How to keep the kids calm on Christmas Eve

Children (and adults!) have a tendency to get over-excited on Christmas Eve. They've been looking forward to Christmas all year and now the big day has almost arrived.

However, the last thing you want is to start Christmas day exhausted and frazzled because the kids have kept you up all night waiting for Santa Claus to arrive! Furthermore, if your little ones aren't well-rested they're likely to be tired and fractious on Christmas day which will make them more prone to tantrums.

Fear not; help is at hand! Here are gurgle's top tips on how to keep your kids calm on Christmas Eve:pri

1) Keep your children busy and occupied throughout the day. Why not encourage them to help you in the kitchen? You can bake some Christmas cupcakes together:

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
125g/4oz Caster sugar
125g/4oz Soft Margarine
125g/4oz Self-raising flour
1 tsp vanilla essence

You will need:
Cupcake paper cake cases

- Heat the oven to 180c/350f/Gas mark 4

- Beat the sugar and butter together in a bowl. Add in each egg separately and whisk until light and fluffy.

- Sieve in the flour and add the tsp of vanilla essence and whisk again until the mixture is smooth.

- Divide equally between your cake cases and place in the oven.

- Cook for 18-20 minutes, until the cakes have risen and are golden. If you touch them they should spring back easily.

- Allow them to cool before decorating.

You can decorate with hundreds and thousands, smarties, flakes or, for a healthier option, try strawberries, raisins or chopped grapes. To add a Christmas theme, use coloured icing to create a Santa, reindeer or snowman on top of your cupcake!

2) Arts and crafts are also a great way to keep your kids occupied. Why not encourage a bit of festive goodwill and ask your children to make Christmas cards for the neighbours? You could also make your own Christmas crackers.

3) The key to ensuring your kids have a good night's sleep is by getting rid of all that excess energy! Head to your local park with all the family and have a game of football, rounders, tag or anything that generally involves a lot of running around.

4) Write a message for Father Christmas to leave by the chimney. Remember to also leave him a mince pie, a glass of port (he loves that!) and a carrot for Rudolph.

5) Reading bedtime stories to your little ones is a great way to relax and calm them; choose a Christmas story to get into the festive spirit.

6) Make sure your children have an early night to avoid them becoming over-tired; a nice warm bath may help to make them sleepy and ready for bed.

7) Go to an early evening carol concert. Choose one at around 5pm, so it won't matter if your children make a noise. Soothing hymns such as 'Silent Night' will hopefully have the desired effect!

8) Watch a nostalgic family movie together; although you shouldn't encourage too much tv watching, it's fine once in a while as a treat and on special occasions.

9) Take your little ones to the nearest ice rink and have a spin round the ice (they may need to go in between Mum's and Dad's legs)

10) Listen to some calming Christmas carols; think hymns like 'Once in Royal David's City' rather than 'Jingle Bells!' The aim is to calm your children down, rather than make them hyper!