Visiting Father Christmas in his grotto will get children in the festive spirit
Most of us no longer experience the magic of Christmas the way we used to, according to a new survey.
One in three kids don't write to Santa anymore, and of those who do, 35 per cent prefer to either use a website or phone app to send him their list, or they simply cut out the mdidle man and write directly to their parents.
The survey, come out of Alton Towers Santa Sleepover Weekend, also found that 60 per cent of children won't visit Santa in his grotto this year.
Parenting expert, Dr Richard Woolfson, says: “This is a special time of the year when children can literally roll their sleeves up and have practical involvement – the more hands-on engagement children have, the more they feel emotionally connected to the magic of Christmas.
“Although the temptations of online gifts, electronic greetings cards and emails to Santa are strong, they diminish the excitement for young children. That’s why parents should consider returning to the practical traditions of the festive season that they themselves experienced when they were young.”
Here's his top tips on how you can keep the magic of Christmas alive:
1. Talk to your children. Chat with them about Christmas, not just about presents, but also about all the preparations and what they can do to help.
2. Listen to their ideas. You don’t have to do what they say but let them express any suggestions they might have for making the day itself more interesting.
3. Go shop together. Of course, you don’t want them with you when you choose their presents, yet they will enjoy a shopping outing to get presents for others.
4. Hand-make cards. They will enjoy spending an afternoon making at least a few cards themselves from their own arts and crafts materials.
5. Ask them to issue invitations. Let your children make phone calls to invite your friends and relatives to your house during the festive season.
6. Involve them in cooking. Even a young child can help stir a spoon in a bowl, or shake the salt cellar over the uncooked turkey. That helps them feel connected.
7. Go carol singing. Indoors or outdoors, what matters is that your children participate in the group singing experience. It’s fun and exciting for them.
8. Let them help with decorations. They’ll have great fun hanging decorations on the tree, and advising you on where the baubles should hang exactly.
9. Take lots of photos. Take photos each day of the children helping with the preparations during the run-up to Christmas, and on the day itself.
10. Stay positive. True, Christmas preparations are stressful – there’s so much to do. Yet aim to be positive, as that keep the magic strong for your children.