As Ricky gets older and really understands what “Christmas” means, I’ve found myself getting really into the Christmas spirit. Decorating, gift planning and most of all: SANTA PLANNING.
This is really the first year that Ricky gets who Santa is. Although he did yell at me when I told him we were decorating for Jesus’s birthday to tell me that all the decorations were his.
It’s the whole “mine” syndrome. He’s definitely my kid.
Anyway – planning how to make Santa real and magical has been a super awesome time. I mean, the time that kids believe in Santa is so short – I want to make sure I’m totally taking advantage of these few short years of magic! In fact, let me just share with you all the things I’m planning to do this year!
Elf on the Shelf
We’ll be trying the Elf on the Shelf this year. Starting the day after Thanksgiving – well, let’s be honest, probably December 1st since I’m not super organized right now – Ricky’s going to hunt down the Elf. I think it will be fun for him to do every morning – and it will also help him really understand how this whole ‘Santa’ thing works.
Letters to Santa
We’re definitely going to ‘write’ a letter to Santa (my child is 2, so he can dictate!). Then I’m using this site to send a letter back to him. How awesome is that when you’re two? Amazing, right?
Santa’s Key
Our house doesn’t have a traditional fireplace – we actually hang our stockings across garland on our stairs. And I know that as soon as Ricky hears ‘Up on the Rooftop’ a few times, he’s going to wonder where the heck our fireplace is. I know – he’s a very inquisitive two year old. Enter: the Santa Key. All you need is the poem and tag – and then go out an buy a key. VIOLA! You have a key for Santa that can be used year after year.
The Reindeer Cam
Ricky is SUPER into watching videos right now – it makes things more real. He even watches the Baby Center videos of ‘what’s going on in your belly’ and thinks it’s really the baby in mommy’s tummy. So I know he’ll LOVE watching Santa’s reindeer on this live feed!
Homemade Decor
We’ve started putting together all of our favorite projects for the year – and Ricky is loving that he can create his own ornaments and paintings for the house. Bonus: they make great gifts from your kids! I’ll be posting more detailed explanations of what we’re doing later this week!
Gingerbread House Party
We’re hosting a Gingerbread House decorating party for a few of Ricky’s friends in December. I.can’t.wait. It’s going to be so much fun!!
Magic Reindeer Food
We’re definitely doing reindeer food this year to show Santa whose house he needs to come to. I love how this recipe uses decorating sugars instead of glitter – it’s better for the wildlife in your area.
Matching Presents
Ok, this one is more for me. I love the idea of wrapping up presents in plain brown paper with pretty bows and caligraphy. Also, we used to do this when we were kids and decorate the paper with stamps – Ricky will have a BLAST doing that this year. Plus it’s a great way to distinguish between Mommy and Daddy gifts and Santa gifts.
Although I do need to get my stuff together if we’re going to be prepared on this one…
Christmas Breakfast
Actually, I think we’re just going to do a giant brunch for Christmas Day this year – I need to perfect a cinnamon bread recipe before then. Eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon…All my little guy’s favorites. And chocolate covered donuts on Christmas Eve. Because, you know, chocolate.
Christmas Eve Box
I did this last year and it was a total hit. It came with new jammies for everyone in the family, a new movie (Despicable Me 2) and a new book for Ricky. This year we’ll be doing new jammies (well, lounge pants for mama and daddy), our Santa Key, a new movie and some reindeer food to sprinkle in the yard. We open it up Christmas Eve morning, then Ricky can watch the movie before nap time!
Crepe Paper Doors
I’m not sure if this will actually work or not – because Ricky usually waits for me to get him out of bed before he comes out of his room. And mommy busting through crepe paper to get into his room might totally defeat the purpose. But what you do is tell your kids that Santa did this to make sure they stay in their room, then they have to smash through the paper to go get presents! I can’t find the original link on the Super Mommy site – but it’s such a cute idea!
Santa Footsteps
We will be leaving cookies and milk for Santa – and carrots for the reindeer. And Santa will be leaving some magical footsteps on our carpet, which I’ll actually use Rick’s work boots to make. I might also mix in some glitter to make it extra magical!
So tell me: what will YOU be doing to make Christmas extra magical this year??
The post 12 Ways I’m Making Christmas Totally Magical for My Two Year Old appeared first on The Mommyhood Project.