How to keep the Magic going for older children.

[Aponcetasticchristmastoall]

My 3 DD’s are 13, 12 and 9 and whilst at least 2 of them obviously know the truth of who brings the presents (although the 12 year old has told me she will still definitely be sleeping upstairs on Christmas Eve as she has aways found the notion of Santa stomping about so close to her bedroom a little daunting, haha!!) they very much still believe in the magic and everything will carry on as it always has.

I am though trying to adapt our traditions and activities a little to keep in line with their age and interests and would love some fun suggestions or new ideas to add to my list. (we have obviously always done and will carry on the standard Christmas movie evenings, baking afternoons, and tree collecting )

So far I’ve written down a North Pole Spa night, an afternoon with vintage scene jigsaw, egg nog and Bing Crosby and a Christmas bingo...
(Going to get my DH to drive round with them in Christmas jumper and with carols on for an hour or so, with a stop off at local garden centre and they have to cross of everything on their bingo card, Santa, candy cane, a Christmas jumper and then back here for hot chocolate and maybe a little prize!

Trip to the cinema to see the latest Christmas film.

What else can I do that replaces the Santa visits etc?

On the giving theme, we usually get our teens to do a small foodbank shop, and this year they are doing gifts for care leavers who don’t have any family.

Thanks @maxelly we have always done a reversed advent, craft gift making, carol singing round the residential homes (albeit with school) we donate to various charity’s (through volunteering as well as financially) regularly throughout the year, we even make fat balls for the birds on Christmas Eve!!!

My 3 also help out regularly at home and I’ve had the big two trained on daily tea making for a while!!

This thread, asking for more ideas to make Christmas still magical for them is just one aspect of our Christmas but the part ie excitement and magic that all 3 of my girls look forward to the most and I’m happy to keep this going as long as possible!

My two are a similar age and really enjoy turning our kitchen table into a restaurant for a themed meal which they or all of us make. We've had an Italian night and an American diner night amongst others. They draw place mats and menus and posters. For some reason they call it 'Big Jim's' 😂

I'm going to get them to do a Christmas themed Big Jim's on the run up to Christmas.

Also we've booked for one of the light events at a local castle. We went last year and it was lovely - along with hot chocolate and pork and stuffing rolls. Best night out in a long time and so festive.

We do lots of crafts, the white air dry Fimo is great the make tree decorations with. Definitely Christmas cookies and a gingerbread house.

In the beginning of December I get a basket of Christmas cards, Christmas stickers and stampers and nice gel pens. I get it ready while they're at school and they come home and write their Christmas cards. They always want to do this and ask to make sure I'll do it each year! I always think they won't want to but they've already asked about it for this year!

We also watch A LOT of Christmas movies!

I've noticed a local charity are making gift bags for children and adults in hostels so I'd like to do that too. We always do the shoebox appeal but this is a local one we can help too.

Some lovely ideas there I will keep in mind. We shop for and drop off gifts at a refuge most years.

Always got to find a Christmassy pub with a fire with my teens. Normally we would meet another family but not sure about that part this time.
They enjoy the charity shop challenge one weekend in December. Find a town with a decent number of charity shops and everyone has a budget (think we did £5 but could be smaller) There is normally a theme, best/cheesiest gift you can find secret Santa style, go on eBay after and see who has bought the best bargain. Vote for best find /best board game etc. All the money goes to charity and you sometimes find some real treasures.
Hot chocolate out Christmas shopping?
Ice skating (you never know)