How to Survive Christmas with Kids
Christmas is the most magical time of the year, especially when you have little ones around. But the festive season can bring it’s own set of stresses and worries for parents. To help you prepare for the big day we have written up some tips and tricks to ensure the whole family has a joyous and stress-free (we hope!) christmas.
Prepare, prepare, prepare. And then prepare some more
Christmas is chaotic, especially when you have children around! Preparing for the big day is probably the best thing you can do for your sanity, bank account and happiness. Start the Christmas preparation as early as you can. We don’t mean August, but starting preparations in November can save you a lot of last minute panic buying. When you are in the shops or browsing online, don’t hesitate to order gifts for other people and your children as and when you see them. Even if you are out one Saturday with your child and they spot a little toy in October, buy it and save it as a stocking filler for Christmas. It is also a good idea to get your children to write their Christmas list to Santa late November or early December so you have plenty of time to read it and buy whichever items off of their list before the mad Christmas rush begins.
Budget
It can be hard to find any leftover pennies at the end of each month these days, but if you do have any, it can be really helpful in the long run to create a ‘sinking fund’. This is basically just a savings account for something specific, such as Christmas spending. You add in a certain amount, or any leftover money at the end of each week or month and by the time you need to use it, it won’t feel like such a big hit as you’ve been slowly building it up. November is not too late to start this, if you can, you will thank your past self for even a few pounds saved over the course of a month! We also know that it can be hard to set boundaries when it comes to buying gifts for loved ones; we just want to see that smile on their face when they unwrap their gifts. This is why setting up a budget before you enter that shop or click to open a new tab is essential to keeping your spending in check. It can also be helpful to agree a spending limit with those who you will be buying for as this eliminates the stress of feeling like you may be buying something ‘worth less’ than what you are given, which we know is not the point in gift giving, but it doesn’t stop those lingering insecurities. When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for your children, it is easy to splurge on a huge array of fantastic toys you know they will love. However, the reality is that they are unlikely to play with all the gifts and gadgets they get, and they will inevitably be receiving an array of toys from friends and family too. To avoid this from happening, it can always be a good idea to set categories for the gifts you are giving your children. For example: something they need, something they can read, something they can wear and something that they want. This can really help with controlling your spending and is also a useful tool to ensuring you are spending similar amounts of money on each child. Likewise, when it comes to buying stocking filler, buy each child almost identical items (providing they are of similar ages). This will save you from the arguments of who got what and will also make budgeting a whole lot simpler!
Meet chaos with calm
Christmas morning can be filled with every emotion under the sun for children, with so many people to see, presents to open and foods to eat. There are a few ways in which we can help them to regulate their emotions, especially when it comes to not receiving a specific gift they wanted. It is most helpful to start this work early by emphasising gratitude and giving over receiving, but at the moment you hear the dreaded, ‘I didn’t want this, I wanted [insert whichever toy was featured in the TV ads this year]’, you need some more immediate solutions. Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge your child’s disappoint so they feel heard and understood. Then, it can be helpful to share a memory of a time when you have been disappointed about not getting something that you wanted (even if it’s a made up memory). Keep the focus on all the wonderful things they did receive and get them talking about all the fun they can have with the toys they do have. Another way you can help to avoid feelings of disappointment is to highlight or introduce family traditions around Christmas, so that the emphasis is on those traditions, such as decorating the tree with handmade decorations, rather than the tradition of presents. An excellent tool for pushing the focus onto giving rather than receiving gifts is to have your children donate some of their old toys to charity. Give your child a box and go around the house with them gathering a couple of items they have outgrown or just don’t use anymore. This is a good way of clearing out old books and toys but also encourages your child to think of children who are less fortunate than themselves who may not receive gifts of their own at Christmas time. It is important your child sees this through until the end and goes with you to drop off the toys at the charity shop or donation station.
Perfect doesn’t exist
We all want to provide our children with the perfect Christmas, but perfect doesn’t exist. There is usually a lot going on throughout Christmas Day and the days leading up to, and following it. If we accept that not all of these things will go to plan and maybe our children’s behaviour won’t be quite as good as usual, it’ll be easier to relax and let go of the small things on the actual day. This isn’t to say that unwanted behaviours should go without any consequences or discussions, but if you keep in mind that Christmas can be overwhelming for children too it can help you manage your expectations for how smoothly the day will go.
Pre-discuss any rule or routine changes
If you are going to allow your children to have a change of the usual routine and rules around the holiday season, it is essential that you discuss this with your partner or other adults around the children. Pre-determining if you are going to let your children have chocolate for breakfast on Christmas day or if the children can stay up later than normal will save any arguments or moments of dispute with your partner around what can already be a stressful holiday. Clear these rule changes with other families members who are going to be around your children during Christmas, this way your mum wont be telling off your children for something you have allowed, making you stressed.
London Christmas Activities for Children
Mid November - early January. Adult £29, children aged 4-15 £19, children under 4 go free. Family tickets available.
Around the holidays this botanical paradise is transformed into a twinkling show of lights spreading Christmas joy through the air. Watch the dazzling light display over the lake, or walk under canopies of lights. Pause beside the flickering flames in the fire garden, or reflect under the trees soaked in bright colours. Christmas at Kew is a must for anyone with little ones.
£5-£7.50 entry, depending on entry times.
We recommend going during the day, especially on a weekday, if you can. Yes, you will have to go without the lights, but the lack of crowds and queues makes it worth it, especially if you have younger children who get overwhelmed in busy environments.
Adults £16.30, children aged 3-12 £12.30. The ice rink is open daily from 10 am to 10pm from Friday 10th November 2023 until Sunday 7th January 2024 (excluding Christmas day).
The first hour of every day is a dedicated Quiet Hour specifically designed for those who are sensitive to sensory elements. The rink runs at a reduced capacity mitigating any sensory triggers by reducing the music and avoiding any strobe lighting to provide a safe atmosphere where everyone can enjoy their skating experience.
14th November - 7th January. Tickets from £29-69.
This new Christmas event is brought to us by the team behind Secret Cinema, so we have high hopes for it. Wishmas is an immersive experience aimed at pre and primary school children, along with their family, but anyone who wishes to experience a bit of Christmas magic is welcome! Wonder through fabulously festive rooms meeting all the Christmas characters as you discover the story of where all the Christmas wishes go.
The Gingerbread City at Westfield White City
2nd December 2023 – 7th January 2024. Adult tickets for ages over 12 are £18.50, and tickets for ages 3 to 12 are £12.50. Under 3s go free, maximum 2 per parent or guardian.
There are several Gingerbread workshops throughout the day that are approximately one hour long. Your visit will start at the Gingerbread city exhibition and will be followed by the Gingerbread workshop. Discover a city made entirely from gingerbread!
Father Christmas Storytelling at Chelsea Physic Garden
2nd – 3rd, 9th – 10th, 16th – 17th December 2023. Tickets are £12.50 per child (includes gift) and £10.50 for accompanying adults.
Tickets include entry to the Garden on that day. Enjoy a magical storytelling experience at a festive themed grotto in Chelsea’s Physic Garden. Children will receive a wonderful gift and will have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa Claus.
