Christmas is the best time of year for many children and adults, but it is easy for adults to get bogged down in the busyness and expense involved. It is worth remembering that Christmas should be a time for togetherness with the family, and that much of the magic comes from children themselves. Read on for seven tips for parents to make this Christmas extra magical for their kids.
- Read/watch some classic Christmas stories
There are some wonderful stories, classic and new, which bring the spirit of Christmas to life and highlight the traditions of love and generosity. Why not read a different book (or a chapter) each night in December? Getting cosy with some hot chocolate, cookies, and Christmas movies is the perfect way to spend a winter’s evening.
- See a Christmas parade
Even if you do not live in a big city, there are plenty of Christmas parades, markets, parties, and carol singers/bands around in December, so find your nearest events and join in the fun. If nothing else, go out on a hunt for Christmas lights and see if you can decide which house, street, or building has the most magical display.
- Write letters to Santa
Writing a letter to Santa is a great activity as it brings the magic to life and gives you a keepsake you can treasure forever. It can also help to focus children on the main present or presents they would like, which can really help busy parents faced with multiple sheets of Christmas wishes.
- Visit Santa
Making the annual trip to see Santa and his elves at your local grotto is a memory that many children treasure into adulthood, long after they have given up believing. If you are not able to physically visit a Santa, you can try sending video messages to Santa via a website/app like Portable North Pole or Package From Santa.
- Track Santa on Christmas Eve
The Internet has brought in a new Christmas tradition: ‘tracking’ Santa as he travels across the globe on Christmas Eve. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has tracked Santa for over 50 years, but Google also has its own Santa tracker.
- Open goodies on Christmas Eve
Obviously, a big part of the magic of Christmas for kids is waking up at the crack of dawn and rushing to see if Santa has left a big pile of presents under the tree. Another tradition that is increasing in popularity is giving children Christmas Eve boxes. These boxes are filled with small edible treats, maybe a bedtime story, new pajamas, and anything else which will send them to bed with a smile on their face and encourage them to get cozy.
- Leave treats for Santa and his reindeer
Get the kids involved in making some treats which you can leave out for Santa. Whether you leave mince pies and a shot of whisky, cookies and milk, or whatever else you think Santa would like when he visits, be sure to leave the plate and some crumbs and some squashed carrot outside so the kids can see the ‘evidence’ in the morning. You could also sprinkle some icing sugar on the floor and make some Santa-sized footprints near the door or fireplace.