With only 3 sleeps left until elves everywhere head back to the North Pole with Santa, you’re probably running low on ideas of what to do next.
To help, we’ve put together a list of 5 last-minute ‘Elf on the Shelf’ ideas that are quick and easy to put together.
The holiday season, often dubbed as ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ brings its share of festive cheer and, let’s admit, a considerable amount of stress. Between finding the perfect gifts, preparing for family gatherings, and managing excited children, the essence of Christmas can sometimes be lost in the chaos. Here’s a guide to help families and nannies navigate this joyful yet overwhelming season, ensuring it remains a magical time for everyone, especially the little ones
The holiday season, often dubbed as ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ brings its share of festive cheer and, let’s admit, a considerable amount of stress. Between finding the perfect gifts, preparing for family gatherings, and managing excited children, the essence of Christmas can sometimes be lost in the chaos. Here’s a guide to help families and nannies navigate this joyful yet overwhelming season, ensuring it remains a magical time for everyone, especially the little ones.
Christmas is synonymous with giving, but it doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. Handmade gifts, setting spending limits, or organizing a Secret Santa are thoughtful ways to exchange presents without the stress of overspending. Remember, the best gifts often come from the heart, not the wallet.
The magic of Christmas isn’t found in how packed your schedule is, but in the quality of time spent. Avoid overfilling your holiday itinerary. Young children, in particular, can find too many activities overwhelming alongside the excitement and routine changes that Christmas brings.
With the excitement of the holidays, sugar rushes, and disrupted routines, children’s meltdowns can be inevitable. When they happen, it’s essential to approach them with empathy. Recognize their feelings, offer comfort, and understand that it’s just as overwhelming for them as it can be for you.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s crucial to find time to relax. Whether it’s enjoying a hot cup of cocoa, reading a book, or simply putting your feet up, taking time for yourself will help maintain your wellbeing, allowing you to enjoy the festivities more fully.
Ultimately, Christmas is about love, family, and togetherness. Let go of the little things and cherish the time you have with your loved ones. Create memories, savor the moments of joy, and capture the magic in the eyes of children as they experience the wonders of the season.
This Christmas, let’s strive to make the holiday less
This classic tale of Santa’s journey on Christmas Eve is a must-read for any child. The rhyming prose and beautiful illustrations are sure to spark imaginations and create lasting memories.
This captivating story follows a young boy named Billy to the North Pole on board a magical train. With its stunning visuals and captivating plot, The Polar Express is a timeless classic that will transport readers to a world of wonder and excitement.
This hilarious tale about the grumpy Grinch who tries to steal Christmas is a favorite among children of all ages. The rhyming text and Dr. Seuss’s signature illustrations make for a truly entertaining read.
This heartwarming story follows Charlie Brown’s journey to find the true meaning of Christmas. With its memorable characters and timeless message, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic that will resonate with readers of all ages.
This enchanting tale follows Clara on a magical adventure through a realm of talking toys and dancing mice. With its rich setting and captivating plot, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a delightful bedtime story that will transport readers to a world of magic and wonder.
In addition to these five, here are a few other great Christmas books for bedtime stories:
These books are sure to create lasting memories for your little ones as they grow up and cherish the magic of Christmas.
Happy reading!
It’s that time of year again when there’s excitement in the air and our little ones get to experience the magic of Christmas! London is bustling with festivity this year and there’s plenty for you to do with the kids to make this Christmas one to remember…
It’s that time of year again when there’s excitement in the air and our little ones get to experience the magic of Christmas! London is bustling with festivity this year and there’s plenty for you to do with the kids to make this Christmas one to remember…
Christmas Pantomimes
Step into the world of fairy tales with performances of Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and more! London theatres are hosting a variety of magical shows this year – so why not book your tickets and enjoy the whimsical world of storytelling and laughter!
Ice skating
Whether it’s the ice rink at Winter Wonderland, Somerset house, the Natural History, or Battersea Power Station, ice skating is a timeless activity that promises a good time for the whole family. Bundle up and hit the rink for some frosty fun!
Santa’s Grottos
From the iconic Winter Wonderland’s Santaland to the charming set-ups at John Lewis, the London Transport Museum, and the Museum of London Docklands, there are plenty of opportunities for your little ones to share their wishes with Santa!
Christmas Markets
Explore the charming Christmas markets scattered throughout London this year – from Winter by the River at London Bridge to Trafalgar Square, the historic Greenwich Market, Leicester Square, and the Southbank Centre Winter Market, you’ll find everything from handmade crafts to tasty treats. Let the kids take-in the festivities & enjoy the Chrismtasy delights!
Christmas Lights
Journey through the sparkling streets of London and see the festive lights & Christmas decorations illuminating Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, and all around London which are sure to leave your little ones wide-eyed and in awe!
Embrace the magic, share in the joy, and create lasting memories with your little ones this Christmas!
This blog was written by Nannytax, the award-winning and UK leading nanny payroll experts with 30 years of experience.
Discover more about Nannytax here.
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen with some healthy and delicious Christmas snacks for children. Whether you’re a nanny, parent, or caregiver, these festive snack ideas are sure to delight the little ones and provide a nutritious twist to the holiday treats.
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen with some healthy and delicious Christmas snacks for children. Whether you’re a nanny, parent, or caregiver, these festive snack ideas are sure to delight the little ones and provide a nutritious twist to the holiday treats.
Create a fun and festive snack using slices of kiwi stacked to form a Christmas tree. Add raspberries or strawberries as ornaments and a piece of star fruit at the top.
Dip strawberries in Greek yogurt to create a ‘Santa hat’, and use chia seeds or mini chocolate chips for the eyes. It’s a simple and sweet treat that’s also good for them.
Wrap cheese sticks in clear plastic and draw a snowman face with a permanent marker. It’s an easy and fun way to add a festive touch to a simple snack.
Spread almond or peanut butter on rice cakes and use pretzels for antlers, raisins for eyes, and a red grape or cherry tomato for the nose.
Arrange broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and yellow bell peppers on a plate to form a Christmas wreath. Serve with a bowl of hummus for dipping.
Blend bananas, Greek yogurt, a dash of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to create a smoothie that tastes like gingerbread but is packed with health benefits.
Serve apple slices with red and green colored dips made from yogurt or blended berries for a healthy and festive snack.
Make small popcorn balls using air-popped popcorn and bind them with a bit of honey. Add a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
Cut pita bread into Christmas tree shapes and top with green pesto, chopped veggies, and cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted.
Use slices of cucumber and carrot sticks to create reindeer faces. Hummus or cream cheese can be used to stick on raisin eyes and a cherry tomato nose.
These snack ideas are not only healthy but also incredibly fun to make and eat. They are sure to bring some extra joy and nutrition to your little ones’ holiday season!
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.
Amid the shopping, toys, hustle and bustle of Christmas time, it is easy to forget the
real meaning behind it all. Children become carried away with the excitement of the
promise of new toys (and who could blame them?), and parents become fixated with
preparing for the day itself.
It seems that most of us could benefit from taking some time out from the hype as the
big day approaches.
So how can we ensure that we, and our children, remember what Christmas is really
all about?
Giving
The theme of giving runs strong at Christmas. We all know that presents are usually a
substantial part of Christmas excitement – whether we are excited to give or receive.
It’s natural to be excited about receiving gifts, and this shouldn’t be shamed or
quashed – however, placing an emphasis on giving is a wonderful thing also. There
are some really great ways you can do this for children:
• Together with the children, choose some old toys to donate to a charity shop,
refuge or children’s home. This will not only teach the children about the
value of giving to those less fortunate, but it will make space for the new toys
they will get at Christmas. However, the toy-donating shouldn’t be forced, as
it could be very traumatic for a child to unwillingly give away a much loved
toy. They should be able to give freely, or choose not to, or it defies the point
of giving in the first place.
• Encourage children to choose gifts for their siblings and friends themselves,
rather than relying on you to do so.
• Bake some Christmas-themed biscuits, mince pies or other treats together and
take them to a local old people’s home to give out to the residents. Some of
the residents will have few visitors at Christmas time, smiling children bearing
baked goods is bound to cheer a lonely heart.
Family
Christmas truly is a time for family – whether they are blood relatives, or our chosen
family. Today’s world is a big one, and families are often scattered across the globe
rather than living in close-knit communities. If this is the case for you, encourage the
children to make Christmas cards for absent friends and family members who cannot
be with you at this special time of the year. You could even organise a Christmas
carol sing-along over webcam for family members living abroad.
Christmas can also be an emotional time for families who are, sadly, missing some
members. Many people traditionally remember their loved ones who are no longer
with them with small ‘memorial services’ at home. This can be a great way to help
children grieve healthily. Grief is a powerful emotion, and children need to know that
they can express their grief openly with the support of their parents.
So, if you’re feeling the Christmas anxiety creeping in, try to relax and remember
what it’s all about. And most importantly, enjoy yourself!
Forget the presents, simply be present this Christmas!
Think about it honestly. How many times have you noticed yourself being with your child, but you’re not fully engaged? Maybe you were on your phone checking social media or emails. Perhaps you were simply running through all the things you still need to do to prepare for Christmas. Being there, but not being present is something we’re all guilty of occasionally, but Christmas time brings with it a real opportunity to make a change.
Continue reading “The Greatest Gift You Can Give This Christmas is Your Time”
When the weather outside is frightful…it’s time for Christmas crafts!
Dust off that craft box and try these fun Christmas craft ideas – get messy, create something new and have fun!
How are you getting on with that mischievous little man (or woman) known as Elf on the Shelf. It can be difficult to think of new mischief for your elf to get up to, especially if this isn’t the first year he’s come to stay.
That’s why we’ve put together plenty of new Elf on the Shelf ideas to help delight children of all ages this Christmas!
