Father Christmas can be one of the most magical parts of Christmas celebrations.
Most families choose to encourage a belief of Father Christmas in their children to
help make the world seem a more magical place for them.
So, how can families who keep Father Christmas real in their household keep the
magic alive for their children? Here are some ideas for indulging that childhood
innocence at Christmas time.
A Snack for Santa
You can’t beat traditional activities like this one. Most of us remember how magical
it was when, as a child, we left a mince pie and a glass of sherry out for Father
Christmas (and a carrot for Rudolph, of course) and found the plates and glass empty
the following morning, with crumbs scattered close by.
A Telltale Trail
A messy, but magical way to show your children that Father Christmas has been is to
scatter some glitter on the carpet near the Christmas tree, wet the bottom of a pair of
(clean!) boots and take a few steps through the glitter. If you’re lucky enough to have
snow at Christmas time, you could even leave some footprints on the path outside
(great for families without a chimney!).
A Thoughtful Letter
This could be a great activity for nannies, childminders or other childcare providers
to facilitate. Children could write and decorate thoughtful thank-you notes to Father
Christmas, to leave alongside the midnight snack they will leave out for him.
Attention to Detail
Remember that children notice far more than we give them credit for. Familiar
wrapping paper or a forgotten price tag could be the telltale signs that give the game
away.
Some children, especially younger ones, can find the idea of Father Christmas to be
very frightening. It is understandable – after all, who likes the idea of strange men
creeping around the house at night, even if they do come bearing gifts? There’s no
need to push the myth if you don’t want to. Many families choose to forego Father
Christmas altogether and their Christmases are no less magical for it. If you choose
to keep Father Christmas, and your child is concerned, there are some ways to help.
Many parents find it helpful to tell the child that they will tell Father Christmas to
come to the door and give the presents to the parents, therefore not coming into the
house at all.
It is also worth considering that the traditional “bribe” of the Father Christmas threat
(“If you’re not good, you won’t get any presents”) could pile a lot of pressure on
children who, when young, have little to no impulse control. Christmas time is
supposed to be fun and enjoyable – not full of worry and stress, least of all for the
little ones.
And when the time comes that the children are old enough to start figuring out that
Father Christmas cannot exist, many parents simply tell them that the spirit and magic
of Father Christmas lives in the hearts of all of us – the spirit of giving to others at
Christmas time.
…And there’s definitely truth in that.