What age before she understands the magic of Christmas?

[susiesuelou]

My DD is 20 months old. I'm currently watching her sleep in her cot and I feel a little sad that when she fell asleep this evening she had absolutely no idea what tomorrow is all about.
DP wanted to do a carrot and milk etc for Santa but I said there wasn't much point at this age as she won't have a clue. I'm not sure why this has made me sad, but it has!

I am wondering what age can we start to do all the magic of Christmas? When will she "get it" and go to bed too excited to sleep, etc? If that makes any sense !

Didn’t really get the proper full-on magical/excited Christmasses until he was closer to 5.

I found Christmas can be a bit ‘meh’ in some ways with babies/small toddlers, no relaxing but also no real excitement/Christmas feeling because they don’t have a clue.

Last year at 2.5 she understood a fair bit and absolutely loved the day. This year at 3.5 she totally 'gets' it and has been counting down 'sleeps'

DP is currently constructing a giant play house on the living room floor 😂 he's losing the will to live and I'm just enjoying my wine.🤭

Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas 🥰

2

It's magical when they do.

DS was nearly 4 last year and was kinda excited. This year he properly understands and he is as high as a kite, has been for weeks

My son has just turned 5, he's awaiting a diagnosis of ASD.

He doesn't understand Christmas at all, he like the tree but doesn't understand stockings, gifts, leaving a carrot for Rudolf, won't eat Christmas dinner etc.

I'm holding out hope that some understanding might come next year.

Last year at 3 was pretty good but 4 is the best age IMO! And it doesn't last long DD7 is already questioning Santa so make the most of it!

DS is 3 and 100% gets it this year. Last year he was excited because he caught onto the general atmosphere but he still didn't really cotton onto what was happening. I'll never forget him running into our room with the present Santa left on the end of his bed though.

I reckon next year you'll be able to do the drink and carrot etc. For now enjoy the day for what it is. I have really fond memories of DS at that age (before the tantrums properly started!)

DS is 4 and was super excited for Christmas for the first time this year. Then we all caught this nasty bug going round and he's been too ill for the last week to care. He's gone off to bed tonight not even really taking in that it's Christmas day tomorrow, was too sleepy and unwell to care about leaving carrots and mince pie out. I also feel like crap so wasn't going to force the issue. I now feel really tearful though. I know in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter but was looking forward to him really enjoying this Christmas 😢

She may well next year remember this year.

DD1 was 14 months for her second Christmas. I wouldn't have expected her to understand. Then the following September (she was 23 months) a catalogue came through the door with a picture of a Christmas tree. She gave a gasp, sat down and said "Christmas tree" then pointed to where we had ours, talked about the "orange with raisins" (Christingle) and waking to presents in her room (stocking presents) - she even remembered what one of the presents was.
No, she hadn't seen photos, nor had we talked about it at all.
She clearly remembered it nearly a year later.

So next year she may well remember enough to make her excited.

Aww @Leakingtoilet😞 I'm so sorry your DS is unwell, hopefully he will be a little brighter tomorrow when he sees what Santa has brought! 💖

They start to get it at 3. Huge excitement by 4. I have a video of dd age 4 on Christmas Eve asking me when Father Christmas is coming and then running around squealing‘tomorrow!’ Like a loon.

My little boy is 2 years 5 months old and has constantly been asking this week 'is it Christmas Day yet mommy' 'father Christmas will bring me paw patrols and car cars' and is very excited today! So I think next year will be much better for you it's more for us than them in the early years haha

Young 3 here understands but don't think she'll get it fully until she sees the presents tomorrow. Keeps asking if we're going trick or treating tomorrow😂

I think you have a way to go yet! 4 or 5 is when they really start to get excited.

I've got a 6 year old and this year has been full on intense excitement, previous years not so much.

😂 oh bless her!

I would also say eldest DD really understood and was excited from age 4. Ages 4-6 were the most magical.
Youngest DD is 4 (she has ASD) but more like a 3 year old level of understanding still, she gets the FC/sleigh/reindeer/chimney/presents but wouldn't understand a toy factory concept yet/writing a letter to FC. She's very literal and when we went to put out the 'reindeer food' (bird seed), she was worried they were going to be outside.

I've a three year old (4 in March) and she is sick with excitement. She is in pre school this year so singing all the Christmas songs and doing the Christmas crafts so it's really lovely. Her older siblings are very excited as well but her excitement is just so real as she hasn't really asked for too much it's just the excitement of Santa and Rudolph coming

Mine are 6, 3.5 and 2. The 6 year old is off the scale excited! 3.5 year old has enjoyed the build up, but I don’t think remembers last year really, so doesn’t have that anticipation yet, I think he will next year. 2 year old loves joining in the fun but she has no idea what it’s all about yet! So I’d say 2 they enjoy it, 3 they enjoy it and start to remember more, and 4 is when they truly are excited! Don’t feel sad OP, you’ve got it all to come 😊

This year for us! Our DD is 3, almost 4. Last year she enjoyed it and got lots of it but this year the magic has started full force and it’s just amazing ❤️🎄

Ahh I've loved reading all these 💖
Thanks everyone!

This is the first year we've really 'done' Christmas. DS 3.5. He understands a lot, but he's still just repeating lots he's heard from nursery and I don't think he really knows exactly what it means. So he can tell us Santa will come down the chimney and leave presents and that we have to leave him milk and cookies.

But it's also lovely that he doesn't even really understand the value of presents. All he wants is sweets from Santa.

Last year we did a few things but really they were for us as he didn't really have a clue (like baking gingerbread), but this year he's much more involved. He's had an advent calendar, which we've used to teach him numbers, and he knows when all the numbers are open it'll be Christmas day.

DS1 was 3 when he first got really excited. I'll never forget him being so happy when he opened his Christmas stocking in his bedroom, and he was truly stunned when he came downstairs and realised there were more presents. He's a great big 17 year old now, and whilst he's lovely in other ways, it actually gives me a lump in my throat to remember the pure joy on his little face 14 years ago.