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 !

I don't understand why you would not set the tone. My son was 6 months old on his first Christmas, but I did everything that is now a tradition. He loves that our traditions are family stories. Every year, we look at the photos of him at 6 months, 18 months etc doing the same things. Nothing mad, but we do a Christmas craft every year, the carrot for reindeers, plate for Santa, same as we do the visit to Santa, the light show trip, the Christmas market. I frame the craft activity and we use them as decorations. We have Xmas tree footprint canvasses, reindeers, lots of Pinterest craft ideas but I have a permanent decoration from every year. We usually do salt dough too so which was totally doable from 18 months. Next year, see yin will be just turned 1 and I will be seeing how she goes with the dough. She did her first craft activity this year, mistletoe footprints. They are already framed. She was 3 weeks old the other day.

DD1 was 4 by the time she completely understood but she was born in November. So by the time she knew it was 2020 and her 5th Xmas.

I'm hoping DD2 will understand quicker as she was born in May so this is her 2nd Xmas.

However I'm just happy that at least one of them knows what's going on lol.

You could have definitely done the mince pie etc. I’ve done it from babies with both of mine and they love seeing the photos each year. Next year your little one will know. I’d say my eldest started to be a pain at sleeping on Xmas eve when she was about 4. My 3yo went down tonight but 6yo was up and down like a yo-yo until about 10 and was still very stirable at 1am (I am knackered as had to wait until early hours for stockings).

I did find at the 18m to 2 type age they could get pretty overwhelmed by presents and Christmas in general. I think one of mine came down on Christmas morning and just cried because it looked different rather than being thrilled to see presents. Older 2/3 is when it starts to get more fun on Christmas day itself.