What age do kids 'get' Christmas?

[nurseyn]

I have a 2.7 yo DC who understands the concept of Santa bringing presents but I don't know if it's worth doing the whole Xmas eve box or leaving out a carrot etc? Will they really comprehend it enough to make the effort worth it or would I be better off waiting to next year?

My DD was exactly the same age last year and we did the whole thing and she loved it. We even did caster sugar footprints

This year she understands a lot more and is already very excited

Our son will be 2.5 years at christmas and I think we will do the whole thing. He already has been telling us how Santa likes to drink milk and he keeps trying save carrots for reindeers!

Oh as for christmas eve box, that has always been a tradition in our family so I even done it when he was 6 months old. He will certainly be getting new PJs, a book, a nice drink and snacks along with some colouring in stuff in his one this year. We also have a recipe card to bake some cookies for Santa that we will do with him the night before to leave out for Santa.

When it snowed last week my 2 yr old shouted father xmas is coming. That took some explaining.

They know the basics, but not the whooe thing. Xmas eve box is a lovely thing to do. But dont stress about it as long as milk and cookies left out they will love it

From 2+ alot of dc 'get it'

I think he'll get it! Go for it.

Is he your eldest? If so, probably his 3rd Christmas. Ds3 got it at 21 months, but he had older siblings so heard about it constantly!

I think your child will get it enough to make it worthwhile so I would do it. Next year will be even better though.

Ours was 4 when he got it and it became magical, we could do the whole buildup etc.

DD1 is a Christmas baby and was 3 days away from her first birthday on Christmas Day. We did the whole leaving stuff out for FC, obviously for our benefit, from her first Christmas.

I would say from 3 both DD’s ‘got’ it but the Christmas when they reached 4 was the most magical for them (so DD1 almost 4 and DD2 2 etc).

My youngest niece was 3 in September and she definitely this year understands Santa. She is very excited about him bringing presents and about her leaving out a biscuit for him and a carrot for the reindeer.

You know your own child, do what you think is best and I am sure either way your child's Christmas will be lovely.