Princess Mary gift boxes were sent as Christmas gifts to those serving in the armed forces in 1914. The initiative was conceived by Princess Mary and paid for by a public fund that she supported. Brass embossed boxes depicting a profile of the princess and containing a selection of items including a Christmas card, photograph of the princess, tobacco, cigarettes and stationary were sent out to sailors, soldiers and nurses. The boxes were not standardised as the cultural background of the recipient was taken into consideration. For example, nurses received chocolate instead of tobacco and Indian troops whose religious beliefs did not allow tobacco were given sweets and spices.

These two examples in the Royal Collection were found in different conditions, one remains in tact, encrusted with the earth of the trench it was found in; the other had been shot and the brass has crumpled. Neither retain their original contents.

There is one pristine gift box in the Royal Collection, which still contains its cigarettes and tobacco and can be seen in some of the images here.