Christmas is soon approaching, and the festivities have definitely begun. After last year’s celebrations were put on hold, this Christmas is even more special. Christmas is the perfect time for being with loved ones and we have the perfect activities for you to do together, both at home Christmas activities and local Christmas events.
Christmas Activities at Home
Getting Creative
There are plenty of ways to get creative this Christmas, from making homemade cards to building snowmen in the garden. Being creative 
can be beneficial for the full family; it can help improve your mood, boost your self-esteem and alleviate stress and anxiety. Christmas crafts are also an amazing way to decorate your house on a lower budget and keep your children busy until Santa arrives.
One of the easiest and most fun crafts is bauble painting for your tree, all you need are plain baubles, acrylic paint and your creativity. Another fun Christmas craft is building gingerbread houses, most supermarkets this year are selling gingerbread house kits if you don’t want to bake your own gingerbread. Building a gingerbread house can be used to start a friendly competition, which will be hours of Christmas fun. Finally, to help guide Santa and his reindeer to your house this Christmas, you can create your own reindeer food. This is a great way to keep the excitement for Santa alive while on a budget. To create reindeer food, all you need is uncooked oats and you can also add other ingredients like carrots or dried fruit. Then, just sprinkle some reindeer food across the garden on Christmas eve night and get ready for Santa and his reindeer to arrive.
Online Santa Tracker
Every year Google have a free online Santa tracker, which allows children to track what country Santa is in and where he is going to next. Google’s Santa tracker also offers games, videos and activities for children to do before Christmas eve. This is an amazing way for your children to get excited for Christmas and learn through the little activities that are added in daily.
Christmas Movie Night
With the dark nights and cold weather, it seems to be the perfect time to wrap up in a blanket, make some hot chocolate and watch 
Christmas movies. We have recommendations for you, from Christmas movie classics to family favourites.
One of our favourite movies to watch at Christmas is Home Alone. Home Alone follows eight-year-old Kevin who has been accidentally left at home, thieves try breaking into his house and Kevin soon realises it’s not easy being home alone. This movie combines slapstick comedy and Christmas perfectly for the full family to enjoy. Another Christmas favourite of ours is Love Actually, this follows eight couples trying to navigate their relationships in the run up to Christmas. Love Actually is the perfect rom-com for Christmas and has an incredible cast, including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Keira Knightley. Finally, A Christmas Carol (1951) is one of our favourite Christmas Classics. A Christmas Carol follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a spiteful man, who encounters three spirits on Christmas who prompt him to become a better man.
Local Christmas Events
York Christmas Market
From the 18th November until the 23rd December, York is hosting their popular Christmas market at Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. The York Christmas Market is filled with a range of venders with unique products, which could make the perfect Christmas gift. Also, in the York Christmas Market is THOR’S Tipi Bar, which serves food and drink alongside a burning fire pit.
Winter Wonderland at Newcastle Racecourse
Running from the 19th November until the 2nd January, Newcastle Racecourse are hosting a Winter Wonderland. They have a range of rides and attractions for all ages and a wide range of street food stalls to cater to everyone’s taste buds.
Santa’s Grotto at Billingham Forum
From the 20th November until the 24th December, experience the magic of Christmas by visiting Santa’s Grotto at Billingham Forum. Capture the joy on your children’s faces with a photo of them with Santa. Then to get you into the Christmas spirit, head into the ice arena for some ice skating. It will be £8 per child or two children for £14, which includes the junior ice skate and the skate hire for the children visiting Santa.
Whitby Winter Festival
Whitby is going the extra mile and hosting a Winter Festival from the 26th November until the end of March. At the festival there will be a range attractions and events, such as an ice rink and a Christmas market. The Whitby Winter Festival will also have different events happening on certain days, such as the Krampus Run and the Boxing Day dip.
