Christmas Tips

28 November 2005 - Sue from Hadfield wrote: We don't have a chimney with an open fire, so to convince our savvy 6 year old that Father Christmas (not "Santa", please!) does exist, we told her he has a key that works in everyone's lock. A pair of muddy footprints in the porch tipped the balance to belief!! 27 November 2005 - Gaynor from West Yorkshire wrote: We go to Florida every Christmas, we have a truly magical time, great fun and lots of time with the children, which is probably the best gift they can receive. We're taking Grandma this year too and she's more excited than the kids! We have a family celebration the weekend before we go, when we exchange gifts with family who won't be with us so we get the best of both worlds - a traditional "Christmas" before we go and a magical time specially for us and the children to be together without the stress. 27 November 2005 - Connie from Coventry wrote: Christmas is the one time you can be selfish and request what you really want - you may not get it but the Christmas holidays can then take their own pace and you can really enjoy yourself. You never know - Santa might have heard! 26 November 2005 - Natasha from Strood Kent wrote: Two years ago for christmas. My partner and I on Christmas Eve night put foot prints of santas boots up the stairs a little in their room to make it look like santa has looked in on them and then in the front room by the tree were all the presents where. We left half an eatern carrot and mince pie also an empty glass of whisky. I asked my mother to write a letter to my children from santa in old style hand writing and old paper that was stained with coffee. The best part was seeing their faces in the morning knowing that santa had been. 26 November 2005 - Michele from Malvern wrote: For me Christmas is all about children. If you don't have your own, or they've grown up and flown the nest, why not volunteer an hour or two to your local school. The help is always greatly appreciated and you'll have a great time reliving your childhood! 25 November 2005 - Amanda from Harrogate wrote: Keep rolls of Christmas paper hidden from your children, this is the paper to wrap santa's presents with. Put 1 of 2 matching pillow cases at the bottom of your childs bed for santa to fill. This means you only need to go once into their bedroom during the night to replace the full "sack" (pillow case)for the empty one. 25 November 2005 - Fiona from Penicuik, Midlothian wrote: I have a great idea to let the kids think santa has been. My mum used to mix oats and glitter and sprinkle it around the livingroom and the fireplace, we would then be told it was magic dust. 25 November 2005 - Jeannie from North Herts wrote: To leave Santa's footprints... Lay out an old newspaper and sprinkle talc onto it, get a pair of mens shoes and tread them into the talc, now tread the boots through the house from the fireplace to the bottom of the stairs and up until nomore footprints are visible. Proof that Father Xams has been. And don't forget to be cross at Him for leaving muddy footprints in your house!! 22 November 2005 - Amy from Exeter wrote: Christmas is for relaxing and enjoying time with your family and friends. Make sure you relax this Christmas. 2 November 2005 - Sarah from Neath-South Wales wrote: Christmas can get so expensive.  Our family is quite big so the adults play 'kris kringle' it is our version of secret santa.  Each person has a set budget and just one member of the family to buy for.  We all submit a wish list and so buying for your secret person is made easier.  It works well, everyone gets something they want and we don't spend a fortune.  Of course we don't do this for the little ones - santa brings their presents! 2 November 2005 - Jodie from London: Sometimes it is hard to please everyone on Christmas day - you plan everything perfectly but there is always someone who isn't happy.  My tip is 'don't plan too much' go with the flow and see how much fun the day will become when you don't set any expectations.