“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” – and here’s how you can find all the Christmas magic this season!
Show your kids how well Santa knows them…
with a personalised video message! At Portable North Pole you can get a FREE video message direct from Santa to your child, complete with the photographs you upload appearing in his special book! There are several different options to choose from where Santa will show your child something magical, maybe from his workshop, or maybe about his reindeer. Children love receiving their special video message direct from the North Pole. Find out more here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/video-message-from-santa
See the Christmas lights
We’ve done all the planning for you on this one. Download our map of your local area and take a tour of all the best light displays. Our maps are in convenient driving order, so pick a starting point close to you, pack the kids in the car with a few snacks and drinks, and off you go! Viewing the maps on your phone will also allow you to tap for directions, and the maps are regularly updated as we learn of more displays. Find the link to your local map here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/christmas-lights-brisbane
Christmas countdown
Kids love a countdown to Christmas, and it could mean something as simple as a $2 chocolate advent calendar, a daily colouring-in sheet, or a small toy or book to unwrap each day from December 1 – December 24. Find advent calendar ideas here:
https://christmasinaustralia.com.au/best-advent-calendars-kids-adults
Go carolling
A good old Christmas sing-along is sure to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. Local councils and shopping centres often host free family events, with stage shows, carolling, parades, Santa visits and lots of Christmas magic. It’s a chance for the whole family to sing along, dance, and get-together with friends and family for some light-hearted fun. Check out your local council’s and shopping centre’s websites to find out what’s happening in your area check our local carolling guide here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/christmas-carols-in-brisbane
Organise a street party
It’s time to revive an old Aussie tradition and get to know your neighbours again! A letterbox drop down your street can be the starting point for a great neighbourly get-together. You can arrange for everyone to bring a table and chairs and a plate to share at the local park, or apply to the council for special permission to close your street for a few hours. We have some great food and games ideas right here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/christmas-street-party-ideas
Buy a REAL Christmas tree
Real Christmas trees provide you with a wonderfully traditional Christmas experience unlike anything else. Nothing makes Christmas like putting presents underneath a real fir tree and decorating its branches with your favourite ornaments. The best part about buying an authentic Christmas pine tree is the wonderful fragrance it brings into your home. It’s a delightful Christmas aroma that will last for weeks! Find out where to get one here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/real-christmas-trees-brisbane
Browse the Christmas markets
Christmas markets are filled with festive atmosphere, tempting aromas, and a joyous goodwill. They’re the perfect place to find hand-crafted and individual gifts and baked goodies, and often have entertainment too. There are Christmas markets across Brisbane from mid-November. Check out www.familiesmagazine.com.au/christmas-markets-brisbane to find your nearest.
Get crafty
Baking and making are great ways to keep the kids busy in the lead up to Christmas, and perfect family activities to spend quality time with each other. We have lots of home made gift ideas suitable for classmates and teachers, and special friends and family, and ideas for making your own Christmas decorations. Find inspiration here: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/diy-christmas-gifts-ideas
Helping others, and receiving help
Making a difference to someone else’s Christmas is the best way to share the Christmas spirit and teach children the value of helping others. This can be as simple as explaining to your children why you are a putting food or gifts into the charity food containers or giving trees at the shopping centre, or volunteering your time at an established charity. This article lists all the ways you can help at charities in Australia at Christmas AND how you can receive help if you are in need: https://christmasinaustralia.com.au/christmas-charities-in-australia/
Sing “Let It Snow” and Let it Go!
There’s a lot of pressure to make Christmas perfect, and that can be a total joy-suck. We LOVE imperfect Christmas trees with a mismatch of decorations all at toddler height, and who says you can’t have beans on toast for Christmas dinner if that’s what suits your family. Kids will forget what was under the tree, but they will remember time spent as a family baking, playing games, walking the neighbourhood to look at lights, and singing and dancing to Christmas music. Finding joy in simple things is where you will find the magic this season.
You can find more magical Christmas ideas, including craft, recipes, where to buy real Christmas trees, sensory Santa visits, and gift ideas at www.familiesmagazine.com.au/brisbane/christmas or head to https://christmasinaustralia.com.au
This article was featured in Issue 49 of our printed magazine, published December 2021.
