How To Make Christmas Morning Magical For Your Kids

Elf on the Shelf is fun and all but we want to share some other ideas to make Christmas morning magical for your kids.

We all know Christmas and the magic of Santa is what you make of it. Just look back on your own childhood memories of this special time of year. Think of all the little things your parents did from little signs of Santa and his elves, to creating your own family traditions.

In this post we’ve rounded up our favorite ways to make this the most exciting time for your kiddos.

How To Make Christmas Morning Magical For Your Kids

Build anticipation all month long. 

The foundation of an AMAZING Christmas morning starts December 1st. It’s all about the build-up.

Find the perfect Charlie Brown tree as a family, decorate together, bake these easy Christmas cookies, watch holiday movies, get an advent calendar, track Santa on Christmas Eve, participate in holiday season events, and do your own special Christmas traditions. Neighborhood decoration walks and your town’s tree lightings are fun and free ways to get in the Christmas mood.

Make an enchanting path from their bedrooms to the Christmas tree. 

When Christmas morning actually does come, make it special right out the gate. And by gate, we mean the bedroom door. 

Make Christmas morning extra special by transforming your home into a winter wonderland. Softly glowing lights, a cozy fireplace, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked treats create an enchanting atmosphere. As the first rays of dawn peek through the curtains, let the excitement build with a festive breakfast spread and a playful scavenger hunt leading to the grand prize: a mountain of gifts beneath the twinkling Christmas tree.

Create an enchanting path all the way to the Christmas tree from the hallway. You could use wrapping paper to make a path, hang homemade snowflakes from the ceiling, put up extra Christmas lights, and whatever else you can think of to make that strut to the Christmas tree SUPER exciting. 

Kids will LOVE this; they’ll feel like they’re being transported to the North Pole.

Leave signs of Santa everywhere. 

On top of making your house feel like a winter wonderland—try to also make it evident that St. Nicholas was on the premises. 

Of course, if Santa has eaten cookies and drank the milk, that’ll be enough for younger kids. However, if you want to create some real magic, leave half eaten “reindeer food” and sleigh tracks on the lawn and Santa footprints in the house. 

To be really convincing, you can also catch Santa on your home security system with apps like Catch Santa AR. SO MAGICAL!

Listen to a personalized voicemail from Santa. 

There are companies that will send you a personalized voicemail from Santa. This is such a fun way to heighten the magic and make your child feel special. 

Curate a full sensory experience. 

Inside your home, don’t just consider the way it looks, but the way it sounds and smells too. Play Christmas music and fill your home with festive aromas like Lauryn’s homemade potpourri.

Be extra about your Elf on the Shelf. 

Let’s be real, if you’re a parent that does Elf on the Shelf, you’re already a little extra. (And, we love that.) Huge pat on the back for you, because it’s a commitment.

However, on Christmas morning, it’s time to take it to the next level. We know that your elf leaves with Santa on Christmas, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get into some final holiday shenanigans before heading out. 

Maybe they baked some cookies and left a huge mess. Maybe they had a movie night with all your children’s stuffed animals. Or, maybe they created a homemade ski slope and had a long night of winter sports fun. 

Whatever it is, make it extra. As a bonus, leave a note from the elf that tells your child how amazing they are and how they can’t wait to see them next year.

Create a scavenger hunt. 

If you want to draw out the gift opening to keep the magic going, a scavenger hunt is a great way to do it. 

They can either hunt for presents or small Christmas treasures like candy canes, ornaments, snowmen, and more. Just get creative and get them exploring.

Cook an amazing family breakfast. 

Everything we’ve described so far will probably keep your kids occupied for a while. So much excitement!

Make the Christmas season extra special by creating a magical atmosphere, from twinkling lights to a festive breakfast spread. But when the time comes to sit down and make breakfast, make it incredible. Whether it’s the size of the feast or the themed pancakes, make Christmas morning breakfast special. 

Plan an outing after presents are opened. 

The truth is, Christmas morning is pretty short-lived. There’s all this build-up, and then it’s over in a matter of hours, maybe less. 

Capture the magic of Christmas morning by stringing up some lights, playing some festive tunes, and baking up a batch of yummy treats. As your kids wake up to a pile of presents, watch the wonder in their eyes and soak up the joy of the season.

To keep the magic going all of Christmas Day, plan an outing after presents are opened. 

A lot of things will be closed on Christmas day, but there are likely public things you can do in your area depending on the location and climate.

Make this magical Christmas morning even more special by creating a festive atmosphere that will spark joy and wonder in your children’s eyes.

You could go ice skating, sledding, snowman building, Christmas light touring, or nature walking. Or volunteer your time at a local establishment that needs some extra help.  

Stay present and avoid your phone. 

Though you’ll probably have your phone handy for picture-taking purposes, try to only have it out for that reason.

Don’t worry about any of the other notifications. Just stay present and have the best family Christmas EVER. 

Make this Christmas even more magical. 

Christmas morning can be so special. Honestly, you don’t need to do even half of these ideas to fill your children with wonder and holiday spirit. They’ll be so excited no matter what.

But, if you want to create some extravagant Christmas memories, these tips are sure to wow everyone in your family.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ Check out these last minute gift ideas.

++ How to throw a holiday cocktail party everyone will love.

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