Making A Magical Christmas for Your Children

When I was a kid, Christmas was something absolutely magical.

Indeed, I remember, at about 5 years of age, the wonder and awe of Sinterklaas himself, AND his moorish helpers, called Zwarte Pieten (Black Pete's) coming to my little school in Leiden, Holland.

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

And there was also a bit of tension to it. Had we kids been good enough through the year to receive Christmas gifts? Of would we just receive a lump of coal or bag of salt for our naughtiness.

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

That bit of uncertainty added yet more magic and mystique to the whole event. It was not just a "given" that there would be heaps of presents on Christmas day - Santa really did check his list twice!

Isn't that what Christmas should be about for children? Isn't that why, in the famous response to Virginia's letter, Francis Church said "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,"? He knew that the magic of Christmas was what mattered, and certainly didn't want to spoil that.

So what happened?

It seems that over the years, commerce has become King. Out goes Jesus, the "reason for the season". Out go, the camaraderie and goodwill of Christmas the simple joys of visiting with friends and family, that lovely tradition of community carol singing - remember that? People went from door to door to sing carols and to collect donations for charity - not themselves! A far cry from Halloween, (when they don't sing, they just blackmail you with a trick or treat).

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, how about, this year, bringing some of that magic back for your children? You don't have to spend a heap of money to make Christmas magical. All it takes is a bit of planning, and a bit of time. Here are some suggestions:

Check your local paper for events that you could go to. Maybe a Christmas show.

Go to a carols by candlelight service.

And what about a drive around the community to look at the lights and Christmas decorations? Have a vote on which were the best. And then go for a coffee and hot chocolate together.

Another idea is to do some Christmas baking together - perhaps making gingerbread men - or even a gingerbread house.

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.

Watch a classic Christmas movie together. My favorites are Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the new Santa Clause series with Tim Allen.

Then, when it is time to open the presents, take your time. Do them one by one, so everyone can share in the joy of giving and receiving as each gets to see what everyone else gave and got. Then, after Christmas Dinner, take a walk together, or visit friends or relatives.

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).

Bottom line? Take time to enjoy the season. Make an effort to do things that will lay down memories, and that will be magical for your kids. May you have a very merry Christmas.

Article Source: http://www.parentingarticlelibrary.com

Delorus Quintal is editor for Hot Christmas! where you can find more articles and tips to make your Christmas truly special. Don't forget to also set up an email from Santa Claus, your children will love it!
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