Today Date Triggered Content

Christmas is undoubtedly a magical time of the year. We love the fairy-lights, the goodwill, the food, the films, even the music. What we don’t love is the never-ending to-do list. Seriously, it can be overwhelming to even consider. 

It can be a challenging time of year for many reasons, from the mental load to loneliness to strained family relationships. We’ve pulled together a few ideas to help you have a Christmas which feels good for you, whatever it looks like. 

Christmas can sometimes feel like an endurance sport – weeks of steady planning, logistics and organisation, gathering pace the closer we get to December 25th, followed by the sprint finish on the day itself, before collapsing at the finish line with a Bailey’s and the chocolate left at the bottom of the tin. 

So, why on earth would we add Elf on the Shelf into the mix? Aren’t our schedules jam-packed enough without spending precious time working out a daily schedule of audacious acts for a toy elf? Not to mention remembering to actually set the whole thing up every night (we cannot be the only ones with a nightly reminder on our phones for this – and sometimes we still manage to forget). 

Find a comfy place, snuggle up together and read a story. This could be the perfect way to end a busy day, or provide a few moments of quiet at the start of the day.  

Be brave little penguin by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees 

This week’s ideas all have a festive connection – these play ideas will give you time to talk about all the exciting and different things that are going on at this time of year.  

When we think about regulating emotions, we often think about times when our children are sad, frustrated or angry. But it is also useful to think about emotions such as excitement as needing regulation. Your child might need support to regulate this feeling of excitement too – and playing together can be a great way to do this.  

Sensory input can be calming or stimulating. Gentle swinging and rocking might help your child relax during the exciting month of December, and there are lots of ways to bring it into your day... so why not give this week’s ideas a try?  

If you’re looking for inspiration, our gift guide is full of toys and gifts we recommend. Share it with friends and family to make sure your child gets gifts they, and you, will be thrilled to open.

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.  

We are huge fans of Christmas. It’s such a magical time, with little people full of wonder and excitement – sometimes, dare we say it, verging on too much excitement!   

Alongside the trips to visit Santa, the thrill of decorating the tree and leaving snacks for the big man himself, your child might also have a nativity or Christmas carol production, later nights than usual and more sweet treats. And that can add up to be a lot for a child to handle. 

“Say thank you for your present,” is a line we will no doubt be repeating time and again at this time of year. But how much do children really understand about why? What are reasonable expectations for young children when it comes to sharing a new toy or being polite when they are given a jumper they have no interest in? And what can we do as adults to support them in these tricky situations?  

We asked our My First Five Years’ experts for their views.