Christmas with 2-year olds is a blessing! They might be difficult to keep out of trouble, but they find every way to wring the most out of the magic of the season. Here are some things we found that brought Christmas to the forefront for us while it created magic for the girls:
Let it Snow - Christmas in Half Moon Bay
- Take the family to the Half Moon Bay's Night of Lights - They have a parade of kids aglow with lights, carolers, horse and carriage rides, sponsored kiosks of roasted chestnuts, a place to roast marshmallows, live bands, Santa with candy canes and a foam machine mounted above that makes it seem like it's snowing. The girls just loved this event. The snow machine was a real hit!
- Make a pot of hot chocolate one evening, dip candy canes in it and then bundle the kids from head to toe so you can all go outside, hold hands and admire the neighborhood's Christmas lights. We did this a number of times this year.
- Pack everyone up and drive to Ghiradelli Square for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Introduce the kids to Santa Claus and get a piece of Ghiradelli chocolate. After watching the lights and the big tree, stop at the Ghiradelli ice cream parlor for a one-scoop sundae, complete with fudge, whipped cream and cherry. Watch your kids inhale everything.
- Go to the Reindeer Romp at the SF Zoo - The kids can meet Santa again as well as his reindeer. There are also crafts, like making your own set of antlers, as well as an ice skating rink. Rent skates or, if you don't have enough arms to guide all kids, watch the ice skaters glide past. Santa, sponsored by the SF Fire Dept., also gives toys and candy canes to the brave little ones who sit on his lap for a quick Polaroid photo (donation of $5 is suggested).
- Play Santa - usually, we sign up through church to sponsor a family at Christmastime and buy the family some necessities. This year, however, we decided to be the delivery people of these gifts that other families purchased and wrapped. The girls and I donned Santa hats and a cell phone, and converted our minivan into a sleigh. I told the kids to pay special attention to the smiles that came from the kids' faces. The girls loved it, meeting new families and spreading cheer. After the first house, a very thankful and appreciative family of 7, Ava asked, "Can we do that again?" We did - 2 more times!
- Ask the kids to write a letter to Santa telling him everything they want. Be astounded when the only things they want are candy canes and a pet fish. (This makes it very easy to give them everything on their list at least once in their lives!) Tell them to leave cookies and milk for the "Big Man" and carrots for his reindeer. Watch their expressions in the morning when all the treats are eaten.
- To round out the season, take the kids to the Epiphany services on Twelfth Night (the 12th day of Christmas or 3 Kings Day). Our church has a live enactment of of the kings' arrival to the nativity. The "kings" are children of the congregation chosen at dinner just beforehand (via a token prize in the dessert) and "baby Jesus" is one of the youngest members of the congregation, this year, 6-week Andrew. "Mary" is played by the mother of the baby that plays Jesus, and "Joseph" is played by the keeper of the real live donkey that comes to church and walks through the chapel!! The kids just loved seeing the real donkey and adding their own gifts (3 coloring crayons and a toy compass) to those left by the kings on the alter for Jesus.
