Christmas comes but once a year, and so does the most magical night of the year, Christmas Eve. It’s almost more fun than the big day itself, time to put down the wrapping paper, step away from the sellotape, and crack open the mulled wine. Everyone has different traditions on Christmas Eve but they all have one thing in common: they’re about making magical memories and spending time together. So we’ve compiled the definitive list of Christmas Eve traditions, so scroll on down and pick your favourite; you can never have too many!
LIGHT THE WAY
By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, your whole neighbourhood will be lit up like, well, Christmas! So, put on your favourite Christmas jumper or festive PJs, bundle up in coats, gloves, and scarves, and head outside to check out all the twinkling lights. You could even sing Christmas carols or, if you're feeling competitive, challenge your friends and family to a Christmas lights bingo; see who can spot the most snowmen first!
FESTIVE BAKE-OFF
Host your very own GBBO on Christmas Eve, but with a twist. To make it as stress free as possible, whip up a batch of plain cookies, cupcakes, or even a gingerbread house in advance. Then, on Christmas Eve, invite your nearest and dearest and gather an array of icings, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Set a time limit and let everyone's Christmas imagination run wild!
Judge the results with cute categories like 'Most Festive', 'Most Creative', and 'Best Replica of a Christmas Movie Scene'. Trophies are optional but recommended. Don't forget to document the epic creations with plenty of photos before digging in to a Christmas Eve sweet feast.
Ultimate Christmas hot chocolate
The very best way to warm the cockles and get into that cosy festive feel is with a good cup of hot chocolate. Okay, not just a good cup, an amazing cup, the best cup of hot chocolate you’ve ever had; we’re not talking ‘just add water’ here. The first step is to make sure you've got your favourite Christmas mug at the ready, if you don’t own any Christmas mugs yet, may we point you in the direction of our own. Second, you’ll need to find some whipped cream, and marshmallows, but the fancy kind! Now comes the important part, the hot chocolate. We happen to know where you can find the very best hot chocolate around. Pick from super cute stirrers, like this reindeer or our delicious Blendsmiths drinking chocolate sachets mixed with coconut sugar and Himalayan salt. Why not start a new tradition of gifting a hot chocolate TreatBox, so you can share a cosy cup no matter where your favourite people are, just add FaceTime!
CHRISTMAS MOVIE TIME
If you've never indulged in a true Christmas movie marathon, Christmas Eve is the prime time to start! Get the comfiest you’ve ever been, put on your Christmas jammies and cosy socks, grab a selection box and get stuck in. Start light with Home Alone and progress to The Holiday and end the night with Die Hard. It's one of the quickest ways to get into the holiday spirit, never fails! And no festive movie night is complete without your own personalised cup of Christmas cheer for your hot chocolate or mulled wine, it just tastes better right? In fact, we think Christmas movie time is such a great tradition that we've created our very own 'Christmas Movie Mug Trio', with everything you need to cosy on down.
O Christmas tree
Why not make Christmas Eve the night you add that final decoration to your Christmas tree? It's the simple but savoured moments at this time of year that really make it extra special.
Gather everyone around, put your Christmas playlist on, and add that final touch. Maybe it’s the new ornament you bought for the year, maybe it was a homemade beauty or a pre-school masterpiece. And if you want to include everyone in this tradition, gift your loved ones a decoration for their own tree to spread the Christmas cheer!
DIY CHRISTMAS EVE PHOTOSHOOT
Transform a corner of your home into a festive photo studio for a DIY Christmas Eve photoshoot. Set up a backdrop with fairy lights, tinsel, and props like Santa hats or reindeer antlers. Use your phone with a timer or a clicker for your camera to capture fun family portraits you can recreate year after year. Christmas Day goes by so fast it’s easy to forget to take pictures, or at least pictures that are worthy of a frame. By making it a fun tradition, you’ll have some amazing memories to look back on in decades to come!
'Twas the night before Christmas
In many cultures, Christmas Eve is the time for present giving, and a Christmas Eve box is a gorgeous way to unwrap the season of giving. Watch your kids' eyes light up as they open a box of goodies before Santa has even set off. You can include lots of little presents like socks, a Christmas mug, and hot chocolate (our build-your-own boxes are perfect for these).
All the makings for the ultimate Christmas Eve. And for the adults… well, why not treat them to a relaxing Christmas box of their very own, our Gin-gle All The Way TreatBox is the perfect recipe to unwind and de-stress before the chaos of Christmas morning!
CHRISTMAS BOOK FLOOD
One of our favourite festive traditions is the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, which means "Christmas Book Flood". New books are gifted on Christmas Eve so that friends and family can cosy up with a good story as they enter the holiday season, they had us at ‘books’!
We reckon this would go down an absolute treat with a Christmas mug and sock set to add to the cosy vibe! A brilliant and oh-so-thoughtful gift; we’re starting this tradition for ourselves if no-one else does, sounds like the best Christmas Eve ever!
Christmas Eve candlelight service
For those looking for a more spiritual connection, attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service can be a beautiful and moving way to ring in Christmas. Churches all over the country hold these services, where you can light candles, sing carols, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
It's a wonderful way to reflect on the meaning of the season, connect with your community and socialise on Christmas Eve. You could even continue the tradition at home with your own candlelit gathering afterwards, complete with festive scented candles, warm mince pies, and soft carols playing in the background.
MIDNIGHT GIFT HUNT
Add a little extra excitement to Christmas Eve by organising a midnight gift hunt. Hide small presents or clues around the house and garden (weather permitting), then when the clock strikes twelve, let the search begin! This can be especially fun for families with older children or groups of friends. To make it even more festive, use Christmas-themed clues and have a special treat waiting at the end, perhaps a Christmas-themed escape room in a box or a festive puzzle to solve together.
CHRISTMAS EVE TIME CAPSULE
Why not start the tradition of creating a Christmas Eve time capsule? Gather everyone together to write down their favourite moments from the past year, their hopes for the coming one, and maybe even special messages to their future selves. You could also include photos, small mementos, or predictions for the future. Seal it all in a festive box or wrap it up like a gift to be opened the following Christmas Eve. It's a super simple but special way to reflect on the year and create a treasure trail of memories to look back on in years to come.
Whatever your Christmas Eve traditions, whether they’re decades old or you’re in the market for something new, they’re the perfect way to savour the season and make memories. So what do you think? See anything in our list you’ll add to your Christmas Eve festivities? If only we had enough hours in the day to fit them all in!
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