What age do they stop believing in Father Christmas?

In honesty, I’m sure my youngest two at 11 didn’t believe last year, and questions were raised way before that. I think they were hedging their bets. It’s also years since we visited Father Christmas at a grotto. However, last Christmas I kept up the pretence (my eldest had long known the truth and was a helpful accomplice). There were lists for Santa and a tray of goodies were left out on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas Day most of the presents were from Father Christmas! This year, it’s the official goodbye even though we haven’t specifically discussed it.

I’m glad they’ve come to their own conclusions. It would have been awkward if they still believed in Father Christmas now that they’re at secondary school. However, it is yet another reminder that they’re growing up fast .

Does it ruin the magic?

It’s sad that we’ll no longer be watching Father Christmas’ progress on Santa Tracker. We won’t be leaving out carrots for Rudolph and I’ll never again utter the immortal words: “has he been?”. However, there’s still plenty to be excited about. I can see that the kids love and appreciate what the festive season means and offers. They’ve even said that presents are only part of it. They enjoy being with family and extended family, having time together, playing games and sharing special food.

The run up to Christmas minus Father Christmas

The start of advent is a very exciting time for all of us. I don’t let anyone play Christmas music in the house before December 1st. That means everyone’s ecstatic when they can finally unleash the festive tunes. Then of course there’s the advent calendars (old favourites and new)! Starting every day with chocolate; what’s not to enjoy about that!? We also love our annual advent candle.

Whilst we do have an Elf on the Shelf, I’ve never subscribed to the whole narrative. Neither have I spent hours I don’t have agonising over 24 creative ideas for him. Cheerfully, my twins enjoy setting up elf for the rest of us to enjoy. We’ve never done the whole North Pole breakfast thing on the first of December. However, I do dress the table festively and make special hot chocolates. This year I’ve even bought them personalised mugs.

The Christmas books come out with the advent calendars. We’ll still be reading Santa is coming to Surrey and Santa is coming to London alongside other favourites including Mog’s Christmas, which is one of my eldest’s favourites despite being a mature 14!

We might not be visiting Santa in his grotto. However, we always do something special. We’ve been to National Trust Christmas events, seen a production of The Nutcracker and done tours of the London lights. This year, we’re going to Christmas at Kew, which will be wonderful.

The kids want to make a gingerbread house, and we generally do a lot more baking in December. I’m going to attempt ricciarelli for the first time.

I no longer have to provide explanations/answer awkward questions. For the first time, I won’t have to do different wrapping and labelling for Santa presents and our presents. What a relief! My husband won’t have to avoid Santa traps at 2am, and can now have his whisky earlier! I’m happy that us hardworking parents now get all the credit! On that note, I’ve noticed that the girls are being more conservative with their lists. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still plenty on there but there isn’t quite the wild abandon of previous years. Plus they all now get a lot of joy from giving presents too!

Embracing the Christmas spirit

The children are looking forward to plenty of family time, and passing on the magic of Father Christmas to their young cousin; and that’s what it’s all about.

It’s a wonderful time even without the big man in red.

PS love some of the ideas here: How to tell your children Santa isn’t real

The post When Children Stop Believing in Father Christmas appeared first on The Parent Social.

I knew this already, but last night I saw a report on the BBC, which was truly shocking. It brought home just how bad it really is for a lot of people.

Burnley: ‘Children ripping bags open for food’ during pandemic

I’d just put up our family advent calendars. Alongside our old favourites and traditional ones the church had given us, I’d bought my children new, totally frivolous (and quite expensive) ones. I was so excited about seeing their faces the next morning as I knew they’d love them. I suddenly felt a pang of guilt though.

The concept of the reverse advent calendar

I remembered reading somewhere a while ago about the reverse advent calendar. I decided we’d do it this year.

With the reverse advent calendar, instead of taking something out every day – as you do with a normal advent calendar – you actually add something. You collect one item daily during advent either from your cupboards or bought especially and put it into a box. By December 24th you will have collected together 24 essential items, which you can donate to a food bank or other charity project.

What should go into a reverse advent calendar?

Do check with your local food bank to see what specific items they are most in need of. However, in general these are the sorts of things that are very gratefully received. Don’t forget that food banks also accept other essentials such as toiletries and hygiene items.

Food items for the reverse advent calendar

* Make sure items are well within their use by date

• Porridge
• Cereal
• Soup (tinned or packet not fresh)
• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Rice
• Tinned tomatoes
• Tinned fish (tuna, sardines etc)
• Lentils, beans and pulses
• Tinned vegetables
• Tinned meat
• Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
• Tinned fruit
• Biscuits
• Long life milk
• Fruit juice
• Tinned dessert such as rice pudding
• Something festive

Non-food items

• Toiletries – things such as deodorant, soap, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving foam, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste and hand sanitiser
• Laundry/household items – liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid
• Sanitary towels and tampons
• Baby supplies such as nappies, baby wipes and baby food

Whilst a nicely, festively decorated box is a bonus, the main thing is the contents.

Finding your local food bank

Use this link from The Trussell Trust (the UK’s biggest network of food banks) to find your nearest food bank: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

The below resource details 85-plus food banks to support or use in the UK, Canada and Australia

https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/food-banks-uk-canada-australia/

The post Reverse Advent Calendar appeared first on The Parent Social.