What makes a 'magical' Christmas for kids?

[BigGreen]

My poor DH has a chronic pain condition meaning he's pretty much The Grinch all year round . I always feel the pressure to create a nice, festive atmosphere of fun and joy for the kids.

I was wondering if you had any ideas to make the season magical for children? So many times I've read posts here that said "Mum made Christmas so magical...". Such sweet memories :)

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Honestly, I think the main thing is time with us. No rushing around, getting to work and School etc. Cuddling up watching films, later nights, lay ins, extra chocolate, playing games together, baking together. Sometimes magical little things happen by accident when you are all together and enjoying the season.

I think it's just being present with the family, being allowed food and treats they wouldnt normally get. Possibly even being cheesy with music and dancing.

I've never "gone big" we've never done Santa visits, panto, ice skating, or whatever the big events are and my kids still love christmas.

We weren't religious but we had a little nativity scene that went in the 'good room' and each day I'd be allowed to go in and move the wise men a bit closer to the stable. On Christmas morning I'd always be delighted to see that Father Christmas had not only eaten his mince pie but also moved the figures to the manger and that the baby Jesus had been placed in. That always seemed very magical to me! There will be so many lovely gifts and activities my parents organised that I don't remember, but those little details were what I will always think of.

Yes it was all the little things, getting dressed up and going to the Christingle service at the church, putting Christmas music on and decorating the tree. Spending more time with family than usual. Snuggling on the sofa watching Christmas films and eating chocolate, and then putting the stockings out for santa and finding that he'd been and eating the mince pie too! It was all so magical. I'm hoping to recreate the magic for my children

Making gingerbread figures, getting bundled up warmly and walking around our estate looking at everyone's lights then back home for hot chocolate and the gingerbread we'd made and decorated. Watching a christmas movie all snuggled together. Family coming to watch us sing carols. All the buzz at school, making crafts, Christmas party. Visit to fenwicks window.

Christmas films, tins of Quality St, buffets, walks to nice pubs, family time.
As a child we never had money for all the extra activities though my parents did make a huge effort with presents.

Christmas baking , a lovely walk home to hot chocolate, Christmas films, singing Christmas carols, looking for Santa in sky on Christmas Eve, Driving around looking at Christmas lights, making paper chains, Making Christmas cards- jotting had to be expensive xx

We keep it simple, low cost and spread out the fun. I have a reusable advent calendar which I fill with figures for the nativity scene and chocolate. It’s very easy to do and kids love adding to the scene.

Every Sunday for advent in December we light the advent candle or angel chimes, eat some cake.

Christmas films at weekends from December 1st with popcorn/ hot choc.

Christmas Story and treats for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day itself is simple- usual food, Santa presents and stocking.

@Hetyanni

Honestly, I think the main thing is time with us. No rushing around, getting to work and School etc. Cuddling up watching films, later nights, lay ins, extra chocolate, playing games together, baking together. Sometimes magical little things happen by accident when you are all together and enjoying the season.

One in and I think you got it! Time with the family, spend the days together. Get some hot chocs, some sweets, board or card games, films, play station if they like that ready. And then let it flow. Let husband rest extra if that puts him in a better mood. No stress around the dinner, it is just another dinner. Simple is better. Having things half done the day before is best. Get the children to help if they are old enough, so they have something to feel proud about.

In the run up, lots of crafts like making gingerbread houses, paper chains and Christmas crackers.

Carols by candlelight at local church if there is one nearby (you don't have to be a 'member' usually!)

Christmas Eve we would go for a walk around the local area looking for Santa in the sky and as we got older it became just to look for prettily decorated houses. Loved it.

Cristingle, school concerts, carols and Christmas playlists- helping to decorate the tree.

The things I enjoyed as a child, my children also enjoy. I try to balance the Christian ethos with some mild consumerism.... I do think it’s a bit crazy the amount of money and effort people splash on loads of Christmas activities. It really isn’t necessary to have fun at Christmas with children.

Content, relaxed parents. Don't put pressure on yourself. Can DH manage his pain meds so he's a bit less grinchy on the day?

My mothers always goes above and beyond for Christmas, even now that we’re all grown up. She’s delighted I now have DS as she can start it all again.

One year, she found a way to lay Father Christmas glitter footprints from chimney to tree and back, and get a reindeer to do a poo next to the fireplace.
I think I was a teenager and she still went to the effort of scooping up a deer poo and popping it on the hearth next to the fireplace. Youngest sibling would have been too old to believe too …!

So for me things like that are quite magical because they are so silly.

We also always do silly jokes or clues on every single gift from family, but Father Christmas gifts don’t have jokes. This is a must for me at Christmas now. Pretty sure it drives DH a bit loopy. Last year I did it for our 8month old…

We also used to wear silly hats from the dressing up box rather than the cracker hats because we like dressing up as a family and this makes us smile. I’m sad that this doesn’t happen anymore as I think it’s a great tradition.

I also always loved games over the Christmas period. A big jigsaw on the dining table for a few days after Christmas was always quite nice as it was a non TV activity to gather around (we watch far too much TV as a family)

This might sound mad, but I always remember how my parents would schedule Christmas dinner round the best movie. Back in the eighties the Christmas movies were a huge deal, it might be your big chance to watch ET, Ghostbusters or a Star Wars movie. My mum could sometimes be a bit up tight, shall we say, so it was lovely knowing they were chilled out and flexible on the bug day.

Going to a decent grotto.

We start on Dec 1st and make such a fuss through advent. We don't do anything expensive but the whole period is about getting ready for Christmas Day itself. We have an activity advent calandar and do something everyday, so they mostly know what is coming with a few new things that crop up.

The kids do seem to really enjoy our Christmas, even those who are now adults. It isn't very traditional, but we have loads of our own traditions now.

@LazJaz

My mothers always goes above and beyond for Christmas, even now that we’re all grown up. She’s delighted I now have DS as she can start it all again.

One year, she found a way to lay Father Christmas glitter footprints from chimney to tree and back, and get a reindeer to do a poo next to the fireplace.
I think I was a teenager and she still went to the effort of scooping up a deer poo and popping it on the hearth next to the fireplace. Youngest sibling would have been too old to believe too …!

So for me things like that are quite magical because they are so silly.

We also always do silly jokes or clues on every single gift from family, but Father Christmas gifts don’t have jokes. This is a must for me at Christmas now. Pretty sure it drives DH a bit loopy. Last year I did it for our 8month old…

We also used to wear silly hats from the dressing up box rather than the cracker hats because we like dressing up as a family and this makes us smile. I’m sad that this doesn’t happen anymore as I think it’s a great tradition.

I also always loved games over the Christmas period. A big jigsaw on the dining table for a few days after Christmas was always quite nice as it was a non TV activity to gather around (we watch far too much TV as a family)

I hope I'm that mum... I go nuts at Christmas with dropping carrots and balmy games, kids all teens and still love it 😍

I remember that feeling of the full stocking on Christmas morning. Just knowing 'he's been!'.
It was full of things like sweets, chocolates, new pens and pencils, daft bits. I just felt so special in that moment. Santa had thought of me and filled my stocking with treats.
Of course realising it was mum made it all the more special. She'd done it all just for me!

I was really pleased the other day when my 13 year old DD said "I love Christmas, I love the way the house smells, I love the cosiness, the fire, the decorations, the films, the food...". Not one mention of presents, so I can only think it's the general ambience that makes her feel Christmassy.

I should add, we have A LOT of traditions and the kids like us to to more or less the same things in December.

Well, firstly , I have severe chronic pain and it's shit but also it's not ok to be the grinch all the time.

For my kids and us I do think it's time just being a family - board games , movies, driving or walking round to see all the lights, salt dough decorations , gingerbread house, decorating the tree together, just enjoying time together . Our kids are 11& 15 and I'm hoping we still manage the majority of that - I know the younger one will be up for it.

we also do the bloody elf but don't start that or you'll still be doing it when the kids are wayyyyy too old because the youngest pretends she believes and can't wait for him to arrive and you're a mug

Frantic- what type of traditions do you have?

I have rheumatoid arthritis and it can be very painful. Also single Mum so have to budget and do it all myself. No need to not enjoy Christmas though. Good food, treats, Christmas story and just being happy. For me as a child , the tin of quality street and smelling the Christmas dinner cooking was amazing. Not forgetting the sheer excitement of a stocking. I love recreating that feeling of magic for my daughter. I do understand pain does grind you down but it needn't make Christmas miserable x

Omg these stories are brilliant and thanks for sharing so many ideas. Loads of them brought a tear to my eye and I really laughed at the reindeer poo LazJaz - your Mum sounds amazing!! It's really reassuring that it's all the little, cozy things that you remember, as I can definitely do that.

This year we are going to my sisters house for the big day. My brother in law is so jolly - I think he has about 5 Christmas jumpers that he bought himself and wears everyday in the holidays. So that will be lovely.

In the run up, I'm definitely going to revisit classic movies like ET. I've bought loads of new games for actual presents, I wonder if I should liberate a couple of those earlier in December?

Please do keep sharing your other traditions. And thanks again .

My special memories of childhood Christmas:
Driving around to see the lights;
visiting a certain department store (not UK) which had an animatronic village set up that you walked through;
The whole family picking just the right tree;
The excitement of the decorated tree;
The first snow of the season;
Watching the same Christmas TV shows every year: Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Charlie Brown Christmas etc;
The day - each taking turns to open presents and oooing and aahing;
Christmas Mass;
The dinner and crackers and board games afterwards (Pictionary was the best).