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| My Toddler
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Christmas Tradition
Rekindle your favourite family traditions with your tots
By Christina Ching and Louise Evans
It’s that time of year again - you hear Jingle Bells everywhere you go, there’s mayhem in the shops. Yep, Santa Claus is coming to town! Christmas is the most exciting holiday for your toddler, and now’s the best time to start a Christmas tradition with your little one. It’s great to include her in as many ways as you can, since getting her involved in all the preparations now will set traditions she’ll still be carrying out when she’s a mummy herself! Don’t worry, you don’t have to break the bank - there are loads of budget–friendly festive traditions you can pass on to the next generation that will help make Christmas extra-special.
COUNT DOWN THE DAYS
Although Orchard Road has been gearing up for Christmas since November, the real countdown starts on 1 December, so mark the occasion by getting your toddler to countdown to the big day on the calendar. Open windows together every day, and your tot will gain an understanding of the passing of time, the days of the week, as well as have a handy lesson in maths!
GET CREATIVE
Slot in a Christmas CD to get you in a festive mood and encourage your creative tot to make some decorations ? it’s amazing how a toilet-roll tube and some cardboard, glitter and paint can transform into an angel, while cotton wool, glue, cardboard and felt pens can make a jolly Santa, beard included. Fun (and mess) guaranteed!
MUMMY'S LITTLE HELPER
Toddlers love to help you, so harness her enthusiasm and attack the Christmas chores together. When it comes to getting the decorations out, get your tot to help you sort through the different baubles, tinsel and lights. Chat about the different colours and let her help you decorate the tree.
SING-ALONG SESSIONS
Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas carol. Buy a Christmas songbook or CD and teach her the words to some Yuletide classics, then host a carol service in your living room, with family members as guests. Why not record her performance, so you can play it back for many Christmases to come?
HO,HO,HO!
For toddlers, Christmas is all about Santa, so take her to meet the man himself at a bustling mall or swanky hotel. She can prepare a wishlist of what gifts she’d like and tell Santa how good (or naughty!) she’s been this year. Or get Daddy to don a beard and red suit on Christmas Eve, and she’ll think Father Christmas is here!
DRESS UP
Little ones love to dress up and at this time of year, there are dozens of fabulous outfits that will send her imagination into overdrive.
BAKE GOODIES
What’s Christmas without all that glorious food? Get your tot to help you stir the Christmas cake mix or cut biscuit dough into funky Christmas shapes, then decorate with icing. Yum!
MAKE CARDS
To add a personal touch to your Christmas cards, buy coloured cardstock paper, stickers, glitter and sparkles, and let your little one create her own masterpiece. It’ll be the perfect card for Por Por and Ah Gong to treasure. Or why not take pictures of your tot all dressed up and make a card with the images?
FEEL THE SPIRIT
Your toddler may learn a bit about Christmas at nursery, but you can help her gain an understanding of the big day too. Buy a book on Christmas - about Jesus, Santa, snowman, or even reindeer and elves.
CHRISTMAS EVE
It’s the best night of the year and your tot will be bursting with excitement. When she’s tucked up, read her a special Christmas story to get her in the mood. Once she’s tucked up and asleep, you can finish wrapping the pressies and enjoy a glass of red wine - you deserve it!
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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