Is it just my house, or do kids start asking to open Christmas presents the minute they see the first wrapped gift under the tree? 😂
“Mom, can I open just ONE?”
And somehow, that one question gets asked approximately 47 times before Christmas morning.
I love making Christmas magical for my son, but I also know how quickly the toys pile up. Between birthdays, holidays, and all those little surprises throughout the year, sometimes the last thing our house needs is another toy.
That’s why I love the idea of Christmas gifts kids can open early—little surprises they can actually enjoy throughout December instead of waiting until Christmas Day.
Think cozy Christmas pajamas, holiday crafts, baking activities, festive traditions, and simple family experiences that make the season feel extra special.
Whether you’re looking for non-toy Christmas gifts, early presents from Santa, or something fun for your Elf on the Shelf to bring, these 25 ideas are all about creating memories without adding more clutter.
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25 Christmas Gifts Kids Can Open Early
1. Matching Christmas Pajamas
There’s something ridiculously cute about seeing your kids running around in Christmas pajamas before December even begins.
Instead of saving them for Christmas Eve, let the kids open their festive pajamas early so they can wear them for movie nights, Christmas baking, and lazy December mornings.
Bonus points if the whole family matches!
Shop Matching Christmas Pajamas on Amazon →
2. Christmas Bedtime Story Bundle
One of my favorite ways to make December feel special is adding Christmas stories to our bedtime routine.
Wrap two or three festive books together and let your child choose which one to read each night.
It’s simple, cozy, and gives you a few extra minutes together before bedtime.
Shop Christmas Books for Kids on Amazon →
3. Cozy Holiday Slippers
Little feet deserve some Christmas magic, too!
A pair of fluffy holiday slippers is a practical gift that still feels exciting, especially when they feature reindeer, Santa, or a favorite Christmas character.
Pair them with Christmas pajamas for an adorable early holiday surprise.
Shop Christmas Slippers for Kids on Amazon →
4. Winter Adventure Set
If your family enjoys Christmas light displays, outdoor holiday markets, or snowy adventures, a winter accessory set makes a useful early gift.
Wrap a cute beanie, cozy mittens, and matching scarf together.
It’s something kids can wear immediately, which makes it one of those practical Christmas gifts kids can open early.
Shop Winter Accessories for Kids on Amazon →
5. Personalized Christmas Water Bottle
Kids love having something with their name on it, even when it’s something as ordinary as a water bottle.
A personalized Christmas water bottle is perfect for school, holiday outings, and road trips.
Choose a festive design or their favorite color so they’ll want to carry it everywhere.
Shop Personalized Kids Water Bottles on Amazon →
Christmas Activities Kids Can Unwrap Early
6. Christmas Cookie Decorating Kit
If there’s one holiday activity that gets kids excited, it’s decorating cookies.
Give them Christmas cookie cutters, colorful icing, and festive sprinkles wrapped together.
Then spend an afternoon making cookies that probably won’t look anything like the Pinterest inspiration. 😂
That’s half the fun!
Shop Christmas Cookie Decorating Kits on Amazon →
7. Christmas Painting Kit
For kids who love arts and crafts, a Christmas painting kit makes a wonderful early surprise.
Look for holiday-themed wooden shapes, canvas paintings, or watercolor activities.
They’ll have something creative to enjoy during Christmas break, and you might even end up with a handmade decoration worth keeping.
Shop Christmas Painting Kits for Kids on Amazon →
8. Christmas Scavenger Hunt Cards
Want something that gets everyone moving and adds a little extra Christmas magic?
A Christmas scavenger hunt is such a fun way to keep kids entertained during the holidays! Hide clues around the house near the Christmas tree, stockings, ornaments, and other festive spots, then watch the excitement as they race to find the next one.
And here’s something I’ve made just for you! ❤️
I created a Christmas Scavenger Hunt Printable available right here on MommyRo! It includes fun rhyming clue cards that turn an ordinary afternoon into a little Christmas treasure hunt.
Just download, print, cut out the cards, and hide them around the house. It’s an easy, budget-friendly Christmas activity that’s perfect for family game nights, holiday parties, or a special surprise from your Elf on the Shelf.
🎁 Get My Christmas Scavenger Hunt Printable Here →
It’s a sweet way to create Christmas memories without adding another toy to the pile!
9. Make-Your-Own Christmas Ornament Kit
I love Christmas decorations that have little memories attached to them.
An ornament decorating kit lets kids paint, color, or personalize their own decorations.
Years later, you’ll probably still be hanging that slightly crooked ornament on the tree because your child made it.
Those are always my favorites.
Shop Christmas Ornament Craft Kits on Amazon →
10. Christmas Scratch-Art Activity Set
Scratch-art kits are such an easy activity for kids who love creating things.
They can scratch away the dark coating to reveal colorful Christmas designs underneath.
It’s also a nice option for holiday travel, quiet afternoons, or keeping little hands busy while you’re preparing Christmas dinner.
Shop Christmas Scratch-Art Kits on Amazon →
Christmas Gifts That Turn Into Family Memories
11. Christmas Movie Night Ticket Box
Instead of wrapping another toy, wrap a family movie night!
Fill a small box with homemade movie tickets, popcorn, and a few favorite Christmas treats.
Let your child choose the movie, grab some blankets, and make a cozy evening out of it.
Shop Christmas Movie Night Supplies on Amazon:
12. North Pole Hot Chocolate Kit
Hot chocolate somehow tastes better when it’s Christmas-themed.
Put together a little kit with cocoa packets, marshmallows, candy canes, and a festive mug.
It’s one of those Christmas gifts kids can open early that turns an ordinary evening into something memorable.
Shop Christmas Hot Chocolate Gift Sets on Amazon →
13. Christmas Lights Adventure Pass
This might be one of my favorite ideas because the actual gift is spending time together.
Create a homemade ticket that says, “You’re invited to a Christmas lights adventure!”
Wrap it in a little box and surprise your child with a family drive or walk to see beautiful holiday displays.
14. Gingerbread Village Decorating Kit
Instead of decorating one gingerbread house, why not make an entire little village?
Kids can decorate several miniature houses with frosting, candy, and whatever creative ideas they come up with.
Just be prepared for more candy to end up in their mouths than on the houses. 😂
Shop Gingerbread Village Kits on Amazon →
15. Christmas Baking Date With Mom
Sometimes the sweetest gift isn’t really a thing.
Wrap a Christmas cookie cutter, festive recipe card, and a handwritten invitation for a baking date together.
Let your child help measure, stir, decorate, and taste-test everything.
The cookies might disappear, but the memories are worth keeping.
Shop Christmas Cookie Cutter on Amazon →
Small Christmas Surprises That Aren’t Toys
16. Personalized Christmas Stocking
Let your child open a special Christmas stocking with their name embroidered on it.
They can hang it up themselves and look forward to discovering what’s inside on Christmas morning.
It’s also something you can bring out year after year.
Shop Personalized Christmas Stockings on Amazon →
17. Christmas Temporary Tattoos
Sometimes the smallest gifts bring the biggest smiles.
Christmas temporary tattoos featuring snowmen, reindeer, Santa, or snowflakes are inexpensive and fun.
They’re perfect for holiday parties, Christmas dress-up days, or simply making an ordinary afternoon feel festive.
Shop Christmas Temporary Tattoos on Amazon →
18. Christmas Joke Cards
If your child loves making everyone laugh, Christmas joke cards are a cute little surprise.
They can share silly holiday jokes at dinner, during car rides, or with family members.
And yes, you’ll probably hear the same joke approximately 25 times. 😂
Shop Christmas Joke Cards for Kids on Amazon →
19. Christmas Character Toothbrush
A toothbrush might sound like a boring gift, but give it a Christmas character and suddenly it’s exciting.
Choose a festive toothbrush featuring Santa, snowmen, or a favorite holiday character.
It’s practical, affordable, and something kids will use throughout the season.
Shop Christmas Toothbrushes for Kids on Amazon →
20. Holiday Stamp and Card-Making Set
One of the sweetest Christmas activities is helping kids make cards for people they love.
A holiday stamp set with festive ink pads and blank cards gives them everything they need to get creative.
Grandparents especially tend to treasure handmade Christmas cards.
Shop Christmas Stamp Craft Sets on Amazon →
Magical Christmas Traditions Kids Can Open Early
21. Christmas Kindness Countdown
Christmas doesn’t have to be only about receiving presents.
Create a kindness countdown filled with simple activities like making a card for someone, donating a gently used toy, or helping a neighbor.
It’s a meaningful way to teach kids that giving can feel just as magical.
Shop Christmas Kindness Advent Calendars on Amazon →
22. Letter-to-Santa Writing Kit
Turn writing a Christmas wish list into a special little tradition.
Wrap festive stationery, stickers, envelopes, and a cute pencil together.
Then sit down with your child and help them write their letter to Santa.
Shop Letter-to-Santa Writing Kits on Amazon →
23. A Special Christmas Ornament
Every Christmas deserves at least one little keepsake.
Choose an ornament that represents something meaningful from your child’s year, whether it’s a favorite hobby, milestone, or special memory.
As they grow older, those ornaments become tiny reminders of their childhood.
Shop Personalized Christmas Ornaments on Amazon →
24. Christmas Adventure Coupon Book
This is such a fun option if you’re trying to create more memories without spending a fortune.
Make little coupons for Christmas movie nights, baking cookies, holiday dance parties, or visiting a Christmas display.
Let your child redeem them throughout December.
Shop Christmas Coupon Book Supplies on Amazon →
25. Make-Your-Own Christmas Countdown Chain
There’s something so exciting about watching the days until Christmas slowly disappear.
Give your child colorful paper strips, stickers, and supplies to create their own Christmas countdown chain.
Every morning, they get to remove one link until Christmas finally arrives.
Simple? Absolutely. Magical to a child? Definitely.
Shop Christmas Countdown Craft Kits on Amazon:
Why I Love Giving Christmas Presents Early
The best Christmas gifts kids can open early aren’t necessarily expensive or elaborate.
Sometimes it’s a pair of pajamas they’ll wear all month. Sometimes it’s a cookie decorating kit that leaves frosting everywhere.
And sometimes it’s just a little invitation to spend an afternoon together.
I think we put so much pressure on ourselves as parents to make Christmas absolutely perfect that we forget how much kids enjoy the simplest things.
They don’t need a brand-new activity every day of December.
They don’t need expensive gifts to feel excited.
And they definitely don’t need every Christmas memory to look Pinterest-perfect.
A few thoughtful surprises, a little family time, and some traditions they can look forward to each year are more than enough.
How to Make Early Christmas Gifts Feel Extra Special
You don’t need fancy wrapping paper or a giant gift basket.
I love the idea of wrapping a few small surprises and letting kids open one every weekend leading up to Christmas.
You could also let your Elf on the Shelf deliver a special activity, create a December surprise basket, or make the first day of December your family’s official Christmas kickoff.
And if your kids are anything like mine, the excitement of opening the wrapping paper might be half the fun anyway. 😂
Choose what works for your family’s schedule and budget.
More Christmas Gift Ideas on MommyRo 🎄
Still working on your Christmas shopping list? I’ve got you covered! Here are more Christmas gift guides from MommyRo to help you find thoughtful, fun, and practical gifts for everyone on your list.
- 🎁 15 Best Christmas Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- 🎀 15 Best Gifts for Girls Ages 5–8
- 🚗 15 Best Gifts for Boys Ages 5–8
- 💕 15 Best Gifts for Tween Girls
- 🎮 15 Best Gifts for Tween Boys
- 🎅 15 Best Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers
- 🎄 15 Best Stocking Stuffers for Girls
- 🎁 15 Best Stocking Stuffers for Boys
- 🤍 15 Best Christmas Gifts for Moms
- 🍼 21 Best Gifts for New Moms
Save these gift guides for later! Whether you’re shopping for toddlers, big kids, tweens, or moms, I hope these ideas make your holiday shopping a little easier and a lot more fun. ❤️
I also share more Amazon Christmas finds, kids’ activities, seasonal favorites, and family gift ideas in my Amazon Storefront.
Browse My Amazon Storefront for More Christmas Finds →
And before you go, subscribe to MommyRo for new gift guides, seasonal inspiration, and family-friendly finds.
Don’t forget to follow MommyRo on Pinterest, where you can save Christmas gift ideas, holiday activities, and festive inspiration for later.
Because childhood Christmases go by way too quickly, and making a little extra magic along the way is something I’ll never regret. 🤍
