15 Christmas Eve traditions for families with kids

In the afternoon

1. Bake cookies for Santa. Let the kids decorate their own.
2. Make reindeer food. Oats and dried cranberries in a small bag.
3. Deliver treats to neighbors. A plate of cookies and a card.
4. Watch one Christmas movie together. The same one every year.

In the evening

5. A Christmas Eve box. New pajamas, a book, hot chocolate and a small treat.
6. Drive or walk to see the lights. Bring hot chocolate in a flask.
7. Track Santa. NORAD Tracks Santa and Google's Santa Tracker show where Santa is.
8. Open one present. Often the new pajamas.
9. A family photo in pajamas. Same spot every year, so you can see the kids grow.
10. Write a note to Santa. A thank-you, or one last wish.

At bedtime

11. Set out the plate. Cookies and milk, or a mince pie, and a carrot for the reindeer. See what to leave out for Santa.
12. Read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". Or another story you read every year.
13. Listen for sleigh bells. A parent rings a bell outside the bedroom window.
14. Sprinkle reindeer food on the lawn. So the reindeer can find the house.
15. An early bedtime. "Santa only comes when everyone is asleep."

After the kids are asleep

• Leave clues: boot prints, crumbs, a note. See 12 ways to leave proof that Santa visited.
• Take a quiet photo of the tree with the presents under it.

Questions

What goes in a Christmas Eve box?

New pajamas, a Christmas book, hot chocolate mix, a small treat and a Christmas movie. Some families add a candle or a small toy.

What time should kids go to bed on Christmas Eve?

Most families keep the normal bedtime or a little earlier. Tell them Santa only comes when everyone is asleep.

How can I track Santa on Christmas Eve?

Use NORAD Tracks Santa or Google Santa Tracker. Both are free, and live tracking starts on December 24.