Prepare for Christmas (for Parents)

Christmas can be a stressful time of year for parents with the pressure of juggling kids, cooking, and dealing with the crowds at your local store. However with this how-to guide your Christmas will be an enjoyable breeze!

Steps

 * 1)  If you plan to make a traditional Christmas cake from scratch then this needs to be started at least a month before Christmas. If you have forgotten never fear; you can buy ready-made cakes in a store.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2)  Christmas shopping can be very stressful with all the crowds and you can't take the children with you because they will see their presents. If you have kids get them to write out a list for you. That way you know what they most desire. You do not have to buy everything on their list; just get a few of the items and the rest is up to you. Also a good tip for Christmas shopping if you have children is to leave them with a trusted adult. If you do this make sure you tell the adult what they are to eat in case of any allergies.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3)  Christmas for kids is all about the presents but make sure that you don't just buy them toys, buy the things they actually need as well. Most parents buy nothing but toys for their children, and by Boxing Day the kids want something else, so make sure you buy them things such as clothes, vests, socks, handkerchiefs, pajamas, combs etc.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4)  Many children creep around the house while their parents are in another room on the hunt for their presents. To prevent this, wrap their gifts, lock them in a secure cupboard and make sure the key(s) are always with you.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 5)  Before you wrap the presents carefully remove them from the box and check that they are not broken or damaged. Also keep your receipts so in such a case you can replace the damaged item. If the toy needs to be assembled then as to avoid the hassle on Christmas day and the possible injury of your children due to them fiddling with dangerous tools, assemble them before they get wrapped.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 6)  Buy enough batteries and one extra pack of each just in case. There is nothing worse than receiving a present that you badly wanted and then discovering that you can't use it because you have run out of batteries.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 7)  When you put up the decorations let the kids help. Also buy each of your kids a set of decorations and tell them that they are theirs to put on the tree wherever they want. This will make them feel special and included.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 8)  On Christmas Eve many children have a sugar rush, get over excited and don't sleep at all. So on Christmas Eve arrange some relaxing activities for the kids to do all day while you prepare for the busy day ahead.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 9)  On Christmas Eve do not give the kids anything sugary such as sweets, chocolate or fizzy pop. Instead have some healthy water, juice and fruit snacks laid out on a table for them so that you won't have to get any snacks for them which means interruption.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 10)  Put your children to bed extra early on Christmas eve so that they won't be too tired the next day.[[Image:Prepare for Christmas (for Parents) Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 11)  Have fun! Christmas is after all the most wonderful time of the year!

Tips

 * Section off a room for the children with a table full of activities and snacks so they are occupied.
 * Wake the children early on Christmas Eve so that they will get more sleep.
 * Try to get Christmas shopping done extra early as to avoid the crowds.

Warnings

 * Let your kids know that although presents are indeed an enjoyable part of Christmas, tell them it isn't all about the presents, and that spending time with family and the birth of Jesus are the most important reasons of Christmas.
 * If there is a fight on Christmas Day, just break it up, sort out the problem and carry on.

Related wikiHows

 * Prepare for a Stress Free Christmas Day (for Parents)
 * Christmas Shop for Kids
 * Keep Your Child Believing in Santa Claus
 * Receive Help for Your Family on Christmas