I don’t know what it’s like in your house, but here at the magical North Pole we pretty much spend our whole year planning for Christmas Day.

Living alongside Santa and all of his Christmas Elves that’s to be expected of course. Even at the beginning of January, the Elves are busy designing and making new toys to give to the girls and boys of the world the following Christmas.

But as much as we love Christmas Day (and we love Christmas Day a LOT) there is something about Christmas Eve that is perhaps even more exciting and magical!

Apart from all the anticipation of Christmas Day, one of the things that makes the day before so memorable is family Christmas Eve traditions.

Snuggling up in Christmas pyjamas left by a departing Elf toy

Top of our list for favourite Christmas Eve traditions is discovering the early Christmas present our Elf toys leave when they say goodbye.

Every year our Christmas Elves, Tommy Tinseltoes and Susie Sparklebot, wait until the kids are sitting quietly – maybe in the bath or reading a Christmas story – then they put out an early present of snuggly Christmas pyjamas, leave their little departure letter (included in the Elf for Christmas reward kit) and, with a jingle of bells, they disappear back to the North Pole.

The kids get so excited to unwrap their present when they hear the jingle bells.

Then we all snuggle up together in our Christmas pjs to watch a film before bedtime. Bliss!

Leave the cooking and order a takeaway

If you’re cooking a big feast on Christmas Day, the last thing you want to do is spend Christmas Eve in the kitchen too!

We like to prepare all our veg for Christmas Day in advance, but once that’s all done, we hang up our aprons and order a takeaway. The kids love it because they feel like they’re the ones having the treat – but it’s just as good for us to be able to put our feet up and tuck in!

Enjoy a good dose of Christmas joy

Few things can warm the cockles like singing along to a few carols at Christmas.

Whether it’s in church, in the street, or even watching on TV, partaking in a good blast of Joy to the World, Ding Dong Merrily or Deck the Halls is always good for the soul and is a lovely Christmas Eve tradition for the whole family.

Get ready to welcome Santa

Of course, Santa knows how to find every child on his Nice List, whether they’re at home or away for Christmas.

But it’s always good to show him how much you appreciate him and the reindeer stopping by – and what could be a better way to do that than to leave him a home-baked treat when you go to bed?

We love digging out a few recipes for kids and letting them get creative in the kitchen. There are some great ideas for super easy and super tasty treats in our Christmas recipes section. (I have it on very good authority that Santa is particularly fond of a Festive Elf Slice.)

 

 

What are your family’s favourite Christmas Eve traditions? How does your Christmas Elf toy say goodbye on Christmas Eve? We’d love to hear! Leave your comments below and let us know.