Let your traditions grow

Waiting for the Christmas ads has become an annual event in itself, and this year’s from John Lewis is all about traditions. We aren’t suggesting you run out to find a giant venus flytrap (if you’ve seen it, you’ll know what we mean!) but it’s a reminder that you can make your own traditions – and break those which don’t bring you joy.

Think about your experience of traditions as you approach the festive season. If they fill you with dread, it’s time to take a step back and review them.

You can decide which stay and which will go for you and your family. Keep, or start, rituals which fit your family’s values and feel right.

We’ve been inspired by the Christmas ad, so are going to give a few suggestions for traditions around decorating your home for celebrations.

Babies

If your baby is on the move for the first time, the thought of protecting your decorations from their curious grip might be top of your list.

Why not rethink decorations for the rooms your baby plays in – have twinkly lights out of reach and maybe choose another space for your tree!

What you need

Twinkling lights
A space blanket (one of the silver blankets used for first aid or after running a marathon!)
Non-breakable decorations with no small parts

What to try

When it’s time to decorate, use the decorations for some sensory play first.
Arrange the decorations on a mat or in a basket.
Use the space blanket and lights for some extra sparkly visual stimulation (keep the lights out of reach).
Place your baby where they can reach the decorations and give them time to touch them.
Watch as your baby looks at and explores the decorations.
If you don’t have anything suitable for your baby to hold and explore, place the decorations and lights on a shelf out of reach.
Look at them together and chat about what you can see.

Toddlers

What you need

Ribbon, string, wool or pipe cleaners in festive colours

What to do

Go for a walk and collect some sticks and branches.
Talk to your child about which ones they think will make good decorations.
Take the sticks home and clean them if necessary.
Show your toddler how to wrap the string or wool around the stick.
If your toddler finds this tricky, do it together with each of you holding a bit of the string or wool.
Once the twigs are wrapped, decide how to display them – you could place them in a tub or pot, or if they’re smaller hang them with some other decorations.

Wrapping sticks is a brilliant fine motor workout for your toddler, and this could become a decorating tradition that you use at other times of the year too.

Children

What to try

Go for an after-dark walk and see what decorations you can spot.
You could repeat this each week in December and talk about what has changed each time you go out.
You and your child could write a simple card to put through someone’s door telling them how much you like their Christmas lights.
If you celebrate Christmas, your final walk could be on Christmas Eve, this might even help your excited child to settle to sleep.

Other ideas for all children

Pick a festive soundtrack for when you put up decorations.
Have a small tree or a twig and some non-breakable decorations for your child to decorate however they want (resist moving things when they’ve gone to bed!)
Make your own decorations together, this could be with salt dough, or simply colouring cardboard shapes.
Take a photo of your child, print it and stick it on a circle of card – do this each year and see how your child has grown since the last festive season!

We’d love to hear about your traditions (old and new) - visit our Facebook community to share them.