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Original poster

Ideas to calm over excited children on Christmas eve.

48 replies

MammaTJ · 15/12/2013 00:18

Last year I printed off some Christmassy pictures for the DC to colour and then we laminated them to make Christmas place mats.

We have Christmas biscuits to decorate this year, as well as paper chains to make.

Any other ideas for Christmas focused quiet things for the over excited ones to do to take things down a notch for half an hour or so?

OP posts:
Original poster
MammaTJ · 15/12/2013 00:22

Sorry, thought I had posted in chat!

I AM BEING UNREASONABLE to make such a mistake! Grin

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 15/12/2013 00:23

My mum used to get us to tie lots of pairs of two square wrapped chocolates into a little parcel with sewing thread, to hang on the tree. It required furious concentration and apparently kept us quiet for as long as 20 minutes Grin

Say that the ivy/holly is looking a bit thin and send them out to roam the nearest clump of trees.

mrsjay · 15/12/2013 00:23

after bathtime and leaving biscuits for santa we used to watch a film dd1 was a nightmare and mu uncle Samta used to phone her to go to bed so he could come and deliver presents, dd2 was great have her bath and watch a film and tootle off to bed, I tried to not mention Christmas and not get them to hyper with doing things after dinner ,

DeWe · 15/12/2013 01:24

Dd2 is doing a reading at the Christingle. The thought will keep her quietly excited most of the day. I didn't choose the last out of three services for no reason

Chottie · 15/12/2013 07:03

How lovely, I remember that Santa excitement on Christmas Eve so well. Could your DC make individual place names for everyone for Christmas lunch using glitter pens and glue?

Get them to help set the Christmas lunch table (if you have a separate space).

If you have any elderly neighbours perhaps you could invite them in for a chat over a cup of tea and a mince pie?

fidelma · 15/12/2013 07:17

My 4 get a present. A box with new night wear, and a few sweets. (This year a lovely mug and delux hot chocolate. ) the present seems to calm them a bit and the new night wear looks good in the photos!

SatinSandals · 15/12/2013 07:24

Most churches do a crib service which is geared to very small children.

InMySpareTime · 15/12/2013 07:25

We go out to the Christingle service at church, when we get back, new pyjamas have mysteriously appeared on pillows.
Jigsaws chill the DCs out, or a board game, then we read "the night before Christmas" together.

Spottybra · 15/12/2013 07:27

A walk somewhere in the trees, we collect berries, holly, pine cones and evergreens and make a last little garland. This is followed by a 'party food' late midday meal before heading off to christingle. When we return there are two little parcels waiting with nightwear and toothbrushes and a book.

If its raining we will usually make gingerbread and hang it on the tree.

Bearandcub · 15/12/2013 07:27

Decorate a gingerbread house or make personalised Xmas design cards to use as thank you cards.

ChippyMinton · 15/12/2013 07:53

Pretend it's 23 December.Then listen out for the joy when they discover full stockings at the end of their beds the next morning.

lljkk · 15/12/2013 08:06

Long Long walk to a nice cafe at lunchtime day before. Wear 'em out!

fairnotfair · 15/12/2013 08:07

Calm them down?? Hell, I've got them a reindeer-shaped piñata. I'm hoping it will help them burn off some energy. Xmas Grin

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 15/12/2013 08:10

A nice walk during the day and a Christmas film in the evening.

Or you could try my trick which is to leave for work at 8:30 pm and leave DH to deal with the misery of overexcited, unable to sleep childrenXmas Wink

NoobytheWaspSlayer · 15/12/2013 08:11

We do the 'pj treasure hunt' which mostly involves a super super long walk to find the clues and culminates in finding the treasure of new pjs and a couple of christmassy dvds. We then all have hot baths and a tv supper get into our new pjs and watch the dvds.

By bedtime they are knackered so there's no problems getting them to sleep!

LingDiLong · 15/12/2013 08:29

Walk them like dogs. We always go out somewhere in the afternoon and walk/scoot or cycle. Then its a late, big dinner and a film. Usually makes them nice and sleepy.

Original poster
MammaTJ · 15/12/2013 08:36

Some great ideas here!

OP posts:
EndoplasmicReticulum · 15/12/2013 08:36

What Ling and others said. Very long walk!

Original poster
MammaTJ · 15/12/2013 08:56

Long walk is not very realistic, we live in a hilly town and I don't do hills very well! Might manage a beach walk, you know, where I can see them from far away and they walk about 4 times as far as I do! Grin

OP posts:
RedPencils · 15/12/2013 09:02

I take mine to deliver Christmas cards to the person who lives a long long walk away. Afternoon in the park. Watch a movie. Pjs. Read the Christmas story and then bed.

Chippy - pretend its the 23rd! [Grin] Mine have been counting down since November. No way could I get away with that.

Binkyridesagain · 15/12/2013 09:08

NORAD www.noradsanta.org/ was a great way to get mine to go to bed, also it kept them occupied during the day watching where in the world Santa is.

Original poster
MammaTJ · 15/12/2013 09:58

I don't think I would get away with that either RedPencils.

OP posts:
RedPencils · 15/12/2013 10:03

Swimming? The pool is going to be empty. Nice long hot bath when you get back.

LingDiLong · 15/12/2013 10:08

We've done beach before now. And a local country park

revivingshower · 15/12/2013 10:25

I like the idea of getting a not very well known relative to ring up pretending to be Santa. This wouldn't work with my dd age 9 but good for little ones.

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