Ideas for Christmas eve with a two year old

[littletike]

As Christmas eve is on a Saturday this year we have the pleasure of spending the whole day together as a family - what can we do with our 2 year old to make the day special? We have some stuff organised for the evening.

Oh I remember when mine were little dreaming about a lovely cosy Christmas eve. New PJs, hot chocolate, Christmas story by the fire, then carrot for Rudolph, mince pie for Fathers Christmas and stockings hung up an the bedpost.

In reality, want to wear old smelly PJs, and stockings thrown back at me because they don't want it, dog eating mince pie (it's all much better now op). No suggestions for the day for you but a couple of tips that I wish I'd known. FC only does stockings, all other presents are from you, don't let him take credit for everything. Hang stockings downstairs, I'm stuck staying up really late now waiting for my older children to fall asleep so I can sneak into their room to deliver their stocking presents.

Maybe some baking or crafts early on, then out for a walk, play at park in afternoon, xmas movie then early to bed. Then u put ur feet up and relax 😄

Is there a Christingle service nearby? They are lovely to go to on Xmas eve with little ones.

We've always had new pjs and hot chocolate on Xmas eve and then before bed the same story. So you could buy a nice Xmas story to read too.

On the whole though I'd have a pretty normal day, she's only 2 and it can all get a bit much for them.

Dp always works on Christmas eve so it's just me and ds. We've got a fab little routine of a walk in a country park and an ice cream, regardless of weather, then home to do a bit of Christmas baking, get santas plate ready then a Christmas film. It's my favourite day over Christmas tbh.

We're going to a church service in the early evening but as we'll be up early it's just going to be a long day waiting around as hopefully I'll be all sorted by then! Baking sounds good - maybe some Xmas cookies for Santa 😀

Does your church have a 'pram service' which might be at an earlier time? Go for a walk to see everybody's Christmas trees.

Do a xmas eve box that your 2 yr old can open the night before.
Put crayons a colouring book a new set of pyjamas and a bath bomb or something like that. Just to get them into the spirit :)

We've always taken out DD to the local Christmas church service. They do an afternoon one that's for children so it doesn't matter if they are running around or making a noise. We always spend Christmas Eve with my parents. Usually a stroll around town looking at the lights, food prep while listening to carols/watching Christmas films, church then home for a family meal/takeaway.

Lovely ideas thank you x

I'm doing a North Pole breakfast this year, have a look on Pinterest! My DD is just 3