5 CHILD-FRIENDLY IDEAS TO ADD SOME SOUTH AFRICAN FESTIVE FUN

Christmas in summer offers plenty of opportunities for fun, creativity, and family bonding. Whether you're decking the halls or crafting a new tradition, here are five child-friendly ideas to make this Christmas season extra special for your family in sunny Mzansi.

1. Create a DIY Advent Calendar

An advent calendar is a fantastic way to build excitement in the days leading up to Christmas. Instead of buying a pre-made one, why not craft a custom calendar with your children? You can make it as simple as hanging numbered envelopes on the wall or create little boxes or bags filled with surprises like small toys, chocolates, or even fun holiday-themed tasks (such as singing a Christmas carol or doing a good deed). This interactive project not only provides a daily dose of holiday joy, but it also lets your children participate in the magic of counting down to Christmas. What about including typically-South African treats in to your advent calendar?

2. Let Elfie Show his Support for Your Local Team of Choice

If you have an Elf on the Shelf at home getting up to some naughty tricks, this may be an ideal time to allow Elfie to show his support for your local team of choice. Get the kids involved by cutting out a template from craft felt and gluing it together to create a supporter's jersey. The children can then add logos or emblems by using markers on the felt to give the jersey an authentic feel. When the jersey is done, leave it out overnight to see if Elfie puts it on and wears it, showing his support! Think green and yellow felt for the Springboks or even yellow and black for the Kaiser Chiefs. No matter the team - letting Elfie show off the children's creations is sure to be a hit!

3. Craft Unique Christmas Decorations with Local Materials

Instead of traditional Christmas decor, why not involve the kids in making their own South African-inspired ornaments? Gather materials from your surroundings, like dried flowers, pine cones, feathers, and brightly colored beads. You can make ornaments such as beaded angels, wire wreaths, or mini wooden animals. Another fun craft is to create festive serviettes or table settings using vibrant prints or local fabrics, adding a unique touch to your celebrations. These handmade decorations won't only look beautiful but also allow your children to tap into their creativity and learn about local culture.

4. Christmas Eve Storytelling and Stargazing

One of the best things about a South African Christmas is the warm evenings and clear skies. Make your Christmas Eve extra magical by gathering the kids outside for a night of storytelling and stargazing. Start by telling festive stories-perhaps some local legends or traditional Christmas tales-and then lie on blankets and gaze up at the stars. You can even try to spot Santa's sleigh (or at least make a wish upon a star!). For added fun, have the children prepare some milk and cookies (or even coca cola and biltong?) for Santa, or leave out a special note for him in your backyard, to add to the anticipation for Christmas Day.

5. Write Letters to Santa and Enter a Lucky Draw

Get the kids involved in one of the most magical traditions - writing letters to Santa! Drop them off at one of the participating Wakefields branches in one of our special magical post boxes, and each child will receive a reply from Santa himself. Plus, we're running a lucky draw where five lucky kids will win an item off their Wishlist just in time for Christmas!

The campaign ends on 9 December , with winners announced on 12 December . You can download our Letter to Santa template here . It's a heartwarming way to create lasting memories and make this festive season even more magical for the little ones.

Pro Tip: Make Christmas Morning Extra Special

Transform Christmas morning with a "Santa's footprints" trail leading from the fireplace to the tree. Using flour, baby powder, or fake snow, sprinkle footprints around your living room to make it look like Santa just made his way through your home. The look of wonder on your children's faces will be priceless! An easy way to ensure you hit the mark on this every time is to make a basic shoe/boot-print stencil using cardboard or off-cuts from a packaging box.

This holiday season, try these kid-friendly ideas to bring extra festive cheer to your home. From homemade crafts to gingerbread fun, these activities will not only entertain but also help create lasting memories for years to come. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from KZN's #1 real estate agency!