While we know Christmas is all about children, it can be easy to put festive-bonding on the long finger as you desperately make lists, frantically organise presents and madly tie up loose ends before the big day.
If you're keen to revert to a time when Christmas was less chaotic and a whole lot simpler, then why not consider our top 10 ways to have fun with the kids in the lead-up to December 25th?
From cooking and crafts to collages and calendars, there are endless ways to bond with your gang, have fun as a family and remind yourself what the Yuletide season is all about!
Why not check these out and get started?
1. Christmas grotto
While supermarkets and shopping malls are awash with Santa's grottos at this time of the year, that doesn't mean you can't create one of your own at home.
Choose a small area of your home, such as the front porch or the alcove under the stairs, and allow your kids to get creative and decorate their own very special Christmas area.
And remember; they can decorate as they wish, no matter how it may look to you!
2. Make Christmas tree decorations
As any mum knows, a Christmas tree decoration which was handmade by their little one will be cherished for a very long time, so why not let the kids get busy in this department?
Take inspiration from Nick Jr, cover the kitchen table with craft supplies and settle down for an afternoon of creative fun with your little ones!
3. Photo collage
For most children, the time period from one Christmas to the next can seem endless, so why not remind them of past Christmases with the help of some photos?
Encourage your child to create a photo collage of the family's festive activities, suggest they leave a little room and decide to add to it every year?
4. Christmas movie night
While most kids need very little help getting into the spirit at this time of the year, adults can sometimes have a more difficult time.
Remedy this by snuggling under blankets with your brood. lighting a fire and let classic Christmas films fill your heart and living room with delight.
It's a winner every time!
Remedy this by snuggling under blankets with your brood. lighting a fire and let classic Christmas films fill your heart and living room with delight.
It's a winner every time!
5. Make a non-materialistic Christmas list
While Christmas wish lists invariably focus on toys and material objects, that shouldn't always be the case, so why not suggest gathering together as a family and compiling a list of hopes and desires for 2016?
Sip on hot chocolate, tuck into Christmas biscuits and chat about your wishes for the year ahead.
It's one of the easiest ways to bond as a family and allows you to take stock of all that's important to each and every member of your clan.
6. Pin the beard on Santa
Putting a festive spin on traditional party games is a simple but effective way to have fun with the kids in the lead-up to the big day.
Pin the Beard on Santa will have the whole gang in high spirits as you celebrate the festive season together.
7. Get baking
Christmas is a time for over-indulgence after all, so why not gather the gang together and create your own little bakery?
From mince pies to plum puddings, nothing says Christmas like the smell of freshly baked goods and flour-covered cheeks.
8. Ice skating
Make sure you include ice skating in your list of Christmas events this year if you want to make this festive season one to remember!
There's something about taking your child's hand as you whizz around a rink to make you (and them!) feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
9. Advent calendar
Why not put your own spin on this year's Advent Calendar?
Encourage your child to create their own one, but in addition to getting a chocolate each day they are also required to perform a Random Act of Kindness thereby keeping the true meaning of Christmas in mind.
10. Gingerbread house
Sitting down as a family and building your very own Gingerbread House is the stuff of longlasting memories, so be sure to take part this year.
If you really want to up the ante, then why not supply each family member with their own kit and compete with each other for the title of Best Gingerbread House Maker!
