Christmas Survival guide

So the children have now broken up for Christmas and they are in full wind down and playing mode. Homework bags are now packed away for the next two weeks they are on count down to the big day.

Despite the children being off, many parents need to juggle entertaining the children with work commitments and as a working parent you know you have a lot to get through over the next 3 weeks…is it really three weeks? – it sounds worse when you say it out loud.

If there was an ideal way to spend Christmas, you would might spend it by yourself or with a loved one, or hire in all sorts of help.  Like Jamie in the Kitchen for the big day.  Stephen Fry for erudite conversation over the Christmas table.  Maybe  Paul Burrell to help serve Jamie’s wonderful Christmas dinner.  And finally Kim and Aggie to clean up afterwards.

But…we are not in this privileged position, so we will have to plan and get through the pre-Christmas wrapping and gift selection, accommodation and catering arrangements, party arrangements both at home and friends and the thorny issues of television scheduling for the kids.  So here are some thoughts;

Presents: The trick here is no bad surprises.  Not an easy one to get right.  But if you are confident enough to know your own children that’s all well and good.  But otherwise ask for barcode, make, model, colour, size and web address.

Other people’s presents: One hour per gift max.

Unwanted gifts: In a word.  EBAY

Child-minder. No criminal record is preferable.

The food. Okay, so we would like the children to try something new and persuade them that brussell sprouts are actually tasty and good for you.

Television.  Acquiesce.  There’s usually nothing much on over the festive period so try as you might, give up straight away.  Give the control over to the children.

Video Games.  Some of the older children will no doubt be give video games as a replacement for their parents love and attention [sorry for the sarcasm].  Some parents actually get games where the whole family can get involved.  Either way try and limit the amount of exposure to the demon in the corner.

School. I know a few parents who use this spare time to consolidate and catch up with homework.  By all means it’s an excellent idea, but try and give the children a break.

Travel.  Yep there is no denying that as a Nation, over the festive period we all jump into our cars and set off around the country to visit family and friends.  All I can say is try and not return home after a stressful number of days away on night before the children return to school.

Most families know that there is a certain amount of chaos that comes into your life around Christmas.  Whatever you are doing this Christmas, all of us at Simply Stuck wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Top 11 resources for Christmas Crafts

Children and craft go hand in hand. But it’s the sort of thing that only really takes place in the presence of kids.

I remember, years ago now, spending lots of time creating Christmas paper chains, crumpled up tissue snow-men, Christmas cards and paper baubles.

There was been a 30 year gap and with the introduction of my two little ones, I am now back into full craft mode.

So as part of our Surviving Christmas Guide, we have come up with a list of useful Craft websites to get the kids involved with and to brighten up your home.

Christmas Craft for kids

If you are like me you probably can’t remember the craftie thing you got up to as a child. So I have complied a list of some useful resources to inspire you, get your creative juices flowing and help you get through the festive break emotionally unscarred.

Christmas Colouring-in

Colouring in is always a firm favourite of mine. I think most children enjoy getting the colouring pens out. He is a simple selection from Google’s image search. Google is a great resource. Don’t be afraid of searching for your own preferences. If your child want to colour in Santa then simply type in Santa Colouring in and click on images.

Find Website: Christmas Colouring in

Cotton Wool Snowman

This one needs some things out of the craft box and recycling bin.  Lots of fun and at the end they can sit in the window.

Find Website: Cotton wool snowman

If you have a young child around 2 years of age this might suit you.
Paper Mache Santa

Create your own Nativity Scene

This nativity scene is a really lovely way of getting across the Christmas message.  Your child can stick and re-arrange the various elements of the nativity scene.  Ideal for re-enforcing the nativity story, just before the school play.

Find Website: Nativity Scene

Got any ice lolly sticks

I love this ‘Ice Lolly’ Santa.  We made it last year and it was positioned pride of place in the middle of the tree.  Great fun and very straight forward.

Find Website: Ice lolly stick Santa

Snowman Sock

I love this one for being really simply and straight-forward.

Find Website: Sock Snowman

Pro Craft – Expert Challenge

If you are feeling adventurous the you could consider this Papier Mache helper.  When I saw this stop motion video of

The video is called Santa’s little helper.  But it’s a dragon.

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Christmas stickers for a window

Christmas planning is in full flow in the ‘Simply’ Household.

• Cards – check
• Wrapping paper – check
• Christmas decorations – check

….you get the idea.

I don’t know if you have noticed, but over the past few years there has been a move towards ‘full-on’ decoration of the home. From Blackpool illumination styled outside lighting to very classy looking wreaths and garlands for staircases.

All can be bought and adorned in the home to help create a homely winter wonderland.

Christmas window stickers

One ‘canvas’ available to you is the window. Suitable for inward and outward viewing, this medium can help you add some finishing touches to your home decorations.

For your window

Snowflake window clings. I’ve spoken about these before and they are super at creating a wintery feeling viewable inside and out.

We also have a range of Christmas sticker banners for the kids. There are numerous messages available. These include;

Santa Stop here stickers – [name] belives. Or

Please leave present for [name] here.

We also have arrange of Large Christmas Greetings Stickers with a tree motif.  They are available in A4 or A3 sizes so you can make an impact.

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