3 Tips To Help Kids Sleep On Christmas Eve

From Advent calendars to elves on our shelves, Christmas is all about anticipation.

And boy, do kids know it. Come December 24, many little minds are too eager for the day ahead to settle down (plus, many are aware that Santa’s working hours fall in the darkest depths of the night).

Thankfully, Dr Deborah Lee of Doctor Fox has teamed up with sleep and mattress specialists Comfybedss to share her tips for a stress-free nighttime routine.

“Christmas Eve is magical, but it can also be overstimulating for young children. A calm, predictable routine helps slow their busy minds and signals to the body that it’s time to rest,” she said.

Some sleep experts recommend “sleep staggering” before the clocks change, or slowly adjusting your bedtime by minutes ahead of the time shift.

Dr Fox said this can work for Christmas, too.

A few days before, she said, “shift the evening routine forward by 10-15 minutes each night. Lower the lights, reduce noise levels, and gently transition into calmer activities, such as reading.”

She added it’s important to stick to this bedtime as much as possible.

“Children feel safest when their routine stays consistent – especially on exciting days. A warm bath, comfortable pyjamas and a familiar story signal the brain that it’s time to sleep.”

Though the holidays wouldn’t quite be the same without great movies and delicious treats, Dr Fox said that kids will settle down faster in the evenings if you cut these off around 3pm (that includes the final Advent calendar chocolate!).

“High-energy snacks and blue-light exposure can increase alertness,” she said.

“Swap them for fruit, warm milk and quiet, screen-free activities.”

“With energy levels high and perhaps more sugar being consumed due to Advent calendars and treats, it’s important to burn that energy off to ensure they aren’t hyper,” the expert stated.

“Consider an after-dinner walk or scavenger hunt.”