Christmas with kids. It’s what brings the magic back to Christmas.
Remember when you were a kid and you used to put out things for Santa and get giddy for when he arrives?! Then when you were older, the magic got lost. However great it was to be out in the pub until all hours on Christmas Eve just because you CAN, half the fun at Christmas is the child like enjoyment that comes with it.
So THAT’S what we have kids for. So the grown ups can act like big kids too.
On Christmas Eve, we’ll be having a party buffet style tea. Something along the lines of sandwiches, pizza slices, crisps, quiche etc.
When all that’s been cleared away and we’re all junked up, the two small people will be extremely giddy (nothing new there then) and will set about getting ready for Father Christmas.
Out will go a mince pie and a glass of milk or a small sherry for him (just a small one, mind, don’t want him drink driving that sleigh 
)
and a carrot for Rudolph to keep his energy levels up for all that sleigh pulling.
The stockings will be hung on the mantlepiece in the hope that the next morning they will be full of presents (let’s hope they’ve been good this year) and the sack goes at the end of the bed.
We’ve even been given some special ‘reindeer dust’ this year to sprinkle outside to guide the way for Rudolph.
Reindeer dust..
simply tie a mixture of porridge oats and glitter into a little polythene bag
and tie at the top.
Attach a little gift tag with a little poem or note about sprinkling glitter on the path for Santa to find his way.
Which the eldest straight away said “ooh that’s brilliant, it’s porridge oats and glitter!” It’s starting, the magic is slowly slipping away for him… 
So, will Santa have been in the morning? Yes, little children, you’d better make sure you go to sleep straight away as he won’t come if you’re wide awake, you know….
Love this Wendy! I love all the little family traditions. I think they’re really important because, as an adult, I remember all the traditions from when I was little, so hope my children will remember and treasure ours too. I love your reindeer dust idea, and even though your son can see through the magic, I bet he remembers you doing this as a grown up and will see how special it was. My blog tomorrow is about Xmas traditions too – we have some similar ones!
Super – loved it. Many thanks. Frank