How to keep the magic alive

[Brengirl]

Our son is planning to spend the evening of Christmas Eve at our house. His youngest is 9 years old and by parental guidance still believes in Father Christmas. Last year we witnessed him posting his 'wishlist' up the chimney on 24th. What can we do this year to keep the magic alive.

[rustylady]

One of my main things was never to let Christmas start too early in our house. Presents were always carefully stashed away, not a sign of things to come. Although it was very hard work, I never put the tree or the decorations up until Christmas Eve, after the children had gone to bed. The look on their faces when they came down Christmas Morning was worth it!! Even the years I worked in a pub, got home at 2 am, decorated, put bikes together, filled Santa sacks and crawled into bed just as they were getting up shouting "has he been yet?"

[Brengirl]

One of my main things was never to let Christmas start too early in our house. Presents were always carefully stashed away, not a sign of things to come. Although it was very hard work, I never put the tree or the decorations up until Christmas Eve, after the children had gone to bed. The look on their faces when they came down Christmas Morning was worth it!! Even the years I worked in a pub, got home at 2 am, decorated, put bikes together, filled Santa sacks and crawled into bed just as they were getting up shouting "has he been yet?"

Oh I do so remember those days. We had a pub in the 1960's. Our kids were
roughly 9/8/5/2 yrs. After closing time Christmas Eve we would drag all Christmassy stuff into the kitchen and fill stockings etc. by rota. One Christmas we were so absorbed with our task that we didn't notice 4 little faces - watching!! Oh well, we managed to talk ourselves out of that one.

[shirlthegirl43]

You can't beat this...

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Gets them off to bed at a reasonable time too.