There’s no denying we’re all feeling the pinch this year, but with children to please over Christmas there are still ways to make sure the season is as magical as ever for the youngsters in your household. No matter the budget, you can still put a smile on their face with a range of thoughtful, low cost gifts and activities.
Christmas wreath making
Christmas wreaths come in all shapes and sizes, and at this time of year, what could be better than one made by your very own hands? You can choose to keep it really simple by making a rag wreath from scrap fabric – for example, old red or green bedsheets; or you can get a bit more creative and add items inspired by nature. This is a good excuse to take your child on a walk around the neighbourhood or a local park to forage for suitable treasures. I use the term “suitable” in the widest sense as it could be anything from leaves and sticks to conkers and pine cones. Even old favourites from the toy box could play a starring role on your wreath.
Next up, fashion a circle from an old wire hanger or garden wire if you have it.
Cut the scrap fabric into 20cm x 3cm strips, then tie them to the wire, covering the metal until it is hidden from view. You can then use glue to stick your pine cones and sticks to the material, along with anything else that takes your eye. Once dry, give your handmade wreath pride of place in your home.
A letter from Santa
The magic of Christmas is guaranteed on receipt of a letter from the big man himself.
You can lovingly craft a letter from Santa to your child for an £8 donation to the NSPCC. Choose from eight designs, there’s Christmas Cup Fever, Elves in Training, or a simple Spirit of Christmas border for your letter. And because you can add details such as your child’s favourite activity and their home town, as well as a recent personal achievement, you’ll have them gasping in delight that Santa knows them so well. The letter can be written in both English and Welsh.
Make sure you build up to the letter’s arrival, and cuddle up together with a hot drink to read its contents.
Attend a carol service
Whether or not you’re usually a church goer, getting together to sing carols cannot fail to get a family into the Christmas spirit. There are lots of ticketed, high profile events to choose from across the UK, but you can instead opt for a more pocket friendly choice closer to home. In the run up to Christmas, many local churches put on their own carol services, drawing in the community to soak up the Advent season. The services are likely to be free, with a request for an affordable donation as you leave.
Introduce an Icelandic tradition
Kate Claxton, director of the independent children’s publisher Really Rather Wild Books, is an advocate of Jolabokaflod. “This is an Icelandic tradition where families give each other a book on Christmas Eve and each person reads their book straight away while enjoying hot chocolate,” she says.
Jolabokaflod roughly translates to “Christmas book flood” in English and dates back to the second world war, when Icelanders gave and received books as gifts because paper was one of the few commodities not rationed at the time.
Make a cookie jar
Jo Kenny, a food writer, cookbook author and owner of GirlEatsWorld.co.uk, suggests filling glass jars with layers of cookie mix ingredients to create unusual gifts that don’t cost a fortune. Wash and clean a selection of glass containers ready to fill – empty jam jars will do fine. Kenny says: “They look really lovely especially with some ribbon tied around them. They also become a fun family activity on Christmas Day or Boxing Day when you can make the cookies together and decorate them with the kids’ favourite chocolates or sweets.”
Treasure hunt
If your child likes solving clues, this could be perfect for some Christmas Eve fun – younger children can get some help from an older sibling or adult if needed.
I personally remember turning to treasure hunts during lockdown in order to make my son’s birthday more enjoyable – there would be a clue on where to find each of his gifts and his older sister was more than happy to help join in with the search.
Kirsty Devine, owner of Simply Divine Things, recalls: “My son is nearly 15 now, but from three years upwards we’ve always started Christmas Eve with a treasure hunt in the house, and he still requests it now!
“I write clues – the first goes in his Advent calendar – and hide them around the house, with a little gift at the end, sometimes Christmas socks, sometimes a hot chocolate set, sometimes a Christmas book to read that evening before bed.”
Every donation that is given with a Letter from Santa helps the NSPCC’s Childline service answer more calls and be here for all children over the holidays. To donate and get yours, visit: letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk/letter-from-santa
Registered charity number 216401 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), SC037717 (Scotland) and 384 (Jersey).
