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