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With the anticipation of presents, pudding, and Santa, the excitement of Christmas Eve can leave you feeling wide awake. Here are our tips on how to get a better night's sleep ahead of the big day.
8 Min Read | By Chris Clark
Last Modified 1 December 2025 First Added 8 November 2023
With the countdown to Christmas in full swing, the holiday season has begun. However, between festive parties, wrapping gifts, stuffing stockings, and ensuring that everything is ready for Santa, you might find it hard to sleep this time of year. Whether it’s endless to-do lists or pre-holiday jitters, prioritising sleep helps you feel refreshed on Christmas Day.
To help you wake up merry, we’ve put together our top tips on how to get to sleep on Christmas Eve, as well as how to help kids sleep on Christmas Eve, so that everyone can enjoy a restful night.
In our Sleep Survey, 31% of respondents reported that they found it harder to fall asleep after a day of stress. And which day is more stressful than Christmas Eve? Apart from those lucky, organised few who have everything ready, most of us run around like headless chickens trying to tie up loose ends before the big day.
There’s a mix of both negative and positive emotions, especially around an important holiday like Christmas. Many of us remember the giddy excitement we had as children. But as adults, this can often be replaced with feelings of stress and anxiety, making it hard to switch off at the end of the day. Here are just some of the reasons that Christmas Eve can cause us to experience sleep difficulties:
The stress we feel around Christmas is often self-imposed because we pressure ourselves to ensure everyone is having a good time. It’s essential to remember to check in with yourself and try to enjoy the festivities as well.
If you struggle to doze off on Christmas Eve and want to be well-rested for the festivities, we’re here to help. Whatever the cause of your sleep issues, here are our top tips for getting you in the right headspace for snoozing:
The excitement of Christmas can leave us all feeling a bit hyper, making sleep tricky. Skipping caffeine in the afternoon is one of the simplest ways to ensure a restful night. Coffee stimulates the brain, boosts adrenaline, and blocks sleep-inducing chemicals, lingering for hours in your system. Aim to have your last festive latte by 2 pm to give your body enough time to wind down, so you can enjoy a calm, restful sleep on Christmas Eve.
Try to fill Christmas Eve with activities and tasks so that the energy you expend during the day sends you into a deep slumber. Swap some Christmas movies for baking, a winter walk, or Christmas prep. Making a to-do list for shopping, wrapping, cooking, and decorating can keep your day productive. By nighttime, you’ll be ready for rest, making it easier to drift into a deep, peaceful sleep.
If you’re one of those last-minute wrappers who spend all night putting the finishing touches on gifts to go under the tree, or find yourself rushing to the shops for forgotten parsnips, try to plan ahead. Leaving things till the last minute can be time-consuming and cause unnecessary stress, which can keep you up at night. To make Christmas Eve more enjoyable, set aside time throughout the month to prepare so that everything’s ready beforehand and you can relax and enjoy the day.
If you’re hosting Christmas dinner, don’t leave the prep until the big day. Instead of worrying about everything you need to do on Christmas morning, aim to do it the night before and enjoy a well-earned Christmas Day lie-in (if your kids allow it).
To ensure your vegetables stay fresh, peel them and store them in a sealed container in the fridge overnight. Don’t worry; they’ll still taste just as delicious. Keeping your mind active by ticking tasks off your to-do list on Christmas Eve will help you relax when you get into bed.
Sticking to your usual sleep routine on Christmas Eve will psychologically prepare you for sleep. A strong evening routine is important for kids and adults to build healthy sleep habits. Listen to your body and remember to take the time to wind down so you can be at your best on Christmas morning. Try some relaxing activities, such as taking a warm bath, putting on your Christmas PJs, having a warm festive drink, or watching your favourite Christmas movie.
It’s hard not to indulge on Christmas Eve, but if you struggle to sleep, cutting back on sugar can help. Sugar acts as a stimulant, keeping your brain alert when it should be winding down. Swap a sugary hot chocolate for a warm milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon – a comforting, festive treat that’s perfect for easing you into a peaceful night’s sleep.
Discover more drinks and bedtime snacks to help you sleep on the Sleep Matters blog.
If falling asleep on Christmas Eve feels tricky, simple breathing exercises can relax your nervous system and prepare you for rest. Or, for a more structured approach, the military method: relax each part of your body, clear your mind, and visualise a peaceful scene. Experiment to find what works best for you.
Read our article on how to get to sleep fast for more sleep hacks and relaxation methods.
A tidy bedroom helps create a calm mind, so declutter before bed to avoid Christmas morning chores. Prepare your room for sleep by turning off fairy lights and ensuring a comfortable temperature. If you’re someone who struggles to sleep in silence, try some soothing music or sounds to help you sleep – just steer clear of upbeat Christmas tunes.
An hour before heading off to bed, try to limit your exposure to light by avoiding screens or lowering your brightness. Blue light emitted from screens can disrupt the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder to drift off. Instead, try listening to an audiobook or podcast, or reading a Christmas bedtime story to help you get into the festive mood while preparing for sleep.
If you find yourself tossing and turning on Christmas Eve, take a leaf out of Santa’s book and make a list (and check it twice). Writing everything down reassures you that nothing will be forgotten, which eases your mind and helps you drift off. Plus, it keeps you organised for the busy day ahead, so you can wake up feeling calm and ready to enjoy the festivities.
While a festive tipple can feel like part of the fun, alcohol can actually disrupt sleep. It may initially make you drowsy, but it often leads to restless nights and lighter sleep later. To enjoy the celebrations without compromising your shut-eye, try limiting alcohol in the evening or switching to a non-alcoholic festive drink. Your body and your sleep will thank you come Christmas morning.
Children often become very excited for Christmas, especially the day before, as they wait for Santa to come and think about opening presents the next day. This can make it hard for them to sleep on Christmas Eve. Here are some tips and tricks to help them wind down and get to lights out before Santa comes.
With a few simple strategies, a calm bedroom, and a little festive planning, you can turn Christmas Eve into a night of restful sleep. By winding down, limiting distractions, both adults and children can wake up refreshed and full of energy to enjoy the magic of Christmas morning. Sweet dreams and a very merry Christmas!
See all articles by Chris Clark
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