The moment when children realize that Santa isn't real is often a difficult one. Most of us remember with no small amount of embarrassment - but also a sense that that moment was when we lost our innocence. Part of the magic of Christmas as a child is to look wonderingly at a Christmas Eve night, hoping and praying that Santa is going to visit and that you're on the Good list. It's an innocence and magic we wish to preserve in our children for as long as possible, and to that end, here's a quick list of things to do to make Santa's visit appear all the more convincing:
1. Take a bite out of the mince pie / cookie!
It's so simple, but so often forgotten. If your children leave food out for Santa, make sure you take a convincing bite. The same goes for any drinks left out - take a swig. Your kids will be delighted that Santa enjoyed their offering, and you'll get something tasty too.
2. Icing sugar footprints.
All you need is a sieve and a white powder - icing sugar pre-mix is best for the job - and you've got the tools to make some convincing Santa footprints. Pour the powder into the sieve and sprinkle a route from the chimney to beneath the tree, just like Santa would walk in his snow-covered boots from Lapland.
3. Sign a couple of gifts "From Santa"
A small touch but a nice one. While the majority of your gifts can say "from Mom and Dad", add in a couple that are signed by the man himself.
The Dreaded Christmas List
At some point in November, children across the globe sit down and thoughtfully pen their letter to Santa. For many parents, this is a moment of horror, when the desires of our children are laid out. Particularly in tough economic times, a dollar-demanding list can be a cause of high anxiety. Given that we naturally want our children to have what they want, many parents will get into debt this Christmas trying to meet their children's requirements.
To try and prevent such a crisis, there needs to be some ground rules. Naturally, your children are not to know these are ground rules as such - after all, Santa is making the toys, you're not buying them - but the spirit is the same. Before they make their list, tell your kids that Santa is very busy this year and only has time to make a set number of presents. Allocate each child the same number, and tell them they have to stick to it, with one alternate.
Children may not like this, but it's necessary if you want to avoid debt following the Christmas holiday. It also teaches children a good lesson in channeling their desires to get what they really want; something which will come in useful in later life. Of course, if you find you have a little more cash than you'd expected, you can always add gifts. By asking them to prioritize, you can be sure that more effort and thought will go into the list than if they had just written down everything they could think of.
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Want to find out more about Christmas , then visit The Money Side of Christmas's site on how to choose the best Xmas for your needs.
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