7 activities to do during the Christmas holidays with children

Go and see the Christmas decorations

Christmas lighting transforms city streets and squares into a visual spectacle. From giant Christmas trees to entire covered facades ledto colored lights with Christmas motifs.

If you have young children or grandchildren, the Christmas lights will be an almost magical spectacle for them.

Normally, Christmas lighting can attract a large number of people. So avoid crowds (weekends, rush hour, etc.), so you can see the Christmas lights in complete peace of mind.

Give a second life to your children’s toys and clothes that they no longer use

Have you been putting away your children’s clothes for months but don’t know what to do with them? The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to tidy up your closet and free it from everything you no longer need.

We recommend that you do not throw anything in the trash that is still in good condition. And involve your children in this selection, educating them on the importance of sharing. There is no shortage of associations that collect toys and clothes to give them a second life.

The Portuguese Red Cross, for example, accepts new clothes or clothes that can be reused.

Since 2009, CTT’s Santa Claus Solidarity initiative has been giving gifts to children up to 12 years of age, entrusted to various Social Solidarity Bodies. As part of this initiative, children write letters to Santa Claus, explaining (through texts, drawings or collages) the gifts they would like to receive.

Anyone who wants to participate simply has to choose a card, purchase the gift and deliver it to the nearest CTT store. The cards will be online from 18 November 2022 to 6 January 2023.

Through the Donated Goods Bank, the IPSS Entreajuda (Private Institution of Social Solidarity) receives all non-food products of social utility, new or in good condition. It then delivers them to solidarity institutions and, through these, to people with proven needs.

Visit to the Christmas markets

You can’t let the Christmas holidays end without visiting a Christmas market! There is something for all genres and tastes. To purchase nativity scene decorations or Christmas-related items; products gourmetnational and international; creative and/or traditional handmade items; etc.

Traditional markets are a fun and perfect Christmas activity to do outdoors on a sunny December morning.

Take the opportunity to complete your Christmas decoration with all the most original solutions.

During these Christmas holidays, don’t miss a movie session at home

Enjoying the Christmas holidays doesn’t mean having to leave the house all the time! Why not organize a Christmas movie night for the whole family, complete with blankets and hot chocolate?

If you’re unfortunate enough to lose power while getting ready to make that fabulous creamy hot chocolate and turn on the television, don’t worry. With the contribution of Casa Seguro by Generali Tranquilidade You can call a professional to your home to carry out the necessary electrical repairs.

Cinematic platforms streaming The most popular ones tend to include Christmas films suitable for children in their catalogues. Arrange the living room with blankets and pillows, prepare a cup of hot chocolate and… action!

Don’t miss the life-size nativity scenes

Setting up a nativity scene at home is, without a doubt, a fun Christmas activity for the family. What if this year you took the opportunity to visit a life-size nativity scene?

From more traditional initiatives to more artistic ones, there is no doubt that it is a different program. The living nativity scene in Priscos (Braga), for example, is the largest in Europe. The Vila Real de Santo António nativity scene is not life-size, but has more than 5000 pieces.

Creative ideas for Christmas holidays at home

Although there are many Christmas projects to do outside the home, it is not always necessary to expose yourself to the cold and crowds typical of the season. During the Christmas holidays, organize various activities for children at home.

• Prepare a Christmas card 3.0. Gone are the days of Christmas cards, always the same, that you sent to your family. Opt for something more modern, like a video of the whole family wishing you happy holidays. Of course, choose a Christmas decoration that matches the message!
• Create your own decorations with Christmas crafts for children. If your children are still young, encourage them to draw a picture to hang on the Christmas tree. You can also give free rein to your creativity and innovate with little in the decoration of the tree glittersilk ribbons and transparent glue. Check out these original ideas for Christmas decorations!
• Prepare the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve menu with the help of the little ones. Discover these healthy Christmas dinner recipes that will delight your guests.
• Prepare a snack for Santa Claus and the Three Kings. Remind your children that «their Majesties» will have to recharge with a glass of milk, some biscuits or a Christmas sweet. Don’t forget the camels, cows, donkeys and sheep: leave a bowl of water to quench the animals’ thirst.
• Look at the toy brochures as a whole family. Your kids will definitely love this Christmas activity! You can take this opportunity to write a letter with the gifts that enchanted them the most. Then «put the shoe in the fireplace» and wait for the visit of Santa Claus.

And, since we are talking about activities that involve the little ones, know that individual accident insurance by Generali Tranquilidade offers an option for children and young people up to 24 years old which can cover the costs of injury treatment, school support, pediatric consultancy, babysitter and transportation to school or extracurricular activities if parents are ill.