There are so many Christmas traditions to start with your child, but rather than trying to do every single one, the only one you really need to do is the Santa plates for Christmas Eve. Whether you use an old family tray or are looking for a new one to use every year with your little ones, it's the one tradition your children will grow up loving.
Popping a mince pie, glass of milk and carrot on a Christmas Eve plate or tray is so simple, but it's such a magical moment for children and will become one of their favourite parts of Christmas, including popping those all important first baubles and decors on the tree.
Best Christmas Eve plates at a glance
Little ones will love running to their Santa plates to find he's eaten the snacks they left out for him and his reindeers. From personalised Santa plates to traditional designed trays, who knew so much magic could come from such a simple item?
Best wooden Santa plate for Christmas eve
Image: My 1st Yearswww.my1styears.com
This sweet and stylish Personalised Santa Christmas Platter from My 1st Years is the perfect plate for Santa's treats this Christmas Eve. With a painted festive design, the bamboo plate can also be personalised with names or initials, for a little bit more of a personal touch.
Pros
| Dimensions: | 22.5 x 1.5cm |
| Material: | Bamboo |
| Dishwasher safe: | No, wipe clean only |
- Personalisation option
- UV printed
- Painted festive pattern
Best personalised Santa plate for Christmas eve
Image: Seahorse on Not On The High Streetwww.notonthehighstreet.com
A simple design, the Personalised Christmas Eve China Plate or Saucer features the choice of Santa or Rudolph in the centre of the plate. You can then choose a message or name to add on to the plate, along with the option of personalising a message on the back.
Pros
| Large side plate: | 21cm |
| Large saucer: | 17.5cm |
| Material: | Bone china |
- Personalise with name
- Add writing to the back of the plate
- Adjust writing colour
Best multifunctional Santa plate for Christmas Eve
Image: Verywww.very.co.uk
We love that you're not only limited to use these plates for Christmas Eve, but you can use them for serving food on over the festive period too.
The Set of 3 Christmas Even Dishes for Santa, Rudolph and Elves are the perfect sizes for leaving out those festive treats, and if you have more than one little one, they can all help out carrying a plate to leave out! It's also Elf inclusive, as a little thank you to the Elf on the Shelf who might have graced your home throughout December.
Best simple Santa plate for Christmas eve design
Image: Ellie Ellie on Not On The High Streetwww.notonthehighstreet.com
The Tartan Tree Christmas Plate has three trees featured in the middle of the plate, in the colours red and blue. It's a simple design with text that looks hand written, and you can personalise it with a name for who the Christmas Eve treats are from.
Pros
| Dimensions: | 20.5cm |
| Material: | Ceramic |
| Dishwasher safe: | N/A |
- Personalised
Best Santa tray for Christmas eve
Image: Print4you on Etsywww.etsy.com
This Personalised Christmas Eve Santa Treat Wooden Board is printed placements for Santa's treats and Rudolph's carrot, along with a personalised name (or names) of choice. It's a lightweight board, making it easy for little hands to hold and carry.
Pros
| Dimensions: | 20 x 1.5 x 30cm |
| Material: | Wood |
| Washing instructions: | Wipe with dry cloth |
- Lightweight
- UV printed
Best shaped Santa plate for Christmas eve
Image: Nextwww.next.co.uk
Beautifully designed, the Red Christmas Eve Star Shaped Plate shows little ones exactly where to place the treats for Santa, and sweetly pictures Father Christmas himself and his best pal Rudolph.
This plate is also dishwasher safe, making it easier to clean after Santa's visit!
Best quirky Santa plate for Christmas eve
Image: Pink Pineapple Homes and Gifts on Not On The High Streetwww.notonthehighstreet.com
What better way for Santa to know where you're leaving his treats than on a plate that looks like him? The Ceramic Cookies For Santa Plate will be treasured by your little ones as they grow up, and is the perfect plate to leave cookies on for Father Christmas!
More about Santa Plates
Do I need a Christmas Eve plate for Santa?
You can use any plate, tray or board to put out a drink and snacks for Santa's arrival. But by having a special Santa plate or tray to use every Christmas eve, will make the moment feel very special for your little one and can even be turned into a family tradition.
Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two aged seven and three, and is currently expecting her third. She loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.