As a big sister can I make a suggestion to those with children of different ages?

[Pinkkisugarmouse]

Well I will anyway. 😆 I am the eldest of five and when I was younger I really took the role seriously.

Once your older kids don’t believe I really recommend getting them involved in the making it special for their younger siblings and/or younger cousins or friends children. This won’t be right for all kids only those who enjoy being big brother/sister or cousin or like being with other younger children. ☺️🎄🎅

Obviously it’s different once they don’t believe but being a big part and seeing the excitement in my little brother and sisters faces and having such a special role have given me some of the best memories of growing up. 🥰

If this is something you and/or your bigger kids do please share it. It warms my heart and brings back lovely memories. 💕🎄

How lovely to have such positive memories of being the big sister 😃

Agree. From about 12, I used to have the job of filling the stockings. I loved it.

This is lovely. And yes I agree. My 12 year old SS keeps sending me links for Amazon for things for his siblings and is trying to convince me that my 1 year old desperately needs a £40 giant nerf gun also so they can shoot eachother 😂

I'm also an oldest sibling with very fond memories of helping with the Christmas magic once I was old enough (and fond memories of me and my parents waiting until my little sister was asleep and then watching whatever Disney VHS she was going to get that year. If it was a particularly good one we would watch it several times in the run up to Christmas. I do feel a little guilty about that now.)

I too am a elder sister. Mum involved me in the secret. I made a cover and pillow for my little sister, who was getting a doll and pram. Was great as it made the magic last longer. Retired now, but still super close to my younger sisters, working together to look after our elderly Mum and involved with each other’s family

Another big sister with lovely memories.

It's really nice to hear this from a younger person, that it is still special, I'm at the point I think my daughter will stop believing, and I like the idea of her "being the magic" now afterwards and that you loved it.

I hope I can make her look back fondly as you do.

Lovely post, thank you for sharing!

My eldest was upset when she realised about FC. She’s autistic and believed till about 11. But it really helped that I had read a great tip on here - it was an article link IIRC, basically saying you can explain to children that there are two types of people - magic believers and magic makers - and once you no longer believe, you “graduate” to being a maker! That did reassure my DD1.

A few years on she’s 16 and she’s REALLY into it this year - making time to do crafting with her 6yo sister when she’s home from college, messaging me
about plans for activities etc. She’s persuaded DS (14) to get more festive too. I wish I could post the lovely photo I’ve got from the other day - DD2 on DD1’s shoulders as she puts the topper (a dinosaur because choosing something unusual has become a tradition over the last few years) on the tree.

I am an only child and grew up with parents who didn’t really bother with Christmas, and seeing my three do this stuff just makes me so happy!

This is such a nice thread. Also an only child. Eldest is 8 and youngest is 2 so I love the idea of him graduating to ‘magic maker’ 🩷

That’s a lovely term - a magic maker
💕🎄🥰

Op that's really lovely! Funnily enough, my now DD18 is coming back at lunch today (no lessons) as she is my chief wrapping elf and we are going to crack the wrapping. The aftermath of me not having what I need for Xmas will hit around teatime!

Aww you sound lovely and just like my oldest daughter 🥰

My DS (14) loves helping out with some of the magic, but he also likes to benefit from the surprise of Christmas morning (along with his wee brother). He helps to make it more exciting for the three year old.

This year I am teaching him to make me a stocking. I’ve given him a list of instructions about what to put in it and money to buy things. I talk to him about ideas I have for his brother’s stocking too. Hopefully he will grow into a man who recognises that he should be making stockings for people, or working with a future partner to do so.

Some lovely stories there.

This is the first year my DC1 (9yo) openly doesn't believe, and he has been given the task of doing an elf for DC2 every night. We have never done one before, as DC1 never seemed interested, and I thought he would find it unsettling. However, he has had loads of fun doing it for his brother. I worried this year would be a bit flat for him now he knows The Truth, but he is actually more excited than usual.