In our house, we have stupidly small stockings over the fireplace for chocolate coins and we have an annual visit to Stephen Smiths at the start of December where the kids each pick one new decoration for the mantelpiece garland. The decorations grow with the children and its a lovely reminder of their younger years!
If you are looking for inspiration for a new tradition to begin here are a few ideas…
Bake a Christmas Cake
We had great fun this year taking the reins from Grandad and following his recipe to make Christmas Cakes. The children always enjoy baking but they really enjoyed making the cakes for all the family! There are lots of good recipes available online. Any cake needs to be made sooner rather than later to ensure plenty of time for maturing!
Make Christmas Biscuits
My Mini Mumbler love a good baking session and these biscuits are super easy! We cheated and decorated digestives with icing but if you have more time you could always bake your own. All you need for decorating is some coloured roll out icing and some shape cutters. We used the left over Christmas cake icing and icing pens to create some wonderful (if a bit wonky) snowmen!
Elf On The Shelf
A lovely tradition to get the kids in the festive spirit from the start of December. The Elf moves around the house, getting up to mischief each night while the kids sleep! If you are running out of ideas for the little mischief-maker check out our blog packed with Elf on the Shelf ideas!
Christmas Eve Boxes
Whether you fill them with new pyjamas, slippers and a book to read on Christmas eve or fill it full of crafts to keep the little ones entertained, a Christmas Eve Box is bound to increase the excitement!
Some great ideas for your Christmas eve box are:
Homemade Christmas Decorations
There are lots of ways to create homemade decorations. Here is our Top 3!
Salt dough Decorations
Ingredients
Bead or Button Decorations
The kids will love creating these decorations! AND they will help develop fine motor skills!
Bead Candy Canes:
Take a pipe cleaner, thread red and white beads alternatively onto the pipe cleaner. Fastern off each end and bend into a crock shape for the perfect candy cane decoration!
Button Christmas Trees:
Take a handful of green buttons and stack in decending order until you have a triangle shape. Add a red bead at the wide end for the base. Thread cotton through and hang.
Lolly Stick Decorations
Let the kids imaginations run wild! All you need are some lolly sticks, pompoms, buttons and some paint! Think Father Christmas, Rudolph, Snowman…
Boxing Day Walk
We are so lucky in Wharfedale & Craven to be blessed with some beautiful and FREE outdoor spaces to explore. Walk off the turkey and chocolates on Boxing day with a family walk. Find a new spot to explore here.
Decorate a Gingerbread House
You can pick up a gingerbread house kit from most of the local supermarkets for around £6. The Mini-Mumblers absolutely love decorating one at Christmas!
If you are more ‘Mary Berry’ than ‘supermarket chic’ then you can find a recipe and template to bake your own here.
Go On A Christmas Lights Hunt
People go to town on Christmas lights, why not take a walk around your neighbourhood and see who can spot the lights first!
Make Reindeer Food
Mix together a combination of birdseed, rolled oats, sunflower seeds, and red and green sugar crystals. Sprinkle it in the snow for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve.
Please stay clear of actual glitter or any non-food items which could harm any wildlife who may happen upon it.
Start A Good Moments Jar
Take an empty jar and each week add a note with a good thing that happened. One New Years Eve 2019 open the jar & read about the amazing year your family has had!
Watch a Christmas Film
Enjoying a festive film as a family can really help put you in the festive spirit! Find our pick of the best festive films to watch together here!
