Christmas is nearly upon us once more and with it comes one of the most exciting days of the year – Christmas Eve! However old you are, the exciting feeling of anticipation on Christmas Eve is one of the most magical parts of the festive season. Many people have various traditions that add to the magic of the day, here are a few popular traditions that make Christmas eve even more enchanting!
Christmas Movie – Many families have a Christmas movie that they watch every Christmas Eve to get them in the Christmas Spirit! The Snowman and Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs are perfect classic animated films for the whole family. Miracle on 34th Street is also a perfect Christmas Eve movie, capturing the real spirit of Christmas, and if you want a comedy, Elf or Nativity are two funny and heart-warming films.
Festive Baking – Making a gingerbread house is a fun family activity for Christmas Eve, and you can let your imagination run wild! If you have young children, they will love decorating it and give them something to do amidst all the excitement. Use royal icing as icicles and decorate with favourite sweets and chocolates, ready to eat on Christmas day! Alternatively, you could bake some festive gingerbread shapes to hang on the tree, or some cookies to have with milk before settling into bed.
Leaving a treat for Father Christmas – Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, one of the most exciting things to do for children all over Great Britain, is to leave a treat out for Father Christmas and his reindeer, ready for their visit later that night. Companies such as Gloucester roofers Hempsted Roofing can be busy at this time of year, repairing roofs ready for the sleigh and reindeer to land there! This is usually a mince pie, a carrot for the reindeer, and either a glass of sherry, whisky or brandy, or a non-alcoholic drink, like milk. Stockings can then be hung ready for Father Christmas to fill either by the fireplace or left outside the children’s bedroom door.
Christmas Eve Box – More recently, the Christmas Eve box has become popular, which is a great idea to present to a child on the morning of Christmas Eve. Their contents vary and of course you can amend the contents for adults as well as children! A Christmas film, chocolates, a pair of snug Christmas themed pyjamas are all popular things to include, if making an adult one you could also include a bottle of tipple!