Spill the beans... on your free Christmas magic for kids tips

*Louise*

Reading about the magic key reminded me of somthing my 6yo DS2 said the other day:

We went in the house and he was asking why the magic key on the door was so big because there was no way it could possibly fit in the keyhole (he's not daft! :rotfl:)

I explained to him it's big so burglars can't use it (lol) but that Santa sprinkles magic dust on it when he picks it up and it shrinks to the exact size to fit the keyhole....

He just shook his little head and said 'wow, that Santa really IS amazing!!

:rotfl::rotfl:

moneybunny123

As it's coming up to that time of year again, I thought I'd bump this. I love some of the suggestions on here.

*Louise*

I've just read my posts on this page and it's triggering some lovely memories :j:j:j

moneysavingmumofone

We always have several christmas lights drives, only costs the price of a bit of petrol and its really magical with christmas music on and all wrapped up warm. Then home for hot choc!

moneybunny123

This isn't at all a money saving tip, but a great tip I heard on the radio. You tell your little ones (who still believe in Santa) that everytime the little red light blinks in the corner of the room (on burglar alarm detectors) that it's Santa watching their behaviour. My nearly-3 year old's behaviour changes instantly the moment I point to the sensor flashing. (naughty mummy)

l0ubbl0u

moneybunny123 wrote: »

This isn't at all a money saving tip, but a great tip I heard on the radio. You tell your little ones (who still believe in Santa) that everytime the little red light blinks in the corner of the room (on burglar alarm detectors) that it's Santa watching their behaviour. My nearly-3 year old's behaviour changes instantly the moment I point to the sensor flashing. (naughty mummy)

Me and hubbie told my siblings this years ago when they were misbehaving and it worked a dream. We then told a similar version to ds but he has a camera by the lights. It was so cute a few weeks ago ds aged 8 went 'I saw the camera last year as I saw the flash of the camera.'

moneybunny123

l0ubbl0u wrote: »

Me and hubbie told my siblings this years ago when they were misbehaving and it worked a dream. We then told a similar version to ds but he has a camera by the lights. It was so cute a few weeks ago ds aged 8 went 'I saw the camera last year as I saw the flash of the camera.'

Yes, it really does work a treat. The other day, my nearly 3YO was asking for a specific wooden train ("Spencer") to go with the rest of his Thomas The Tank wooden trains. I told him that he'd have to wait and see what Santa brought him. He turned to the burglar alarm sensor and shouted "Santa! I'd like Spencer for Christmas!" So cute!

ruthybabs

I love reading all these ideas and LOVE Christmas! We have always had new PJs on Christmas eve but after reading a thread on here a few years ago they are now brought as a leaving present by our Christmas Elf who arrives on December 1st (with his wife now!)

The elves get upto all sorts of mischief as well as bringing craft things and recipes for biscuits etc for the kids to do during December. They also occasionally bring a Christmas story book, DVD or game if I come across one in a £1 shop or similar. There isn't a present everyday-maybe once or twice a week but they're often things I'd have bought anyway. The elves emptied the advent calendar last year, hid in the freezer, climbed the Christmas tree, got drunk on dad's beer and various other silly things-the kids love looking for them every morning! They also get letters from Santa and obviously the elves are here to keep an eye on their behaviour. DH thought I was mad at first but he's really quite into it now and loves thinking up new tricks for the elves or spotting "elf presents."

The older girls (13 and 15) are responsible for letters etc and get quite creative and it helps the younger ones (6 and 4) to get excited.

We go to a Christingle service which is lovely and always do shoeboxes for eastern Europe so the children are involved in choosing presents and being aware of how lucky they are compared to some.

We sprinkle reindeer food and do the usual snacks on Christmas eve and spend hours tracking Santa on Norad. Last year we managed to get some e-books through a post on here free which were lovely and became elf presents-personalised adverntures with kid's names and photos, friends names etc in.

It's always a treat to go upto town and see the department store window too-a tradition from DH's childhood.

islandgirl8

I've just discovered this thread and LOVE it! I thought I'd share a favourite tradition in our house too. We have an advent calendar (fabric with small pockets) and I tuck in a note every day with things like "We are off to see a movie today" or "Time to make the ginger bread house today" Some are linked to Christmas prep and others are things like "Let's read a book of your choice this afternoon after homework" or "Let's take a few things to the charity shop today". My daughter (12) loves it and races downstairs every day during December just to find out what the notes is for that day. It's a challenge to get creative but so worth it

dory22

Edinburghlass wrote: »

A more modern twist my neighbours do with their kids is to send up their letters to Santa via a Chinese lantern, biodegradable of course.

biodegradable or not they harm wildlife there was an owl found in our area that had died because it got caught up in one also i heard one landed in someones garden and caught fire to their fence the things are dangerous to animals and at times people.

my parents never really did anything magical at christmas for us, but when i have children i would like to leave foot prints and notes etc.