50+ Ideas For Your December 1st Box Tradition
The most wonderful time of the year is approaching and I’m gearing up to make the season as magical as I can for our family. Up first, perhaps our favorite family Christmas tradition, the December 1st box. Otherwise known as the holiday kickoff box.
I make December 1st boxes for both of our kids each Christmas season, although they look slightly different each year. Since I’m in my eighth year of box assembling, I thought this would be a great year to round up all our favorite items from over the years and some other tips for crafting the perfect December 1st boxes.
But first…
What Is A December 1st Box?
They’re holiday, or Christmas boxes, that you give as a gift at the beginning of December. They are filled with things to help make the holidays more magical. The boxes contain anything you would like from jammies to ornaments, movies, and more. It’s one of our favorite family traditions.
A Way To Make The Season More Magical
Christmas boxes aren’t about overconsumption and consumerism—at least, ours aren’t. I see the boxes as a fun way to give my kids things I would normally give them to use during the entire month of December.
For example, instead of purchasing holiday sprinkles to decorate cookies for Santa and handing them over to the kids in a grocery bag on the big baking day, they go in the box. Same with Christmas jammies. I want them to wear them throughout December, not just on Christmas Eve, so into the box they go. Also with their new Christmas book each year.
A Marker Of The Holiday Season
December 1st boxes mark the kickoff to the Christmas season. It’s more than just the holiday pajamas and the things inside the box. It’s a little way of showing our kids it’s a new season, one filled with activities together, and lots of memory-making.
Don’t Have To Spend A Lot Of Money
The beauty of the boxes is that you don’t have to spend alot of money on them. While you could go over the top, I encourage you to keep it simple. Think of what you’ll spend money on anyway, like hot cocoa and marshmallows.
How Are They Different From Christmas Eve Boxes
Our family does both December 1st boxes and a Christmas Eve box. So what’s the difference?
The December 1st box contains anything we plan to use or do leading up to Christmas Eve. This includes tickets to the Polar Express train ride, festive pajamas for the season, and cozy socks for snuggling up with books because my kids outgrow them every year. Sometimes, there’s something in there for the whole family to do together like gingerbread house-making supplies.
The Christmas Eve box is a little different. In ours, there are typically matching family jams (for that Christmas morning in front of the tree picture tradition), a book (we do the Icelandic book-giving tradition), and chocolate or candy. After we give everyone in our family the box, we put on our jammies, read “The Night Before Christmas” together, then retire for the night to read our new books.
1st Of December Box Ideas
And now for the good part: a whole lot of ideas for what to put in those holiday kickoff boxes. If I missed any or if you have any ideas to contribute, please drop them in the comments section.
Things To Wear
Holiday Jammies
New Christmas pajamas are a must. I don’t always go for matching Christmas PJs because sometimes I thrift these, but I typically include a couple of sets of jammies for the girls. They always seem to need pajamas, so why not include them in a box?
Cozy Socks
Festive, fuzzy socks go hand in hand with pajamas. And who doesn’t love caroling dogs or elf socks to keep their toes warm? If you don’t, I’m sure there are some Grinch socks out there.
Slippers
When the girls need slippers for winter, I’ll often include them in their box. But this is not an every-year thing.
Sweater
Holiday sweaters can be fun, especially kids’ sweaters. Or give them a gorgeous hand-knit sweater picked up from the local craft fair.
Party Clothes
Suppose you’re a family that has a fancy holiday party to go to include party clothes for your kids. Or even the Christmas card photo outfits.
Tees And Sweatshirts
If you have a growing child on your hands (don’t we all!) and they’re in need of some new shirts, throw in a couple of holiday t-shirts or sweatshirts. It’s more fun coming in a 1st of December box than in a Target bag.
Hats And Mittens
Kids always seem to need mittens. If yours do, add a hat and mittens to their holiday box.
Holiday Hair Accessory
My girls LOVE hair bows. I almost always include one or a headband in their box. It’s much more fun to receive this way than giving it to them when their bow stash is running low.
Other Accessories
While it’s not necessary, sometimes gifting them a fun holiday necklace or bracelet is really fun. One year, maybe five years ago, I gave Rowan a Rudolph necklace and, to this day, it’s her favorite accessory.
Elf Or Santa Hat
Up your picture taking cuteness factor over the holidays and gift an elf hat or a santa hat. A kickoff box is the perfect place to include one.
Reindeer Antlers
Same with reindeer antlers.
Christmas Lights Necklace
If you’re going to a holiday light parade, a Christmas lights necklace is a great gift idea for kids’ boxes. It helps light them up and be a little more festive at the parade.
Things To Read
Holiday Book
Another must-have item is a Christmas book. Our Christmas book stash has grown considerably since this annual tradition, and it’s fun to read all the holiday books we’ve collected over the years while adding a couple of new reads each season.
Christmas Letter
If you have older kids, give them the family Christmas letter. It’s a fun way to “send” it to them and if they’re anything like our letters, everyone will laugh at the recap of the year’s shenanigans.
Audio Book
Audio books for kids, like Tonies or Yoto cards can be a fun addition. They always come out with fun holiday or winter season listens that make a perfect gift.
Things To Eat
Hot Cocoa
Hot chocolate almost always makes the box in our family. Getting one of those fancy hot cocoa variety packs and breaking them up for the girls is fun. Then we enjoy sampling them throughout December and choosing a favorite.
Marshmallows
How can you have hot cocoa without marshmallows? Go the traditional route or pick up some flavored mallows. Many craft fairs sell homemade marshmallows which just don’t compare to store bought. Or splurge on the super fun ones that look like melting snowmen.
Holiday Mug
Last year, I gave each of my girls a fun holiday mug. We store them with our Christmas decor and they come out for the holidays. They sip ALL of their hot cocoa and tea in those mugs. They’re so fun.
Candy Cane
Is there any treat that is more traditional or budget-friendly than a candy cane? Include one in their box before they get candy caned out over the season.
Popcorn
Add popcorn but make it fancy. Maybe some caramel corn or (Vermont family checkin’ in) maple popcorn for a sweet treat.
Nuts
Mixed nuts are a great non-sugar option. Pistachios are a fun treat in our family although cashews are quickly becoming favorite number two.
Other Holiday Treats
Any other holiday treats that are special to you or your family are fun to include here.
Things To Decorate
Christmas Ornaments
One unwavering box item for our family is gifting a fun ornament. The girls have a Christmas tree in their room and I include one special ornament for each. Rowan is obsessed with nutcrackers this year so I found a special one in a local gift shop.
Snow Globe
When Rowan was five, all she talked about for months leading up to Christmas was the snow globe that broke and how much she missed it. Of course, I found one that made its way to her Christmas kickoff box. She shakes it and winds the music box every night during December.
Nutcracker
A fun tradition may be gifting a nutcracker to your child each year. Imagine the collection in their room when they move out as adults.
Garlands
Gifting a garland for their room is a fun addition to 1st of December boxes. Depending on the garland, you can even use it as ribbon to wrap around the box.
Picture Frame
Maybe gift a picture frame with your family’s annual photo in it for the kids’ room, or one to put a picture of them with their friends.
Things To Make
Ornament Making Supplies
I started making ornaments with the girls last year and have one tree dedicated to just handmade ornaments. Include an ornament-making kit or some supplies to get your craft on.
Christmas Craft Supplies
Or include any Christmas craft supplies and leave the creativity doors wide open. Red pom poms are always a hit along with pipe cleaners.
Cookie Cutters
Each year, I give our kids one special holiday-themed cookie cutter that we don’t already have. Then we use the cookie cutters to make cookies for Santa. We’ve amassed quite the collection now so it’s getting harder to find a special one but at least now not all our cookies are snowflakes (the only holiday cookie cutter I had for Rowan’s first Christmas).
Cookie Decorating Supplies
Kids go bananas for sprinkles. For added cookie-decorating fun, go nuts and include a couple of different sprinkles in their boxes.
Gingerbread House
If you make gingerbread houses each year, include some candy or decorating supplies. Or even gift a kit in their box.
Sticker Books
Christmas stickers go on everything around here. From letters to Santa, to cards for friends, and even on their water bottles. They’re cheap and are always used by the end of December (or more realistically on December 3rd).
Coloring Books
Festive coloring books are fun to include. If we’re scraping the bottom of the blank coloring page barrel, I’ll include a coloring book for the holidays.
Crayons or Markers
And if you give a mouse a cookie, or a kid a coloring book, often it’s time for some fresh crayons or markers.
Other Activity Pads
Got a road trip coming up for the holidays? Hit the Target dollar spot for a couple of festive activity pads from reusable sticker pads to puzzle books.
Things To Do
Advent Calendar
If you give a preassembled advent calendar, include it in their box. Shameless plug for anyone needing advent calendar filler ideas.
Puzzle
I love having a Christmas puzzle going throughout the season but the kids aren’t quite up to the 1000 piece-ers just yet. If I find a cheap holiday puzzle at their level, I’ll include one.
Holiday Movies
We are still holding on to our holiday and Christmas movies in DVD form. With two still in VHS form. It’s fun to thrift a Christmas flick to add to the collection and gift in the kids’ December 1st boxes.
Legos
Did you see that Lego now sells ornament Lego kits? That would be a fun activity for a child’s Christmas box or even just a small Lego kit. (Psst…the sleigh Lego below is Rowan’s Christmas present this year…don’t tell her).
Tickets
A staple in our boxes are tickets to any planned Christmas activities. This year’s schedule includes one Polar Express train ride for a couple of girls. Since most tickets are digital these days, I’ll craft a note or make a ticket to include in their box.
Family Games
We’re entering our family game era and I’ve been searching for holiday themed games, like Christmas charade cards, to include. Other Christmas or holiday themed games would be fun too if you’re in the market for a game.
Stationary
Make writing those letters to Santa extra special with some fun Christmas stationary or a fancy red pen.
Things To Pamper
Bath Bomb
Bubbles or bath bombs are fun treats for kids. Our girls enjoy them as special holiday treat, so I’ll find something holiday-scented to include.
Essential Oil
For the essential oil lovers, add a new oil blend. If this mom had a box, the Christmas Spirit essential oil blend would be in it yearly. It’s my version of a holiday candle.
Lotion
If your child is in need of new lotion, find a holiday scented one they will love. Personally, I like getting unscented lotions and making my own scents with essential oils but to each their own.
Festive Nail Polish
Rowan loves to paint her nails. She usually gets one bottle of a springtime shade at Easter and a wintery color in her Christmas kickoff box.
Nail Art
Don’t underestimate the power of Rudolph nail stickers with young children.
Toothbrush
If your kids need a toothbrush, make it special and give them one in their box. I know it’s a commodity, but sometimes the presentation makes something seem more giftable.
Things To Cozy Up With
Fuzzy Blanket
Fuzzy, holiday blankets are everywhere and very inexpensive. If the dog ate your old fuzzy blanket and it’s time for a new one (speaking from experience) give it this December.
Winter Pillowcase
This is on my list for this year’s December 1st boxes. The girls now share a room and have bunk beds. They’re always cold and I’ve been thinking of getting them some flannel sheets or pillowcases for the winter. I may include a flannel pillowcase in each of their boxes.
Stuffed Animal
I know most families have stuffed animals coming out of their ears, but sometimes your daughter is bonkers for Rudolph, and a reindeer stuffy is magic to her. True story. It makes a great gift for a kids’ Christmas box.
Speaking of boxes…
Choose A Special Box
The box is important too. Here are three ideas from the simplest form to the most extravagant. I’m somewhere in the middle.
Wrap A Cardboard Box
The simplest option is to roundup the stash of Amazon boxes in your garage, find one that fits the items you want to include, and wrap it like you would a Christmas present. Easy peasy.
Reusable Gift Box
The middle-of-the-road option is to use a reusable gift box. This is what I do.
I have four Sugar Paper boxes from Target that I reuse year after year. I also reuse the ribbon, tags, and tissue paper, which I just pack away inside the box when I’m done with them. As a bonus, they also work great for our family’s Christmas Eve boxes.
Engraved Wooden Box
The extra version, which I someday want to do when the budget isn’t so tight, is to get special boxes with each family member’s name engraved on it. I know it’s EXTRA extra but how special is that? Plus, the boxes become family heirlooms. This Christmas box on Etsy is my current favorite.
So go out, channel all that Martha Stewart Christmas energy, and craft some magic for your children and start a new holiday tradition. If not, that’s fine.
Pssst…So tell me, do you put together a Christmas kickoff box or a 1st of December box? If so, what’s your go-to item to include?
