Obviously, we are all teaching our children the important lessons of: being appreciative of what you have, the importance of helping others, and how to be a considerate and mindful person. But, let's just be real for a moment here, sometimes kids just don't behave and you need a few tricks in your bag to keep everyone sane. As the child of immigrant parents, who were both from very different countries (Sweden and Italy), our household had a lovely mix of holiday traditions - and also holidays tales about what you might or might not get if you were good or bad around Christmas-time. In Vancouver, I am lucky enough to have a wide community with an array of different traditions, so I've learned a few more ways to keep your little dudes in check. Here is a small sample of my favourites.
The Tomte
My father grew up on a working farm in Northern Sweden, where children helped out with all the indoor and outdoor chores. From my dad comes the tale of the Tomte. This little guy looks quite a lot like a friendly garden gnome and lives stealthily in either the house or somewhere on the farm. He helps with the care of the animals and some housekeeping, and will bring little gifts around Winter Solstice / Christmas-time to children who help their parents around the homestead. He is quick-tempered though, and if the children of the house are naughty he will play tricks on them and be a general long-term annoyance. Oh, and no presents.
La Befana
My mother is from Cassino, Italy, which is a small village that has a lovely mix of traditions, superstitions, and religion. In Italy, La Befana is the Christmas witch, and her background varies depending on who you talk to. Generally, she is paired with Father Christmas and will bring gifts or candy to children in the new year. Befana will fly around on her broom from home to home giving sweets to well-behaved children or a lump of coal (sometimes a stick) to the naughty ones. Her visit also marks the start of the new year and will bring good-luck to a household with good children. She will sweep your floors before she leaves too. Out with the old, in with the new.
Elf on a Shelf
I'm not gonna lie, this Elf on a Shelf thing is my favourite right now. I heard about this "scout elf" from a friend who brought it into her home last Christmas to tame her two little boys. Apparently this is quite a new invention, but the general idea is that the Elf comes to your home, your children give it a name, and throughout the day it watches your children's behaviour and then, at night, flies off to report everything to Santa. I was a little worried my kids would find it creepy, especially since it's supposed to pop up in a different place each morning (eek!); but my daughter has been leaving cookies for and writing letters to our elf each night and is delighted when she gets a crumb-filled reply each morning (thank you very much).
Write a letter to Santa
Yes, this seems obvious, but writing a letter to Santa wasn't something I actually did when I was little. I mean, Santa has so many helpers to keep an eye on us, why does he need a letter too? For my kids, the hope of getting what's on that list is excellent motivation to share their Lego with each other or stop tackling each other from the couch. Tonight is the Regional Assembly of Text's free monthly letter writing club - why not take your little one there to type out a letter to Santa? or send a letter to the Tomte or elves?
Clearly, our children are, for the most part, kind and considerate citizens of Vancouver; but when a sugar rush strikes or toy anxiety overwhelms this holiday season, think about what might make your evening go just a little smoother - and ignite some of that Christmas magic of course! What are the Christmas traditions from your family's background? I'd love to know.
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Carina-Marie Nilsson is the co-founder of Peaks and Harbours, a Vancouver “not just for moms” blog that showcases everything our city has to offer the younger crowd. @carinamarienilsson
