I hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread. It is sort of relevant r.e Christmas stuff.
This is a specific thing, which may not be particularly applicable to all, but wondered if anybody else had any advice? We had only just been placed at Christmas last year, so we barely celebrated at all. This will be our first as a family of four.
I don't think that I was necessarily prepared for the amount and variation of Christmas input from different education settings. Both of the nurseries our kids go to have gone ham on Christmas in different ways, but one has seen santa with them three (3!) Times as part of what they do- once one trip, once as a visit to the library and once as a part of their party. We only knew about one of these prior to it happening. The other hasn't had any santa visits to his nursery. Both have had the same visits to santa planned as part of our own Christmas festivities so it isnt like the big guy hasnt been seen (and roundly ignorned) by both boys, but the jealousy it has triggered has meant that we have had a lot of explaining to do as to why santa visited one's nursery and not the others.
It also means lots of presents were given that are opened immediately because we weren't there and so it's a bit tricky to manage that too.
Then we also can't have presents under the tree because they get opened due to impulsivity, but we get constantly asked by the eldest why everyone else has presents and he doesn't. We explain Santa is bringing them regardless of what anybody says, but he can't really allow himself to believe its ok. We are quite chill and relaxed, weve employed loads of strategies (small interim presents, telling him some of the stuff he will definitely be getting, letting him see us wrap some so he knows he is getting them, dopamine hits from other small novelty items, keeping decorations low key etc). But he is clearly anxious about it, and has been for several weeks.
Sibling relationships in adoption can be quite tricky and complex, and these bloodybsanta visits have added a whole new dimension into it because they felt so out of our control. Next year it won't be as bad because they will be in the same provision, but for any new parents, it's something to watch out for.
Anyway, despite everything, I'm feeling relatively chilled and festive because I've decided to treat myself to a greggs festive sandwich meal deal tomorrow and the kids don't like mixed sandwiches so I'm going to get to eat it all to myself without the nagging for them to have any of it.