THE build-up to December 25 has to be the most magical time of the year:
the anticipation in the air, the twinkling lights illuminating the dark winter nights and all those seasonal, sensory sights and sounds. Across Scotland, there is a dazzling mix of family events between now and Christmas to keep the little people - and the big ones - entertained.
So immerse yourselves in all things jolly and joyful - seek out new places, revisit old favourites, explore what's on your doorstep or venture further afield.
They may be big boots to fill, but could your children stand in for Santa? The Scotland Street Santa School, at the Scotland Street School Museum in Glasgow, will train them up, just in case there's a Christmas crisis (www.glasgowlife.org.uk). Youngsters will make Santa beards, learn how to control a sleigh, make yummy reindeer food and glittery arty creations. All graduates will receive a special Santa School certificate. It runs on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21.
Maybe you have a budding Buddy the Elf at home? If so, enlist them in Elf Training School at the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre (www.nts.org.uk). On December 6, 7, 13 and 14, wannabe elves will learn about elf and safety, present wrapping and reindeer food preparation. Children will earn a certificate and enter the workshop for crafty Christmas fun.
Elf workshops also play a part in Glasgow Science Centre's Christmas programme, where children can help Santa design a new sleigh (www.glasgowsciencecentre.org). The Science Centre's Christmas Time Little Explorer Day, perfect for three to five-year-olds, has Santa Claus as the guest of honour. Children can make decorations, learn about snow, explore the Antarctic and help Santa find his way home in the planetarium show, Santa's Starry Adventure.
With Rudolph and co gearing up for a busy night on Christmas Eve, how about a day trip to see other cute four-legged friends? Head to the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride (www.nms.ac.uk) on December 7 to celebrate Christmas down on the farm with donkeys and Shetland foals. Meet Father Christmas, watch the pantomime and pick up some gift ideas at the craft fair. Experience traditional Yuletide activities at the farmhouse with pomander making and Victorian parlour games.
If it's a family tradition to whizz - or wobble - across the ice at open-air rinks, lace up your skates for Glasgow On Ice, in George Square until December 31 (www.glasgowloveschristmas.com). You may have to cling to each other for dear life as you twirl under the lights, but it's guaranteed to leave everyone rosy of cheek, dizzy with exhilaration and in need of a restorative hot chocolate or two. Themed events include Skating With Rudolph And Friends on December 2 and 16; Music For The Movies on December 10 and Throwback Thursdays on December 4, 11 and 18 at 7pm with tunes from Clyde 1.
Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations include two open-air rinks this year (www.edinburghschristmas.com), until January 4. There's a new rink in St Andrew Square, which circles the Melville Monument, and one at The Mound Precinct and East Princes Street Gardens which is overlooked by the Scott Monument. There's plenty of off-ice action in both cities too.
Glasgow On Ice has funfair rides, the big wheel and the new Christmas Workshop with free weekend activities for all ages. Every Saturday, children and families can make Christmas decorations and cards, take part in the Big Knit and Upcycle events and listen to author readings. There's Santa Storytime on Sundays too.
In Edinburgh, at The Mound Precinct and East Princes Street Gardens, take to the sky in the Star Flyer and the big wheel, and step into Santa Land, with its ice wall, Santa train and Christmas Tree Maze.
As every parent knows, pre-Christmas excitement often reaches fever pitch, so when it's time to scrape the kids off the ceiling, take them outdoors to burn off some of that excess energy. There's nothing quite like getting bundled up for a crisp afternoon in the fresh air so gather your flock on December 13 for a gentle stroll on the Winter Wildlife Walk at RSPB Loch Lomond in Gartocharn, where your guide will tell you all about winter creatures (www.lovelochlomond.com).
Keep those walking boots at the ready and get festive in the forest with the Forestry Commission Scotland (http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk). At Glenbranter, in Argyll, children can take part in a seasonal squirrel trail and make decorations and cards using forest treasures such as cones, twigs and leaves from December 1 to 21. Horse and carriage rides are available through the forest too, on December 7 and 20.
On December 6 at Blairadam Wood, near Kelty in Fife, listen to a yarn or two from costumed storytellers and try crafts such as willow weaving.
Kelburn Estate in Ayrshire (www.kelburnestate.com) hosts a Christmas Fair on December 6 and 7 featuring family games, face painting, carol singing, a Christmas film tent and marshmallow toasting around the bonfire. Christmas is party season, after all, which means it's time to get your groove on. Mini movers will love Baby Loves Disco's Christmas Cheer (www.edinburghschristmas.com), a day-clubbing experience for parents and their tiny dancers on December 7, 14 and 21 in the Spiegeltent in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. Just don't embarrass them with dodgy dad dancing.
If you share your home with ballet fans, Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker workshops allow youngsters to explore the story and movement from the enchanting production. (www.scottishballet.co.uk).
The workshops, at Tramway, Glasgow, run on December 13, 14, 20 and 21 for children aged three to nine. Both adult and child will participate in the classes for three to four-year-olds, so dust down your dancing shoes, mum and dad, and enter Clara's captivating dream world full of marching soldiers, frozen ice fairies and sweets that come to life.
Workshops also take place at Festival Theatre Edinburgh on December 29 and 30.
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