| Kids are notoriously hard to please at | | | | for a particular child. |
| Christmas. They spend days beforehand | | | | |
| desperate to open their presents, and when | | | | Another great idea is to make your own |
| finally the hour arrives, they unwrap them | | | | Christmas crackers, and insert a small gift |
| all in record time, and five minutes later | | | | of your own into each one. Making three |
| they're bored again. | | | | crackers for each child works extremely well, |
| | | | as they can have one on Christmas Eve, one on |
| Sounds familiar? If it does, you'll be | | | | Christmas Day and one on Boxing Day. Small |
| pleased to know there are some great ways to | | | | pocket money children's toys are ideal for |
| make the magic last a little longer this | | | | this purpose, and they can often be picked up |
| year. The key to making those gifts last is | | | | for less than a pound each. It's worth |
| by dividing them up into groups without the | | | | making up a cracker before you buy anything, |
| kids knowing. Gifts for the family can also | | | | so you can see how big the main cavity is for |
| be done this way. | | | | holding a present. |
| | | | |
| When you go shopping for your Christmas | | | | If you really want to spread out the magic, |
| presents, think about size and weight as well | | | | why not create a Boxing Day present box as |
| as value. We all know kids like to get big | | | | well? Keep back some gifts so the kids don't |
| expensive presents, but you should set an | | | | get swamped on the big day itself, and hide a |
| overall budget to stick to, and factor in | | | | box for each one which contains half a dozen |
| some small gifts as well to balance things | | | | smaller presents. Small children's games are |
| out. This will enable you to create a | | | | a good idea for these boxes, as they will |
| stocking for each child with at least half a | | | | help prevent the kids from getting bored on |
| dozen presents in it, as well as picking a | | | | Boxing Day afternoon. |
| couple of lighter items which can be wrapped | | | | |
| separately and hidden in the Christmas tree, | | | | By spreading out the gifts in this way rather |
| perhaps to be opened on Christmas night. | | | | than giving them all out in one go, not only |
| | | | will Christmas seem to last longer, but the |
| When you start looking for Christmas gifts | | | | gifts themselves are likely to be appreciated |
| for kids, think about what interests each | | | | more. It helps to prevent the kids from |
| child has and try and find small items which | | | | becoming overwhelmed and makes Boxing Day a |
| appeal to those interests. Jot down a list | | | | day to look forward to as well. |
| of ideas before you go shopping, and make a | | | | |
| note of anything you see which would be ideal | | | | Just remember to keep it all a secret. |