Do you have a Christmas tradition? We have lots, some taken from when we (Tall Dad and I ) were children, and others that have become a tradition since we had children ourselves.
Why do we have the traditions? Well for the most part (and I think you will agree) its all about keeping the magic and Santa or Father Christmas alive. With traditions ranging from special paper we use for the gifts from Santa and the plate of food and drink we leave on Christmas Eve night. Part of the Christmas traditions is a letter to Santa with your childs Christmas wish list, but also more and more children receive a letter back from Santa.
The YouGov survey of 2,007 parents with children aged 18 and under*, conducted by the NSPCC for their Christmas ‘Letter from Santa’ fundraising campaign revealed the nation’s top 10 favourite festive family traditions to do with their children:
Just in case the image isn’t clear :
- Leaving something out on Christmas Eve for Santa and his reindeers. 70%
- Hand-writing a letter to Santa 51%
- Wrapping Christmas presents in different wrapping paper so that your children know which presents are from Santa. 39%
- Opening a letter ‘from Santa’ with your children. 36%
- Watching Elf. 35%
- Sprinkling reindeer food on the front garden. 31%
- Opening one present from under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. 30%
- Making homemade gifts with your children for family members. 27%
- Watching the Queen’s speech. 22%
- Watching It’s a Wonderful Life. 13%
There are lots there that we do, and I must say I feel warmed by the fact that lots of those traditions are things that are done together as a family. Just over a third of Children open a letter from Santa. I’d love it if that statistic was higher! How about supporting the NSPCC this Christmas and ordering a personalised letter from Santa from the NSPCC for a suggested donation of just £5 to help keep the magic of Christmas alive. You need to get in there quick though, as you only have until the 15th. Visit www.nspcc.org.uk/santa or by calling 0845 839 9304
NSPCC supporter and Psychologist, Dr. Linda Papadopoulos says :
“Family traditions are an important part of childhood, giving children a sense of their past as well as a sense of what they can look forward to in the future. At Christmas time, whether it’s hand-writing a letter to Santa at the kitchen table, making mince pies or opening a letter from Santa, personalised traditions can be a great way to bring the family together.”
Request your Letter from Santa for a suggested donation of £5 to the NSPCC at www.nspcc.org.uk/santa or by calling 0845 839 9304 until 15 December.
If you have concerns about a child or young person, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, text 88858 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk
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