely black and white striped packaging.

£35 | Lulu Guinness | Buy it now

Here For The Food T-Shirt

The perfect T-shirt for Christmas day itself, this piece will let your family know the true reason you are sitting through the annual small talk with members that you see once a year.

£18 | Skinny Dip | Buy it now

Twister Board Game from Hasbro Gaming

Gifting a board game on Christmas Eve will never go amiss so you can start playing as soon as Christmas lunch is over. While Monopoly is always a crowd-pleaser and Cards Against Humanity will bring the giggles, we’re looking to Twister to amp up the festivities.

£7.99 | Argos | Buy it now

Christmas eve box ideas for kids

Classic Lava Lamp

Forget a traditional bedside lamp, introduce your little ones to a nostalgic childhood favourite, the Lava Lamp. Making a massive comeback, the melted wax flow has a calming effect while harking back to the 70s.

£15 | Amazon | Buy it now

Personalised Toblerone

The excitement of receiving a Toblerone is only heightened when the recipient notices the personalised message on the side. Have any name or message of up to 14 characters featured alongside the iconic triangle chocolate.

£12.99 | Getting Personal | Buy it now

Funtime Neon Air Hockey Tabletop Game

Put the iPads away and opt for a different type of game with the Tabletop options that include Football, Pool and our personal favourite, Air Hockey. The blown air feature allows the puck to glide across the pitch as two teams battle it out to score.

£20 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Colouring-Book Adventure

Bring the world of Roald Dahl to life with this detailed colouring book for the budding artist in your life. Including iconic scenes from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, BFG and more, there are 45 images to choose from for hours of entertainment.

£7.19 | Amazon | Buy it now

Fairisle Hooded Onesie

What would Christmas morning be without a set of festive pyjamas? This Fairisle option from M&S ticks all the boxes. Cosy, comfortable, seasonal and warm, the onesie makes the perfect ensemble to wake up in on the big day.

From £16 | Marks & Spencer | Buy it now