Life as a SEN mum

When I first started this a few years ago, I thought it would be brilliant, I think I underestimated what I’d let myself in for.

But seen as the kids have been asking when the elves are arriving since 1st November I don’t think I’m going to get away with leaving them in the back if the cupboard.

For anyone else dreading it and wishing we could go back to 2020 and put them in quarantine for a few weeks I’ve put together a few ideas that we’ve used as well as a little planner so you can plan and make sure you’re not waking up at 3am in a panic when you’ve forgotten to move them.

The easiest way to start is to plan out some simple ideas for each day. Start with arrival and the long awaited departure. Then work out if there are any special days in between, do you have any birthdays? Or maybe a day out planned, and work these into your elves antics.

Arrival

Arrival I keep the same every year (although I’ve got one thing to add this year). Simple arrival through an elf door with snowy footprints, advent calendars and a yummy breakfast. It really can be as simple as you like, kids are just happy to see the elves. The rest of it really is just for us to have amazing photos.

Departure

Again this can be kept really simple, a note from Santa, and if you do Christmas Eve boxes then have them deliver the Christmas Eve box.

Xmas Jumper Day

Whether it’s raising money for charity, last day of school, or a family get together I’m sure most of us will be taking part in Christmas Jumper day in one way or another. I picked these up from Poundland a few years ago, but they’re readily available in most shops that sell anything elf related. They can be used every year, add a message to a white board or chalk board and you’re good to go.

Look for props

Once you’ve planned couple of days have a look around the house for anything that can be used as props. It could literally be anything, food, toiletries, craft supplies, board games, you name it there’s probably a way of using it to create something which is easy to set up and doesn’t cost anything.

An excuse to get out the pencils and have a go at a colouring book. I’m sure we’ve all got more colouring books than anyone actually needs, so why not let the elves relax a little and do some colouring of their own.

How about a game of hide and seek? All you need is a couple of hiding places around the house, if you wanted to go a little extra write out some clues to help the kids find where the elves are hiding.

Kids toys can come in really useful as props. If you’ve got young kids you’ve probably got plenty of larger toys that are already perfectly positioned for the elves to have a go once the kids are in bed.

Why not have a games night, you could even invite some of your kids toys along to get involved.

Having come from the North Pole it’s probably wise to keep them away from wrapping paper and presents, you never know what they might get up to.

”Oh I do like to be beside the seaside”… Kinetic sand is really easy to tidy up so you can all enjoy building sandcastles without the sand getting everywhere.

Fancy a spa day? All you need is a large bowl/container/ or even a pie dish, and lots of cotton wool balls.

If you want to go down a food/drink route how about keeping it simple and raiding the biscuit barrel or stealing chocolate from advent calendars. A marshmallow avalanche is so simple but very effective. Or why not raid the cupboards and see if you can create a breakfast even Buddy would approve of?

Ideas if you’ve got more time

It might just be me, but I think it’s nice to have a couple of ideas (probably on a weekend) when you do something a little more creative. It still doesn’t have to be complicated, but kids and adults alike will love it.

What I was actually thinking when I decided to have a go at balloon modelling I’m not sure. But the amazement on the kids faces the next morning was well worth it.

It’s amazing what you can do with some string and a few other bits you’ve probably got lying around, whether your elves are thinking of running away to the circus or trying something a little more “Mission Impossible” everyone is sure to be impressed.

This one did take a while as I stitched the sacks myself, but there are plenty other ways you could do this one and keep it simple.

Anyone else seem to find their elves in the tree? The elf tree house I think went down better with their dad than the kids, but James absolutely loved Mission Control, even if he wasn’t happy they’d crash landed in the tree.

If all else fails…

Give the elves a sick day. Because however much planning we do, with all the chaos we do occassionally forget.