The Christmas Eve Toy Assembly Kit Every Parent Needs
A Christmas eve toy assembly kit makes getting presents ready for Christmas morning easy! Image credit: Daisies in Clover
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The time between when the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve and the time they wake up Christmas morning is a mad dash for parents, and the last-minute gift wrapping and toy assembly can become overwhelming. If you’re like me, you’re stuck searching for the right screwdriver, because none of the ones you already own are the right size for that one battery pack cover. Or, you’re all out of tape and can’t find the good scissors.
A dedicated Santa's toolbox you pack ahead of time can fix all those problems and get you ready for bed at a (somewhat) reasonable hour. Pack it a few weeks ahead of time, tuck it in a closet, and you'll have everything within reach the moment the house goes quiet. Start with a traditional toolbox, a tacklebox, or a simple plastic storage bin. Here's what belongs inside.
Screwdrivers in Multiple Sizes and Types
You never know how many battery covers you'll be removing or how many pieces of a play kitchen need to be screwed into place before morning. The best choice is a screwdriver set that has Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers in a few different sizes (the smaller the better, even if you’re assembling infant toys). An interchangeable ratcheting screwdriver set is a great choice, but also consider investing in an eyeglass repair kit. They come with the smallest of screwdrivers, so they’re perfect for removing tiny screws.
Tape and Scissors for Last-Minute Christmas Gift Wrapping
Every year, my scissors and tape go missing. The kids gab them for school projects or they just get lost in the ether for no apparent reason. I used to end up buying new scissors and tape every Christmas. To avoid this, I have one dedicated pair of scissors and a value-pack of tape that stay in my Christmas wrapping paper bin all year long (the trick here is to not tell anyone they exist… ever). Stock up on tape for the house and for the holidays this year. And, if you want to get a little more creative with your holiday wrapping, try some colorful washi tape instead.
Wire Cutters for Twist Ties and Packaging
If you’ve ever tried to take a superhero action figure out of the box or assemble a Barbie dream house, you’ve run into wires that seem impossible to remove from the packaging. A pair of wire cutters gets through those twist ties and plastic zip ties in seconds. This is a heaven-sent gift for yourself; your kids won’t have to wait to play with their toys and you won’t get into a fight with a cardboard box!
Extra Batteries and a USB Charger
No matter how well you plan, you will never have quite enough batteries on hand. Stock up on AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries to keep in your Christmas-ready toolbox this year (I like to just buy a battery variety pack that has everything included). It’s always helpful to read the packaging for any gifts you buy to see which types of batteries they take, but having extras means that you have enough for all the gifts from Grandma, Grandpa, and all the aunts and uncles in the family too. Some toys may need to be charged with a USB charger, so having an extra charging cable and brick for the wall outlets can mean toys are ready to use right away.
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Box Cutters
Having a sturdy box cutter is useful for more than just Christmas Eve. If you’re the person who does all your shopping online, that means stacks of boxes on your porch throughout the holiday season. Spare the kitchen knives… and your fingers… by adding a good, reliable box cutter to your holiday toolkit. Designs with a retractable blade help prevent accidents and offer a little added peace of mind.
A Manual Can Opener for Blister Packs
This one might come as a surprise, but I swear by it for gifts that come in plastic blister packaging. A manual can opener is the best option for opening packaged headphones, kitchen gadgets (oddly enough, manual can openers come in these packages all the time), and small action figures come sealed in. Clamp it onto the edge and roll it around until the seam gives way. Purchase one just for this purpose that stays in your holiday toolkit so you’re not damaging the one you already have in the kitchen.
A Magnetic Pickup Tool for Loose Screws
If you’ve ever opened a package of hardware for a ready-to-assemble toy, you know the misery that comes with spilling the screws and nuts on the floor. A telescoping magnetic pickup tool is the perfect tool to help you find all the missing pieces, even if they fall into the carpet. Keep a small container or baggie in the toolbox too, so any extra screws or parts have somewhere to live once you're done.
A Small First Aid Kit
Paper cuts from wrapping too many presents, bruises from when you drop that one piece of the bike you’re assembling on your foot… accidents happen when you’re making Christmas magic happen. A small first aid kit in your Christmas toy assembly tool kit can prevent late-night raids of the bathroom vanity for Band-Aids and ice packs. Be sure to restock it every year before Christmas Eve so you’re all set and ready for the night.
Other Christmas Eve Essentials to Consider
Not everything in the kit has to be a physical tool. Having a few extra essentials packed inside can ensure you have everything you need to finish wrapping those last few presents. A few extras to consider include:
Extra pens for filling out gift tags
Extra gift tags (because you always seem to run out with just a couple of presents to go)
Gift card holders for those last-minute gifts you forgot you needed to buy
Tissue paper for filling gift bags that are too big for the gifts you stashed inside
Why A Christmas Eve Toy Assembly Toolbox is Worth It
You probably already own most of these tools, but they may all be spread out in different places throughout your house. The tape is probably in a junk drawer somewhere, while the screwdriver set might be in the garage (or maybe stuffed in a closet somewhere). Having a toy assembly kit means you have everything in one place, year after year. Store it with the wrapping paper and the decorations when you transition away from the Christmas season, and rest easy knowing it’s ready to go for the next year.
Once you have your kit together, you’ll only need to replenish a few things each year (the tape, the first aid kit, batteries, etc.). This isn’t a recurring expense, but spending a little on the right tools once will save you years of headaches down the road.
