Don't know about you but the bank balance has only just recovered from buying new school uniform and October half term... 6 weeks until Christmas!! Argghhhhhh! OK, so I love Christmas, probably more than the kids, it's not the presents but all the extra fuff. Yes, I am one of those annoying people who puts the decorations up on the 1st December! Sorry! So here's a few Christmassy suggestions for things to do with the kids between now and the big day.
Christmas Lights/Parades... If you want to go for the big day out then it's got to be a day trip to London for the 'Free' Hamley's Toy Parade on Sunday 20th November! This year Mr Tumble is starring but there is everyone from My Little Pony to Lego Ninjago characters to Paddington Bear and our current favourite Power Rangers Dino Charge! The parade covers 1.5 miles, starts at 10:30am and entertainment including meet the characters goes on until 16:30.
Closer to home look out for local Christmas Lights Switch On. Faversham Christmas Lights on Saturday 26th November is always popular especially now it is followed by the Night Market with hot food stalls and live music. If your feeling creative make your own festive lantern and enter the Whitstable Christmas Light Parade also on the 26th. Maidstone's is on the 17th November with Father Christmas, Panto stars and for the teeny boppers/X-Factor fans boy band 'Yes Lad!' If you head to Folkestone on Friday 18th November, the lantern parade makes its way from Leas Cliff Hall to Folkestone Town Hall for the light switch on then down to the harbour for a fireworks display! In Medway, Rainham has the Gruffalo, Strood has Marshall from Paw Patrol and Gillingham has Scrat from Ice Age so lots of choice. It's definately becoming a bigger event in the diary and it's free!
Christmas Markets... Having stomped around the German Christmas Market in Hyde Park some 9 years ago that later morphed into what is now Winter Wonderland London, I have grown to love a festive market and for many years being in charge of a pushchair with mulled wine in hand was an annual occur occurance! So me and the boys still love Winter Wonderland, we've done the Circus and the Ice Kingdom, but it is busy so timing is key and you will haemorrhage money letting the kids get their ride fix.
Christmas Markets are however popping up everywhere now so this year why not check out Rochester Christmas Market in the grounds of the Castle, Free Entry. There is shopping for us gift buyers (usually gifts for myself to be honest), fair rides for the kiddies, 'Snow' and Bavarian food village. If you go on the 3rd/4th December it is also the Dickensian Festival which includes Lantern Parades, Reindeer, Dickensian Characters and Victorian Horse&Carriage rides for £2.50 pp. On Friday 2nd and 9th, the fair rides are only a £1 so good for those with Pre-Schoolers.
Christmas Festival Market at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, might be worth a look too on 26th November. It is undercover in Slip 5 outside the Dockyard so it's FREE entry. Includes Santa, Reindeer, Craft stalls, Ice Skating and entertainment. And it's near the Dockside shopping outlet too if you need a few more bits.
We really enjoyed the Leeds Castle Christmas Market last year, with Craft stalls, Reindeer, Fair Rides, and Mulled Wine, and all the normal Leeds Castle attractions! OK so entrance tickets are expensive but your entry tickets are valid for the whole year and buy on line in advance to save so worth considering. They do have Santa too but it's probably already sold out!
Xmas Cake and Craft... So we're not all the next recruit for bake off but when it's cold outside where better to be in the kitchen with biscuits and cake! So I like a traditional Christmas Cake as I get to bake it early and keep topping it up with brandy! Then just before Christmas the kids help roll out the marzipan and icing. For the cheat option just buy a good sized fruit cake, the kids still get the fun of designing there own decoration and whose going to know! Gingerbread is also very popular in my house, we do make our own but no matter how closely I follow Mary Berry's recipe it sticks to the counter and I have to throw a ton more flour in! Or just buy them in the supermarket and get the kids to decorate, lots of tubes of icing and sweet decorations to choose from.
Last year everyone on Facebook was making sock snowmen following the you tube video. This year why not get the kids to try out these...
Salt Dough Decorations, all you need is flour, salt and some paints!!
Invest in some Porcelain Pens, then you can make your own Santa plates, Personalised mugs, Vases, you name it! My pens have been going a good few years now and still have plenty of life in them!
Or if its all too much effort, pop along to Little Potters in Sittingbourne, and drink tea while the kids decorate various ornaments for the grandparents Christmas presents!
Check out Dover Port, I know sounds bonkers right?! but in Cruise Terminal One, Western Docks there will be an indoor ice rink and Santa's Grotto! Book Ice skating for those aged 5+, for 45 minute session, 2 adults/2 children £28. Santa is there weekends from 19th November and everyday in the week before Christmas. It's £10, receive a gift and don't forget to post your letter to Santa in the special post box for him to read later. There is also a Christmas Market on Saturday and Sundays.
Dreamland, Margate have Santa's Grotto taking pride of place under the Scenic Railway. From 3rd -24th December book in to become an honorary Elf, help collect up the Christmas baubles, mix the magic Reindeer food and get a gift and photo with the man himself for £9.95 (Members £8.95). For the under 2s meet Santa and have a photo for £3.50. Make day of it by visiting the Frosted Fairground or head inside to the soft play or roller rink!
Want something more traditional, Alexander Centre, Faversham have a fantastic Father Christmas. You can book to visit him in the Mayors Parlour on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December, £6 per child. They can also participate in some Christmas crafts, the tea room is open and a Christmas Market for those last minute buys.
Or why not visit Santa in his Woodland Grotto and get some fresh winter air at Shorne Woods Country Park, Gravesend. Take the Christmas trail around the woods and solve the clues to find Santa at his grotto. See Santa for £6, (book online) then why not stop for a hot choc in the visitor centre and a play on the adventure playground.
If you visit any of these festive venues and want to share your pics and reviews or tips, go to the Facebook Page! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
