Fun and festive ways to keep little ones entertained ahead of the big day
Posted: 2 November 2011
by Amanda Pauley
1) Decorating her bedroom…
“This is my first Christmas with my baby girl and I already know how I’m going to make it extra special. I’ll turn her room into a winter wonderland, covering it in fairy lights, homemade snowflakes and some festive characters so that she knows it’s a special time.”
Becky Bailey-Cummins, 24, from Dartford, mum to Jessica, 23 weeks
2) Reading Christmas books…
“Reading books with a Christmas theme is a fab way of preparing little ones for the big day. There are lots of great festive books out there, perfect for a bedtime read and I love getting into the characters too. Especially when I can throw in a hearty ‘ho, ho, ho’!”
Lucy Noguera, 42, from London, mum to Louis, 9, Madalena, 7, and Aubrey, 3
3) Wish list…
“I let my little one loose with the Argos catalogue and then we do a picture list for Santa. My daughter’s only 3 and thinks it’s great fun. She rips out the toys she wants, sticks them down or draws them, and then we hang it on the fridge.”
Stephanie Carson, 30, from London, mum to Georgie, 3
4) Christmas carols…
“Every year I put Christmas songs on in the house so the kids learn the carols. During December, when somebody’s at the door, Noah opens it and sings to them – the visitor always looks rather surprised.”
Jo West, 35, from South Wales, mum to Noah, 3, and Zoe, 10 months
5) Funky festive decorations…
“Making decorations always makes my little ones excited at this time of year. We grab lots of different kinds of paper, glue and glitter, and make everything from stars and hearts to tiny Christmas trees. Then we stick them up around the house or hang them on the tree.”
Leila Jerman, 37, from Manchester, mum to Sofia, 5, and Michael, 2
6) Making iced gingerbread men…
“You can either buy gingerbread snowmen from bakers or make them yourself. Lots of shops, including lakeland.co.uk, sell the cookie cutters. We dip them in icing, then stick on sweets. They’re fun to leave out for Santa.”
Susie Boone, Editor of MadeForMums.com
7) Window decorations…
“I made Santas when I was a kid, using tissue paper and toilet rolls, and I’m going to get the kids to do the same this year. We’ll go a bit mad with the snow spray and I’ll take a picture of their beautiful display.”
Symone Darvell, 29, from Hull, mum to Mia, 3, and Ava, 18 months
8) Christmas lights…
“I take Maddie each year to a fantastic lights display on Hayes Lane in Bromley. She believes that if she wishes on every star light then Santa will come. The next morning I have to leave a cheeky trail – usually cookie crumbs or a footprint in the snow.”
Fran Hoare, 22, from Kent, mum to Maddie, 5 and Sullivan, 3 months
9) Creating a giant rainbow crayon…
“I gather all Lily’s old crayons, peel the paper off, break them into little pieces and lay them on a well-greased baking tray. Then we bake in a 200ºC oven for 4 minutes and make one giant crayon for her to play with.”
Gemma Driscoll, 27, from Kent, mum to Lily, 3
10) Recycled cards…
“From the end of November my 5-year-old daughter and I make Christmas cards to give to family and friends. We dig out last year’s cards, find any nice pictures or phrases, and cut them out. Then with glue, glitter and ribbon, we transform them into brand new, unique cards.”
Patricia Long, 33, from Wexford, Ireland, mum to Dearbhla, 5
11) Snowy days out…
“Every year we hunt out the snow to build snowmen, adding carrots and pebbles for detail. It’s a great outdoor activity for the whole family. Another favourite thing is making snow angels.”
Caroline Job, 44, from Bucks, mum to Eleanor, 7, Michael, 9, and Thomas, 11
12) Visit to Santa’s grotto…
“We always go on a magical miniature train at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent, and then see Father Christmas and his wonderful workshop. It’s run entirely by volunteers, and the people there are so welcoming to the kids.”
Kelly Innes, 34, from Bromley, mum to Cecily, 3, and Annabel, 1
13) Santa’s visit…
“It was lovely creating our Christmas traditions for Maria. We put sparkles down where the magic flying dust from Santa’s sleigh was supposed to have fallen. I’ve got a video of Maria running in and seeing that Santa had been, it’s just adorable.”
Sophie Kendrew, mum to Maria, 4, and Jonathan, 5 months
14) Arts & crafts…
“Christmas starts early in our house and we love it. It’s always good to make homemade items, as it gets the kids to understand that Christmas is a time for family. We take all the wrappers from the sweet tins and then use the colourful, shiny paper to make beautiful collages to hang on the wall.”
Tricia Clark, 34, from Fareham, mum to Mina, 2
15) Cute Christmas outfits…
“My little ones love dressing up. We choose what they’re going to be, anything from a princess to an elf, and then make the outfits at home. Then my girls and their friends act out a special nativity scene just for me. It’s so sweet.”
Vicky Holland, 33, from Bromley, mum to twins Sophie and Chloe, 4
16) Festive house…
“I take my two little ones to a village near us where there’s a house that’s covered in decorations. It’s so festive that the kids think it’s magical. The couple who own it leave a pot of treats outside for the visitors, which my kids love dipping their hands into.”
Jodie Chelsea Ringwood, 25, from Braintree, 27 weeks pregnant and mum to Holly, 3, and Rhys, 20 months
17) Special sleepwear…
“While the kids are busy having their bath, one of Santa’s little helpers comes into the house and leaves them both a brand new pair of pyjamas to wear so that they look especially nice for Santa leading up to the big day.”
Nicola Hedley, 29, from Northumberland, stepmum to Isabel, 5, and mum to William, 14 months
18) Festive shaped food…
“When it gets to a week before Christmas I let Jessica choose a character or object for her food to be in the shape of, whether this is a present, a tree or an angel. I even shape her sandwiches. She loves it and it just makes the build-up extra special.”
Faye Langley, 24, from Reading, mum to Jessica, 3
19) Cheeky chains...
“Each day I let the little ones get a bit crafty and make something to take to Grandma and Grandpa’s. Their favourite is a chain of decorations in the shape of bears which they then decorate with glitter and stickers, and write everyone’s names on.”
Sarah Clegg, 30, from Surrey, mum to Carla, 11, Rachel, 10, Ethan, 4, Alisha, 2, and Aaron, 5 months
20) Tiny treats…
“Christmas is the best. Throughout the week before the big day, we give our children little presents, like a pair of pyjamas, a festive book or a special hot chocolate, to build their excitement. Then we all go and sit in the garden and watch the snow gently fall. It’s bliss.”
Kirsty Madew, 26, from Stockport, mum to Heidi, 3, and Alfie, 1
21) Family games…
“We love playing games and, to make it more fun, the winner gets to choose a chocolate from a mystery tin. We have all kinds because I have children of all ages and their tastes vary. Last Christmas we bought the new Monopoly board game and everyone loved playing it together.”
Danka Bakic, 38, from London, mum to Daniella, 18, Daniel, 14, Marko, 11, and Stefan, 2
22) Personalised baubles…
“My eldest and I always make special little gifts together for our close family. Last year we painted baubles with their names on, and this year we’re going to write our own Christmas song. We can’t wait until Elizabeth is old enough to join in.”
Jennifer Dixon, 27, from Manchester, mum to Ben, 4, and Elizabeth, 10 months
23) Table decorations…
“I like to spend 23 December walking in the park, picking up pine cones and holly to decorate the table. It’s good to get some fresh air and exercise before all that eating kicks in.”
Daniella Delaney, Editor of Practical Parenting & Pregnancy
24) Naughty Rudolph…
“I get my son to leave carrots out for Santa’s reindeers. When he’s asleep, I bite off the ends and throw them in the garden. He wakes up and can’t believe that they rudely spat the ends off the roof.”
Kirstie Allsopp, TV presenter and mum to Bay, 5, and Oscar, 3
