| Christmas is a magical and exciting time for kids, | | | | Get the kids involved |
| and you can enhance this wonderful time of the | | | | From painting wrapping paper, to choosing gifts |
| year by establishing your own special family | | | | for grandparents or baking biscuits let the kids get |
| traditions... Christmas holiday traditions are | | | | involved, it may take a little longer but it will be a |
| important for families as they provide a sense of | | | | whole lot of fun! Kids love to give, let them share |
| security, belonging and love, whilst building strong | | | | their efforts with family and friends. Individually |
| family bonds. | | | | wrapped gingerbread men, or small packets of |
| The lead up to Christmas can be an extremely | | | | sweets and biscuits make great gifts for school |
| hectic time with parents rushing around trying to | | | | friends, teachers or neighbours. |
| find the perfect gift and stress levels are often at | | | | Family Photo |
| an all-time high. This Christmas why don't you | | | | Take a photo of your family in a special place |
| relax, take time out and make Christmas about | | | | (maybe by the Christmas Tree) every Christmas |
| being together, bonding, laughing and having fun. In | | | | Eve. Set up the Camera (or invite a friend over |
| years to come the kids won't remember what | | | | to take the shots), pop on some Christmas hats |
| gifts they received, but the wonderful memories | | | | and include the family pets in the photos too. The |
| and traditions you create will last forever... | | | | kids will love to look back at the photos as they |
| Decorating the Christmas Tree | | | | get older, to see how much they have changed |
| Make an occasion of decorating the Christmas | | | | from year to year. |
| tree each year by choosing a special day, then | | | | Grandparents |
| put on some Christmas music and let the fun | | | | Share your kids with their grandparents; they |
| begin. Let the kids help by sorting out the | | | | could have a special day at their grandparents |
| decorations, testing the lights, and hanging the | | | | house to help set up their Christmas tree or to |
| decorations, where they can reach. | | | | bake some special treats. This is a great |
| It's great to have some home-made or | | | | opportunity for you to get some last minute |
| personalised decorations to give your tree a | | | | shopping done too. |
| family feel. You can make your own decorations | | | | Christmas Eve |
| from bread dough or buy large Christmas balls | | | | Make a ritual of putting out milk and snacks for |
| and write the kids names on them with glitter | | | | Santa and something special outside for the |
| glue pens. | | | | reindeers. Sit down and relax with a hot chocolate |
| Watch some Christmas Movies | | | | with marshmallows and enjoy some christmas |
| Have a Movie Night, grab some extra pillows and | | | | cookies and explain to the kids what will happen |
| snuggle up with the kids on the couch. Pop some | | | | the next day, before tucking them into bed. |
| popcorn, or treat yourself to some ice-cream and | | | | When creating your family traditions, you may |
| watch a funny Christmas movie. | | | | chose to do some of the things you did as a child |
| Great Family Christmas Movies: | | | | or incorporate some cultural or religious ideas:- |
| National Lampoons Christmas Vacation | | | | Carols by Candlelight, Church Services, Advent |
| Home Alone and Home Alone Lost in New York | | | | Calendars, Special Christmas Stories and |
| Elf | | | | Christmas Candles are more great ways to |
| The Grinch who Stole Christmas | | | | celebrate the fun of Christmas. |
| Polar Express | | | | By creating your own family traditions, and |
| The Christmas Star | | | | repeating them each year you will create a strong |
| Christmas Lights & Displays | | | | family bond. The kids will have something to look |
| Pile everyone into the car and drive around | | | | forward to every year and they will experience a |
| looking at the Christmas light displays. Many shops | | | | sense of belonging and know they have a special |
| and business provide fantastic displays that the | | | | place in the family. |
| kids will love. Make a night of it, go out for dinner | | | | So, be sure to take the time this year to plan |
| or pack a picnic to have at a local park, then run | | | | some new holiday traditions for you and your |
| around or play while you wait for the lights to | | | | family and begin creating memories that will last |
| come on. | | | | forever! |