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Christmas truly is the most magical time of the year—especially when you’re sharing it with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. But the excitement of waiting for the big day can feel like an eternity for little ones who don’t yet understand time.
That’s why the countdown to Christmas is just as special as Christmas itself. With a few simple ideas, you can turn December into a month of meaningful memories, connection and joy.
Here are five beautiful ways to help your little one enjoy the anticipation and build family traditions you’ll treasure forever.
1. Introduce a Daily Christmas Countdown Routine
Children love predictability and repetition—they feel safe, confident and excited when they know what comes next. A daily countdown ritual is a wonderful way to help them understand the passage of time while giving them something to look forward to every day.
Your countdown could be:
- Singing the same Christmas carol together each morning
- Marking the calendar with stickers
- Reading a special book
- Moving Santa or an Elf across a chart
Little minds thrive on those small but meaningful moments.
2. Use a Hands-On Advent Activity (the Montessori way) — our top recommendation!
A standout option for little children is the Wondertivity Christmas Advent Calendar. Not only is it beautiful and reusable year after year, but it’s also designed especially for toddlers and preschoolers.
Why parents love it
✔ Chocolate-free, screen-free and guilt-free
✔ Builds fine-motor skills with threading, pulling, clipping and coordinating actions
✔ Encourages independence and confidence
✔ Turns the countdown into a calm daily ritual
✔ Designed to be reused, treasured and kept as a family tradition
Each day your child reveals a felt activity or character, adding it to the calendar—this is where the magic happens. They’re not just counting down—they’re building Christmas. And the excitement grows stronger every day.
It becomes a moment of connection:
“Let’s see what today’s surprise is!”
And because it’s chocolate-free and sugar-free, it’s perfect for families who want to avoid the daily sugar rush that so many other advent calendars create.
3. Create a Christmas Story Time Corner
Choose 3–5 Christmas books and return to them every day. You can include:
- The Night Before Christmas
- A Nativity picture book
- A Santa or reindeer story
- Any favourites from your shelf
Make it cosy: cushions, fairy lights, a blanket and maybe a soft toy “story buddy.”
This small ritual is calming and it helps with early literacy, language, prediction and memory skills.
4. Add Small Acts of Kindness to the Countdown
It’s never too early to teach little hearts about giving.
Try:
- Making a card for grandparents
- Donating a toy
- Leaving bird seed outside
- Helping with baking
- Saying something kind to someone
These tiny gestures help develop empathy and gratitude—and they become the moments children remember most.
5. Bring Christmas to Everyday Play
You don’t need elaborate activities. Young children learn through hands-on exploration and imagination.
You could:
- Decorate a mini tree together
- Play Christmas music dance parties
- Make playdough ornaments
- Create a sensory tray with pinecones or bells
- Do simple crafts or colouring
Let play be the centre of the experience. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and confidence.
A Countdown That Becomes a Tradition
Christmas isn’t just about the 25th—it’s about the sparkle, the ideas, the giggles and the slow build of excitement along the way. With just a few thoughtful rituals, December becomes less rushed and more meaningful.
Whether it’s reading stories, doing small acts of kindness, or using the Wondertivity Christmas Advent Calendar to create a beautiful daily routine, you’re giving your child the gift of memories that last forever.
And truly, that is the magic of Christmas.
