babies

toddlers and pre-schoolers

older children

Sharing Christmas with children adds an extra magical layer to the festivities. There's the joy of watching them enjoy the build up to Christmas Day both at home and outside. There's also the fun of devising new, creative ways to make your child's Christmas a very personal one. Whether it's their first Christmas or their fifth, we've come up with a host of ways to give your children a truly memorable Christmas.

babies

Babies are sensitive to changes in routine; even even at a few months old, he or she will be aware of the additional hustle and bustle in the home. The bright colours of decorations and Christmas lights plus the extra excitement and noise when relatives visit will all leave an impression. Sharing this time and these feelings with your baby can be a great bonding experience. It's also an opportunity to create your own Christmas rituals so that in years to come, Christmas will continue to be a special time. Here are some ideas:

• Buy or create your baby's first Christmas stocking. You might like to buy some felt and sew one together. Add a further personal touch by embroidering baby's name or sewing a name tag on. Place some symbolic but simple things in there that can be taken out and shown to baby on Christmas Day. A soft toy, a musical rattle or a brightly coloured ball are all good options.
• Take a family photo each year so your child has a memento for each Christmas. These can be put in an album and given as a gift when he/she leaves home.
• Presents themselves are less important for babies than the wrapping! Give them maximum enjoyment by wrapping their gift in lots of light paper - like tissue. Don't stick it down too tightly and help your baby tear the wrapping off. Don't be surprised if the box housing the gift provides hours, even days of enjoyment!

toddlers and pre-schoolers

As they get older, children will be aware of the rituals that herald the arrival of Christmas. Make the most of this by setting aside 'special' times for things like putting up the tree and decorating the house. As Christmas gets closer you're sure to be busier than usual so, let them open Christmas cards and 'help' with wrapping presents. Here are some other ways to make their Christmas special:

• Give toddlers their own special area on the lowest part of the tree to decorate. Let them make their own decoration (see our other article in this issue) or give them things which are easy to hang.
• Play CD's of Christmas songs and carols that the children can easily learn so they can join in.
• Don't forget to leave Father Christmas a glass of sherry and a mince pie. Add a carrot or apple for Rudolf. Make sure there are bites taken and stray crumbs on Christmas morning. For extra realism you might want to create some Father Christmas footprints. Simply place a large shoe on the floor and sprinkle glitter around it. Do this a few times and Father Christmas will have left his mark!

older children

Approaching school age and beyond, children will naturally be more focused on what Father Christmas can do for them! This is to be expected but that doesn't mean doing away with the creative and special touches. Some thoughts:

• Remind them that Christmas is about sharing as well as giving. Include your child in discussions about what to buy relatives and let them choose items with you.
• Sit down with your children and write a letter to Father Christmas. If they want to post it, then do. Otherwise, you might like to put it on the mantelpiece -these make wonderful mementoes for both you and them later on.
• There are websites who will send your child a special letter from Father Christmas. Some will also send a special 'good' list where your child's name appears near the top of the list.
• You don't have to spend a fortune on stocking fillers. You can wrap batteries for toys up separately. Also include arts and crafts needs and perhaps a disposable camera so they can record Christmas day.