I don’t know about you, but since having children I do think Christmas is better with kids around. Admittedly there are drawbacks: being woken at dawn isn’t so good, day drinking can’t quite be the same as it used to be and you can’t just pass out on the sofa at 5pm having scoffed too much chocolate. But just like being a stay and work at home mum I’d say the pros outweigh the cons.
For me the last few Christmases have been a bit like being a child again, and BB’s excitement is getting increasingly infectious. So here are my 5 reasons why Christmas is better with kids:
1. Advent calendars. It’s only fair that there’s an advent calendar for each member of the family. Including the baby who’s too small to eat the chocolate in his. And the cats (= more for mummy).
2. Mince pie making. Ok, you might not want to actually eat the things after they’ve itched their bottom, coughed and spluttered and wiped the back of their hand across their nose while rolling the pastry and filling the pies, but mince pie making is definitely more fun with the ‘help’ of a small child.
3. Toys. Lego has come a long way since I was little, and the Frozen castle is no exception. It’s got transparent snowflakes, tiny ice creams and Arna even has ice skates. Need I say more? Just like when my mum and dad gave BB my old dolls house last Christmas, I’ve been like a child in sweet shop playing with it putting it away after she’s gone to bed.
4. Films. This year we’ve watched the original Snowman, the newer Snowman and the Snowdog, Happy Feet and Mary Poppins, all of which I’m sure we wouldn’t have watched if BB and Little B weren’t around.
5. Kids chocolate. The gold coins Father Christmas left in the tree, the tube of Smarties he left in each of their stockings and the Cadbury selection pack from school. The children can’t possibly eat that much chocolate, so it’s only right I ‘help’ them out when they’re alsleep without them actually knowing it. I’d forgotten how moreish Smarties are.
Of course there are downsides too but on the whole I’d say Christmas is better with kids. Am I right or am I right?!
Linking up with…
Such a lovely post and so true – I can’t wait for Josh to be older and understand it all a bit more. Happy Christmas xxx #TheBabyFormula
It’s so exciting but at the same time I don’t want to wish their childhoods away by wanting the next year to come quickly!
Oh Absolutely! Christmas is more fun and exciting with kids… I’m more looking forward to Christmas not for myself but more for my kids. Lovely post! #TheBabyFormula
It’s so lovely seeing the looks of delight on their faces!x
Totally right! This was our first Christmas with a little one and the whole family felt a new kind of Christmas magic after many years of child-free Christmases. I was thinking I’d love it when my boy is old enough to spend time in the kitchen with me, but I hadn’t thought about the hygiene issue – I am a little put off now, haha!
Don’t worry – if everything is baked in the oven I’m sure it kills the germs!
It was only our first Christmas with a baby this year and it was still great. I had a brilliant time playing with all her toys, even if she wasn’t at all fussed! 😉 #TheBabyFormula
And it will only get better!x
Hahaha I was reading this thinking “yes” with each point as Baby H is only just one, so most of this will start next Christmas. In saying that we were really excited this year and H was excited too (which we were surprised at) a she did love her new toys and having her grandparents around.
Hope you had a lovely Christmas, thanks for linking up #TheBabyFormula x
And now you have next year to look forward to!x
Completely agree! Love the excitement they have for it all. Christmas crafts, nativity, Father Christmas… Love it! #justanotherlinky
I find it so infectious!
Totally agree, Christmas this year has been the best yet #justanotherlinky
So pleased to hear it!x
I totally agree. Christmas with kids is the best! Really shows what Christmas is all about
Thank you for linking up with #justanotherlinky
I’m looking forward to next year already!x
Christmas is not Christmas without kids love your reasons #justanotherlinky
Thank you – glad you agree!
Totally agree, Christmas with children is amazing! Thank you for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Hope you had a great Christmas too x
While it is a little on the stressful side, shopping for all of their gifts, wrapping them when they are in school and then having to hide the gifts, plus, I plan a Christmas Eve family gathering every year because it’s a tradition I started with my kids and hope to pass that down, but yes, Christmas is better with children! They just make it better through their excitement, which is infectious indeed! #happydiaries
I could do without the wrapping – especially when they tear through it in seconds flat!!
You can’t beat a good Christmas movie with a stash of kids chocolates. And I had an advent calendar too this year. Christmas is so much better with kids you’re so right!
Strangely enough I put on more weight than pre-kids though!!
Yup, too right! And it gets better with time too (you’re in for a treat. I feared that the Christmas spirit would be left wanting once the children were older and didn’t believe in Santa anymore but we still have awesome Christmases (I think I believe in Santa enough for all of us). The children know how much I LOVE the Christmas season and make such an effort with everything: the traditional ‘putting the star on top of the tree’, baking all the Christmas goodies, they are even still happy to sit through another viewing of “Miracle on 34th street” and “It’s a wonderful life” even though they seen both movies about 10 times.
P.S The mince pies sound…uh…scrumptious, lol. x #happydiaries
That’s so good to hear – I really don’t want the time to come when they don’t believe anymore!
I’ve got to say you’re definetly right there. I could not imagine how rubbish my Christmas would be if I didn’t have any. Although there are downsides you can always make up for that at new year, as long as the kids have a good day #happydiaries
Pauline x
Christmas would definitely be boring without them I think!
Ohh, Im thinking I still have an advent calender, still get up at the crack of dawn, eat chocolate pennies and I bought Mr AD lego as part of his present this year….. we are officially still kids!! Thanks for linking up, Tracey xx
You can’t beat a bit of Lego – we had a Frozen castle this year with transparent flames and everything!