How to keep your children entertained over the Christmas season

The holiday period can be very disruptive to you and your families normal routine, with schools and nurseries mainly closed, resulting in very excited children that can lead to upsets found particularly evident in younger children. If possible, keep to usual meal- and bed- times.

“There are things you can do to avoid the "What can I do?" and "I'm bored" refrains”

Plan a seasonal outing - see a pantomime, or visit Father Christmas in a local shop.

Christmas carols - ask friends to join your family for some 'carols by candlelight' or to attend your local Christmas service. See your local newspaper or check with your council for details of events in your area.

Christmas lights - take your kids to see the Christmas lights in your community. Go on an evening walk in your neighbourhood and point out all the homes and shops with different decorations.

Decorate your tree together - put on some festive music and decorate the Christmas tree with your kids.

Christmas party - if your calendar isn't already full, why not hold your own Christmas party and invite friends and their children? To avoid the hefty workload, ask each guest to bring something different.

Christmas games - get your kids in the Christmas mood with games such as 'pin-the-beard on Father Christmas' or 'pin-the-red-nose on the reindeer'.

E-mail Santa –through Santa@infomat.net

Letters and cards - help your children write letters and cards to family and friends who live far away. Let them post the envelopes into the letterbox.

Nativity Play/ Puppet show –Why not get your children to put on a nativity play or a Christmas puppet show for the family

Invite your children's friends over and arrange for your kids to visit them - the children will amuse each other and you will gain a free day!

Have books and videos ready to entertain - visit your local library for Christmas books and videos to loan.

Let children help with housework and present wrapping - they will feel involved and useful and take some of the load off you.


How to say Merry Christmas in different countries:

Belgium- Zalig Kerstfeest
Brazil- Boas Festes
Chinese- Sing Daan Faai Lok
Czechloslavakia- Prejame Vam Vessele Vanoce
Denmark- Glaedelig Jul
Estonia- Roomusaid Joulu Puhi
Finland- Hyvaa Joulua
France- Joyeux Noel
Germany- Froehliche Weihnachten
Greece- Kala Christouyenna
Hungary- Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Iceland- Gledileg Jol
Indonesia- Selamat Hari Natal
Iraq- Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Ireland- Nodlaig Shona Dhuit
Italy- Buon Natale
Japan- Shinnen Omedeto
Korea- Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latvia- Prieci'gus Ziemsv'tkus
Lithuania- Linksmu Kaledu
Malaysia- Selamat Hari Natal
Mexico- Feliz Navidad
Netherlands- Vrolijk Kerstfeest
Norway- God Jul
Philippines- Maligayang Pasko
Poland- Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portugal- Boas Festas
Rumania- Craciun fericit
Russia- Pozdravlyau s prazdnikom Rozhdestva
Slovakia- Vesele vianoce
Spain- Feliz Navidad
Sweden- God Jul
Thailand- Suksan Wan Christmas
Vietnam- Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Wales- Nadolig Llawen


Discover the meaning of Christmas:

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Although no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, most Christians acknowledge Christmas as being on December 25. On this day, many go to church, where they take part in religious services. During the Christmas season, the exchange of gifts take place in a decorated home with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas trees. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ.


Discover the meaning of Hanukkah:

In the year 167 BCE, the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes ruled over Israel. Antiochus decreed that all his subjects must adopt the customs of Greece. Outlawing the practice of Jewish rituals, even the observance of Sabbath and worshiping in the temple. An old priest named Mattathias and his five sons retreated to the hills and battled against the Syrians and their Greek allies. Judah, the son of Mattathias, and his forces finally defeated the Syrian overlords and their Greek allies in 165 BCE. The goal of Judah and his followers, called the Maccabees, was to reclaim the temple. After cleaning the temple, they looked for oil to light the eternal flame that is always present in a Jewish house of worship. Regrettably, they could only find enough oil to light the flame for one day. But when they lit the flame, a miracle happened! The oil lasted for eight days. Since that time Jews around the world have celebrated Hanukkah to commemorate the reclaiming of the temple and the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.


Discover the meaning of Kwanzaa:

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday, which was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. It is celebrated every year commencement on December 26 lasting until New Year's Day. Kwanzaa is based on seven principles

Umojo (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)

Each day of the holiday is devoted to the celebration of one of these principles. In the evening a table is prepared with Kwanzaa symbols. Family members gather together around the celebration table to read the Seven Principles and meditate on the principle of the day while the youngest child lights one of the seven candles.