Personalised Christmas Crates/Boxes: A Magical Tradition to Start This Year
There’s something truly special about the lead-up to Christmas — the excitement in the air, the twinkle of fairy lights, and the joy of family traditions. One of the sweetest traditions growing in popularity across Australia is the Personalised Christmas Crate Plaques (sometimes called a Christmas Eve Box or 1st of December Box).
It’s a simple yet magical way to kick off the festive season and create lasting memories with your little ones.
✨ What Is a Personalised Christmas Crate?
A Personalised Christmas Crate is a keepsake box or wooden crate filled with festive goodies to help your family celebrate the start of Christmas.
Many families gift it on December 1st to mark the beginning of the Christmas countdown, while others present it on Christmas Eve as a fun way to wind down before Santa’s visit.
Each crate is engraved with your child’s name, making it a beautiful keepsake that can be reused year after year — part of the magic that builds anticipation and excitement for the holidays.
What to Include in Your Christmas Crate:
There’s no right or wrong way to fill your Christmas crate — it’s all about what makes your family smile. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Christmas Pyjamas:
A fresh pair of Christmas-themed PJs is a must! Perfect for bedtime photos, opening presents, or snuggling up for a Christmas movie night. Why not get matching family PJ's this is a really popular idea at the moment and available in many stores.
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A Christmas Book
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- Christmas-themed storybooks, annuals or poems.
- Book of Christmas carols (songbook).
- A small journal for writing down wishes or reflections each year.
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- Treats & Snacks
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- Hot chocolate bomb or sachets.
- Homemade biscuits / cookies.
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Candy cane, lollies or chocolate.
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- A Letter from Santa
A printed or handwritten note from Santa adds an extra sprinkle of magic and makes the crate feel truly personal.
- Christmas Craft Kits / Materials
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- Small craft supplies like pom poms, pipe cleaners, coloured felt, glitter glue, stickers, washi tape.
- Ornament-decorating kits (e.g. plain baubles + paint + glitters).
- Make-your-own felt stocking kits.
- DIY gingerbread house decoration kit.
- Air-dry clay moulds and decorations.
- Mini paint / watercolour sets for making Christmas cards
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Advent Calendar or Advent-style Activities
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- A mini advent calendar (chocolate / small toys / messages) inside the crate.
- A “countdown chain” with daily prompts: something kind to do, something festive to wear, something to read etc.
- Hangable mini envelopes or sachets (1-24) that you can fill with small treats or activity cards.
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Experience & Family Togetherness Items
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- A DVD or streaming movie rental / movie night voucher.
- Board game or card game for the family.
- Hot chocolate mix + special Christmas mugs.
- Baking supplies (cookie cutters, sprinkles) so you can bake together.
- A Christmas playlist or song suggestions to play together
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Useful & Fun Extras
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- Reindeer food (for fun outside activity).
- Christmas themed bath bomb or bubble bath.
- Glow sticks or fairy lights for atmosphere.
- Personalised Santa key or plate for Santa or reindeer traditions.
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Why You’ll Love This Tradition
- Creates lasting memories your children will look forward to every year.
- Encourages mindfulness around gift-giving — it’s about experience, not excess.
- Reusable and sustainable — a keepsake you’ll treasure for years.
- Adds a touch of magic to your Christmas countdown, whether it’s on December 1st or Christmas Eve.
Make It Personal
Our Personalised Christmas Crate Plaques are crafted from beautiful natural timber, laser-engraved with your child’s name, and built to last through many Christmases to come.
Where can I get the actual Crate from?
There are several places where you can purchase Christmas crates yourself, which is a great way to save money—especially since crates can be expensive to ship. Some popular options include Spotlight, Kmart, Officeworks, and Bunnings, depending on the size you’re after.
The personalised plaques I create are designed to fit best with the Spotlight crate. From my own research, I’ve found that the Bunnings crates tend to be oversized, while the Officeworks ones are a little too flimsy. Spotlight’s crates, on the other hand, are the perfect size and also the most affordable option.
Click this link for the crates at Spotlight.
Start Your Own Family Tradition:
Whether you fill it on the 1st of December or the night before Christmas, a Personalised Christmas Crate is more than just a box — it’s the beginning of a cherished family ritual that grows with your children.
Start yours this year and bring a little more joy, sparkle, and magic to your festive season.