FAMILY MATTERS / PARENTING
Kids’ corner
From leaving out treats for Rudolph and tracking Santa on his sleigh to presents to please and great outdoor adventures for all the family, we’re gearing up for all the excitement of Christmas
Words Sophie Astin SANTA’S ON HIS WAY!
Writing letters to Father Christmas, sending them up the chimney to the North Pole, or putting them by the fi replace with a mince pie or two and a glass of sherry for Santa (not forgetting a carrot for Rudolph) isn’t new. Children the world over have been sending their Christmas requests to Santa for years – the difference now is that the man in red can actually write back…Personalised letters from Santa are becoming ever more popular as an added Christmas treat. Mailed out in large red envelopes, letters
from Santa Post are personalised with details such as most wanted present, best friend’s name and any achievements this year. Proof, if it were needed, that Santa is real! UK orders are taken until 20th December. Visit
www.santapost.co.uk • For a free alternative, Royal Mail suggests
sending a letter no later than 6th December to: Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland XM4 5HQ. Remember to put a stamp on the envelope and include your name and address on the letter. A reply will be forthcoming by Christmas Eve… • For a personalised video message from Santa, visit
www.portablenorthpole.tv/home
Christmas Eve isn’t the same without tracking Father Christmas’ progress as his sleigh whizzes round the globe, delivering presents. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) claim to employ radar and satellites to track the infrared signal given off by Rudolph’s nose – “We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep.” • Visit
www.noradsanta.org/
A surprise inside
Advent calendars are an essential part of the build-up to the big day and behind each of the 24 doors in Playmobil’s new range of calendars is a little surprise to build a complete set that can be played with long after the Christmas tree has been recycled. Some sets are more festive than others – choose from Fire & Rescue, Santa’s Workshop and Christmas in the Forest. • Priced £19.99 from retailers including Amazon, Argos and John Lewis, or visit www.
playmobil.co.uk
www.indexmagazine.co.uk
Blow away the cobwebs
After Christmas most of us feel the need to work off the excesses of too many mince pies and late nights, so blow out the cobwebs and explore the many nature reserves, parks and commons, in and around Tunbridge Wells. Surrounded as we are by beautiful, accessible countryside, eight walks have been specially designed by the Kent High Weald Partnership for families with babies and toddlers. The sites, at Birchden Wood, Broadwater Warren, Dunorlan Park, Eridge Rocks, Hargate Forest, Pepenbury, Rusthall Common and Tunbridge Wells Common have
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been chosen because of their heritage interest as well as their suitability for families with young children, who want to venture out into the countryside. The guide has information on what to expect from each walk and how accessible they are for toddlers and/or buggies. Find out more at
www.highweald.org/ However, if it’s the bright lights of the
big city you’re craving, Urban Explorer is perfect for tracking down unusual (and often free) activities for families to do in London. Sign up at
www.urbanexplorer.com to receive a weekly digest.
www.indexmagazine.co.uk getting married? –
www.planningyourwedding.co.uk
© National Trust John Millar
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