Benussi Blog

Countdown to Christmas…..33 days to go

By Helen Jane Arnold

It’s important not to be diverted by the materialistic approach to Christmas – feeling pressured to spend lots of money on presents just because other parents are splashing out (or so your children would have you believe!)

Not only does this send out the wrong message to children – it’s not what they want. They want time with their parents.

See it from a child’s point of view and focus on fun activities rather than the presents you can buy. A trip to the pantomime is a present in itself. Plan a schedule in advance so you feel organised and the children have activities to look forward to.

Here are a few ideas to ensure that, this year, Christmas will be about more than “must-have” toys:

Cooking – you and the children can make baked decorations together to hang on the tree or in other parts of the house. You can also get them to help you make Christmas staples such as mince pies, a chocolate log and the Christmas cake.

Decorating the house – there is a host of decorations and ornaments you can make for yourselves out of paper, glitter, foraged twigs, leaves and pine cones. Not only does is this something you can do with your children – even if they’re teenagers – it will also encourage their creativity.

Collecting the holly and the ivy – you can buy it in the shops, but how much more satisfying is it to take a trip out to the countryside for a walk and to cut your own. You can turn the outing into a day trip by visiting a nearby village and having lunch or tea at a favourite pub or coffee shop.

Offer the children a present of your time – a trip to the cinema or bowling alley.

Family games – instead of resigning yourself to just watching TV over the Festive Season, plan family games. Let the children choose which games to play.

Presents – yes, you can buy gifts, but making your own is extra-special. Relatives will appreciate children taking the time and trouble to create their own presents. Mince pies, cakes and fudge are inexpensive and will get everyone into the Christmas mood.

Exercise – a couch potato existence over Christmas is may seem appealing, but it can lead to bickering and boredom. Whatever the weather, don your outdoor gear and head off to the hills – or simply the urban canal towpaths if you prefer. The kids may moan, but they’ll return home with rosy cheeks and a hearty appetite for all the left-over food.

So, this Christmas, whether you have money to spare or are having to tighten your purse strings, plan a timetable of activities you can enjoy with your children, no matter what age they are – especially those that cost nothing more than time.

• Helen Jane Arnold is a partner with Benussi & Co