Making A Magical Christmas for Your Children

When I was little, Christmas was such a magical time.

I remember the eager anticipation of Father Christmas to leave presents in my stockings on Christmas Eve. While we had all the family gifts under the tree, each of us also had a stocking hanging from the fireplace lintel. And somehow by the morning those we always full of small treats that simply must have come from Father Christmas himself!

Along with all the other traditions that we kept, it was a time of excitement and wonder.

Yet there was also a bit of anxiety too. In Holland, where I grew up, there was a tradition that if you had been naughty, all you would get would be a lump of coal or a bag of salt instead of presents.

All of us kids would be secretly wondering and hoping for the best.

It all built up to a lot of excitement and a lot of awe and wonder.

And isn't that how it should be? Christmas isn't supposed to be just one more hectic day where everyone just gets stressed and harassed. Don't you wish your children could experience the same wonder and magic that you remember from your own childhood?

So where did the magic go?

Now, instead of Christmas carols sung by lamplight at our door by volunteers collecting for charity, we have tinny xmas jingles (yes, Christ has even been removed from Christmas and replaced by X, an unknown quantity).

Instead, we have a mad rush to buy, buy, buy. The presents are no longer a symbol of love, nor a focus on GIVING. Instead they have become a frantic scramble to GET as many presents as possible; to the extent that families put themselves into considerable debt to buy hundreds of dollars of gifts for their kids.

Sure, there is a frantic unwrapping of presents, followed by... Nothing. No magic. No wonder. No Warm Fuzzies. Just a heap of wrapping paper, and a collection of toys, some of which met with approval, and many of which did not.

So, this year, why not bring some of that magic back? How about spending less money on presents, and spending more effort on making Christmas a lasting memory. Here are some ideas:

Look in your local paper and see if there is a Christmas show or other event you could all attend.

Or maybe go to a carols by candlelight service.

Or what about driving around our neighborhood and taking a vote on the house with the best Christmas decorations and illuminations?

Make some gingerbread cookies together - or even get really ambitious and make a full gingerbread house! Yes, it will take some time, but the children will remember it forever - much longer than the battery powered all- walking all-talking gizmo they "desperately need".

Go play in the snow - skating, sledding, snowballs and snow angels. Be a kid yourself, again, and have a belly laugh together. Ambitious? Try building an igloo together!

Turn off the TV and play a game together - maybe a board game or, if you really want a laugh, do something like charades, Pictionary or Cranium.

Get in a classic Christmas movie - Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or the new Santa Clause series with Tim Allen playing a wonderful Santa.

And, when it does come time to open the presents - how about doing them one at a time instead of a mad scramble all at once? Each child takes turns to select a present from under the tree and pass it to the appropriate person. Yes, it will take all morning to do it. Which brings you nicely up to the family Christmas meal, followed by a walk, skate, or visit to friends.

Oh, and if you really can't stay away from the computer - why not get Santa Claus to send your child a personalized email Christmas greeting. You can do that, for free, at:

http://good-child-guide.com/email_from_santa/ (And you will get some free gifts for yourself too).

Above all, make it your goal, this year, to make Christmas a magical memory - a time that will draw you all closer together as a family, and that your children will remember for decades to come. Just as I still remember my Christmases in Holland, so many years ago.

Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

Delorus Quintal is webmaster for Hot Christmas! where you can find more articles and tips to make your Christmas truly special. Go here to schedule an email from Santa Claus, your children will love it!
Click here to get your own unique version of this article.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated