Capturing the Joy of Christmas - Festive Activities for a Young Family
/As the festive season approaches, there’s nothing quite like the magic of Christmas to bring warmth and joy to our homes. For families with young children, creating cherished memories during this time of year is a heartwarming tradition.
So, gather your little ones close, because we’re about to embark on a magical journey of Christmas activities right in the comfort of your home.
Deck the Halls
The first step to a memorable Christmas is decorating your home together as a family. Let your little elves assist in hanging baubles, stringing up lights, and adorning the Christmas tree. Don’t forget to blast some classic carols in the background to set the mood. Watching their faces light up as they place ornaments on the tree is priceless. My top tip if you like your tree to look cor-ordinated and gorgeous and don’t trust your toddlers to meet the brief, is to give the kids their own tree to decorate. Adding a smaller tree that’s just for them, make it extra special for everyone!
And don’t worry if you re-arrange it all once they’re in bed - we all do it!
Crafting Holiday Magic
Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like homemade decorations. Gather some crafting supplies, and get creative with your young ones. Create paper snowflakes, handprint reindeer, or even make your own Christmas cards. The possibilities are endless, and the fun is guaranteed. There are tons of tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube so you’re bound to find something that takes your fancy. My top tip is to avoid anything that includes glitter – you’ll be finding it until Easter.
Not very crafty? There’s some really simple and inexpensive craft sets in The Range to make your life a lot easier!
Letter to Santa
Now, here comes a classic and heartfelt tradition – writing a letter to Santa Claus. Set up a cosy spot with pens, paper, and colourful stickers. Encourage your little ones to express their Christmas wishes and gratitude in their own words. It’s a beautiful way to teach them the spirit of giving and appreciation.
I used to leave a letter to Santa on my bedroom door letting him know I didn’t eat nuts so please don’t leave any in my stocking.
There’s then nothing more beautiful than seeing their little faces when they actually receive a letter back from The North Pole. I’ve created a beautiful Letter From Santa that you can print and then personalise with your child’s name. These look so lovely when printed on some heavy card and tied in a scroll with a ribbon.
Baking Bliss
The aroma of freshly baked cookies and the warmth of a festive kitchen – what could be better? Involve your little ones in baking Christmas cookies or a gingerbread houses. Let them have fun decorating their culinary creations with icing, sprinkles, and all things sweet. These treats make perfect gifts for friends and family too! Remember to take lots of photographs. Baking and being in the kitchen are fantastic opportunities for smiling faces as well as messy fun.
Baking not your thing? There’s nothing wrong with a pre-made ginger bread house kit or melting chocolate with rice crispies and some pre-made festive decorations.
Movie Night
Snuggle up with cosy blankets, hot chocolate, and a selection of classic Christmas movies. From “Home Alone” to “The Polar Express,” there’s no shortage of heartwarming films to enjoy together. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy day of festive activities. You can’t go wrong with Elf or for us it’s A Muppet’s Christmas Carol.
Advent Calendar Excitement
Counting down the days until Christmas has never been more exciting! There are so many different Advent Calendar options now, from sweet treats to toys. It’s also a lovely tradition to have a ‘reverse advent calendar’ The way this works is to put 1 or 2 food items or treats in a box every day in the days leading up to Christmas Day. you’ll end up with a lovely donation for your local food bank, which you can donate in the first week of January when lots of food banks struggle for donations.
I’m in my late 30s and it’s still a tradition for my mum to buy us our advent calendars!
Virtual Christmas Cheer
For those who can’t be with extended family this year, consider hosting a virtual Christmas gathering. Arrange a video call so that your loved ones can still share the magic of the season, even from afar. It’s a wonderful way to bridge the gap and spread some virtual hugs and smiles.
Bedtime Stories and Sweet Dreams
End the day with a Christmas bedtime story. Reading tales of festive adventures and Santa’s magical journey can fuel your children’s imaginations and ensure they go to bed with hearts full of wonder.
