Are your children always begging to open a present before Christmas? Are they pleading with you on Christmas Eve to open just ONE gift? Do you give in or do you know that if they open one they will want to open another?

I heard of an idea to get around this which is to create a Christmas Eve Box. The idea may not be mine but I put my own little twist on it.

First, I created the box. I got a box with a lid, like a photocopier paper box. I gift wrapped the lid and box separately so that we can use the same box every year.

Next, I purchased items that will keep them occupied on Christmas Eve. This varies depending on the age of the children. Colouring books and crayons work for smaller children. I have two daughters aged 11 and 14. I buy them each a pair of pyjamas, some Christmas socks, some underwear, a DVD, a couple of paperback novels, and some pop and chips (these are treats they don’t normally have during the year). Last year I purchased “High School Musical” and my daughters flipped. It was the best gift I could have given them. This year I will be getting “Shrek III”.

Then, I made finding the box an event. The first year I made this box I just handed it to my daughters. Then two years ago I came up with the idea of writing clues for them to find the hidden box. I instructed them to follow the clues in order and not run ahead; they must stick together. The clues are written in poem form and printed on paper which I paste over the original messages of old Christmas cards. Clue numbers are written in black marker on the front of the card. The girls and my husband take turns reading the clues. (It is funny to see how much my husband enjoys playing this game). We live in a 3-level side-split home, which means 4 levels when you include the basement. I make sure they have to run from the bottom level to the top level and back down to the second level and so on. In other words, I have them running all over the house laughing and screaming.

The box must be hidden somewhere where they will not come across it during their hunt. It is large so the hiding place must be big enough to contain it, yet out of the way. The clues are placed in locations like in the oven, the bathroom sink, behind a curtain, in the Christmas tree, etc. I hide the box and place the clues around the house while the family is waiting in the van for me to go for our walk at “Christmas in the Park”. When we return home they are handed the first clue.

Here are a few sample clues to help if you are stumped. I have kept my cards from the first year.

Clue #1:

• It’s Christmas Eve
• Santa has already come.
• He has hidden your box
• Somewhere in your home.
• Follow the clues.

• It’s time to start looking.
• Clue #2 is where Mom
• Does the cooking.

This does not completely give away where the next clue is. They have to search the kitchen to find the next clue.

Clue #2:

• Take your time now.
• Do not rush yourself.
• Clue number 3 is
• On the bookshelf.

We have several bookshelves in different rooms. Again, they have to look and find the third clue and no other clue.

The Last Clue (#11):

• You are almost there.
• You really are hot.
• What heats the house?
• Now that is the spot!!!

And into the furnace room they go! Once they find the box they bring it up to the living room and take off the lid. Excited and anxious they remove each of the items. They put on their new pyjamas, place the movie in the DVD player, break open the pop and chips, and the family spends the rest of Christmas Eve watching a movie and eating munchies. And after that, it’s off to bed to wait for Santa.

Not only does this give the kids something to do on the most exciting night of the year, it spreads Christmas out over more than just the one day. My children have so much fun playing this game and I love watching them. What I love most, though, is the big smiles, hugs and kisses I receive when they head off to bed. It’s the most exciting night of the year for me too!