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Original poster

We've got Father Christmas, we have Elf on the Shelf. But what new magical ideas can you bring to the table for children to believe in at Christmas?

108 replies

cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 09:56

Father Christmas (as we know him, a person in a red suit bringing gifts to children with reindeer) has been around since the 1840s.
Elf on the Shelf. An elf watching you and reporting on your behaviour, has been around since 2005.

So it's time for some new ideas. Just something magical for children to believe in at Christmas. No idea too outrageous.

I'm going for a magic woodcutter who cuts down a small tree and brings it to your house when the children are asleep. In the morning, it appears in a special container. He does this as he knows that a tree symbolises eternal life and he wants everyone to have one so they can decorate it in a house.

Parents are still free to buy their own tree of course.

OP posts:
Dotcheck · 09/12/2023 09:58

Huh?

Can you not just do lovely things together?
Why more magical made up creatures?

Original poster
cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 09:59

Dotcheck · 09/12/2023 09:58

Huh?

Can you not just do lovely things together?
Why more magical made up creatures?

We need more stuff.

And yes, more magical creatures.

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 10:00

Dotcheck · 09/12/2023 09:58

Huh?

Can you not just do lovely things together?
Why more magical made up creatures?

Think of it as a task on the Apprentice.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
Blablasheep · 09/12/2023 10:01

How about a baby in a manger?
(haven't seen one of those mentioned in a while).

LittleBearPad · 09/12/2023 10:01

We don’t need more stuff.

Shops will monetise it and create even more angst for competitive parents or those who can’t afford the latest craze.

Original poster
cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 10:02

LittleBearPad · 09/12/2023 10:01

We don’t need more stuff.

Shops will monetise it and create even more angst for competitive parents or those who can’t afford the latest craze.

That's not a very Apprentice style approach to take

OP posts:
Choice4567 · 09/12/2023 10:02

Why on earth do we ‘need more stuff’? What’s your thought process here?

Glitterbiscuits · 09/12/2023 10:02

I wouldn't want a magic man wandering round with a big axe. Hat if he goes rogue?

Echobelly · 09/12/2023 10:03

A magic idea of not creating more Christmas tasks that will inevitably fall to mums?

Original poster
cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 10:04

Choice4567 · 09/12/2023 10:02

Why on earth do we ‘need more stuff’? What’s your thought process here?

So shops can sell more stuff. And we can have more magic at Christmas to make it special for children.

I bet this isn't what they thought when Father Christmas (as we know him), a bloke in a red suit with magical reindeer who goes to people's houses on Christmas Eve was invented.

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 10:05

Glitterbiscuits · 09/12/2023 10:02

I wouldn't want a magic man wandering round with a big axe. Hat if he goes rogue?

He might only go rogue if you've been bad.

(That could be controversial)

OP posts:
JustWhatWeDontNeed · 09/12/2023 10:05

What about teaching the spirit of being grateful for what they have and appreciation for whatever gifts their family members give them?

I don't find commercialism fun. It just adds more pressure to already stressed out (mostly) women.

FC is more than enough.

Thereissomelight · 09/12/2023 10:05

Now you’re being disingenuous OP.
You’ve deliberately chosen to overlook the Christmas Eve box and the December 1st box. They are magical too - and you can buy special boxes with each date on them, filled with pre-plastic-wrapped items.

theduchessofspork · 09/12/2023 10:06

Some on another thread used to put out a new Robin everyday for the 12 days of Christmas, and then they’d all disappear on Christmas Eve* so I guess it’s a bit like the ravens in the Tower of London - if the Robins don’t appear Christmas will fall

Not sure this is what you were looking for

*I’m presuming not live ones
**TW some children may be upset by this

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 09/12/2023 10:06

cakeorwine · 09/12/2023 10:04

So shops can sell more stuff. And we can have more magic at Christmas to make it special for children.

I bet this isn't what they thought when Father Christmas (as we know him), a bloke in a red suit with magical reindeer who goes to people's houses on Christmas Eve was invented.

Show quote history

There's ample magic in FC for young children.

gotomomo · 09/12/2023 10:07

As our tree lives in the loft, even at 4 mine wouldn't have fallen for that, it's also made of plastic so they would have twigged it was factory made because children aren't stupid!

How about keeping it simple, we had Father Christmas, this was pre 2005 thank goodness, no silly elf

Thereissomelight · 09/12/2023 10:08

Also see advent calendar, Christmas pyjamas, Christmas decorations with a photo of the family, trips to see Santa where you buy a ride on a magic train (for the whole family) and pay to make a special plastic Christmas wreath.

Buddhabobby · 09/12/2023 10:08

More magical, you mean more ways to fleece people of their money?

More ways to wreck the environment by producing more crap.

That's not exactly in the spirit of Christmas, is it?

No thanks, Christmas doesn't need to be made magical by expensive tat.

I'm guessing you're looking for a business idea to put of Facebook 🙄

gotomomo · 09/12/2023 10:08

By the way my kids had plenty of magic from going to church - but that's free so no money to be made

Justkeepsplashing · 09/12/2023 10:08

Please no, I’m exhausted as it is. School plays, Christmas jumper days, raffles, Church choirs and concerts, work dos, coughs and bugs, parties, presents, elf on a shelf, deliver cards, buy the food, clean, work, Santa… no room for anything else.

ShowOfHands · 09/12/2023 10:09

I think we need to commercialise Jack Frost. Element of needing to be prepared at all times because you can't tie it to a date due to unpredictability of weather, and if you link in perishables needing to be replaced, there's an ongoing profit from November through to March.

I'd go for sweets akin to the old Foxes Glacier mints but rebranded, left on children's windowsills for the element of danger.

Saz12 · 09/12/2023 10:09

You forgot the fairy putting shiny coins in the Christmas pudding - ONLY the children ever get a coin, and each child ALWAYS get one. Always happened when I was little, but noone seems to do it anymore (chocking risk I assume). Though I dont think Id win the apprentice with that one.

Id have a Boxing Day Box I reckon.

theduchessofspork · 09/12/2023 10:09

Choice4567 · 09/12/2023 10:02

Why on earth do we ‘need more stuff’? What’s your thought process here?

I think some people aren’t getting your sense of humour here OP

They need more Christmas Cheer 🎄to put in their magical Christmas Eve box (TM)

Thereissomelight · 09/12/2023 10:10

Boxing Day box!!!
Why did no one ever think of that. And it’s historical too because king Wenceslas did it.

RedToothBrush · 09/12/2023 10:11

The magic wrapping monster.

Where Mums leave their gifts in a dark corner and return to find them all magically beautifully wrapped complete with ribbons and name tags. For no charge.