I can still remember our family Christmas in 2003. Our family’s tradition was to put the presents out on Christmas Eve after all of us kids were in bed. We didn’t believe in Santa, but this was a way to prevent five young children from poking, prying, and shaking the gifts. It also made for a magical morning. This particular Christmas was special; that’s how my family works; some Christmases are quieter, like the year we did only thrift and homemade gifts, and others are extravagant. As a young child, I was completely tuned out to the effort that went into making Christmas special, the freshly baked cinnamon rolls Christmas morning that required Christmas Eve prep, the many wrapped presents, not to mention the time to buy them and think about it, especially pre-online shopping, and the family gatherings, cookie exchanges, and holiday parties. Plus, over the years, we had 3 births in December, a family member passed, and we did an overseas move. However, in all of this, we set rhythms; the Christmas Carols came out and we sang together. We baked peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies and sugar cookies. We went for cold nature walks, drank hot chocolate, and listened to Dad read A Christmas Carol.

A quiet family-oriented Christmas was something we chose, and that gave space for all of us to feel seen and loved and to make memories. It was from my mom’s priorities of connection and ensuring that every one of her children was enveloped in the Christmas season that the Christmas Guides Volume 1 and Volume 2 were born. The holiday season is a time of wonder and excitement, especially for our little ones. But amidst the hustle and bustle, it's easy for preschoolers to feel overwhelmed or lost in the shuffle. The Christmas Guide Volume 1 is designed specifically for young learners. It offers a gentle and playful introduction to the season, filled with hands-on crafts, early learning concepts, and heartwarming holiday traditions.

Let's take a peek at Week One:

Monday: Candy Canes and Countdown Chains

Start the week with a cosy reading of Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck and a fun "Candy Cane J" craft.
Create a colourful countdown chain to build anticipation for Christmas.
Head outdoors for a nature walk and gather pinecones and twigs for future projects.

Tuesday: Jingle Bells, Pinecones, and Little Stitchers

Enjoy the story The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston.
Sing and dance to festive Christmas songs, encouraging your little ones to create their own hand motions.
Practice counting and sorting with the pinecones collected on Monday.
Introduce basic sewing skills by making mini Christmas stockings or pillows from felt.
End the day with a fun-filled indoor snowball fight using balled-up socks.

Wednesday: Jingle Bell Bracelets and Nativity Play

Read the heartwarming story Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell.
Engage in a phonics activity by shaping bells into the letter J and brainstorming words that start with J.
Count the bells used and string them onto elastic to create jingle bell bracelets.
Bring the Nativity story to life with an imaginative play session using simple props like laundry baskets and towels.

Thursday: Rhyming Games and Homemade Gifts

Read the classic poem The Night Before Christmas and play rhyming word games.
Reinforce counting skills with a fun pinecone memory game.
Gather the family to make homemade bath salt jars as Christmas gifts, adding a personal touch with ribbons and labels.

A Magical Start to the Season

The Peaceful Press Christmas Guide will ignite your preschooler's imagination and create lasting memories in just four days. Each activity is designed to be simple, engaging, and full of holiday cheer. By embarking on this journey together, you'll not only be cultivating essential skills but also fostering a sense of connection and joy.

Let's make this Christmas season truly unforgettable for your little ones!

Ignite the Magic: A Preschooler's Guide to a Joyful Christmas Season