Parents’ top tips to help excitable children get to sleep on Christmas Eve

Over half of parents reckon their little ones will struggle to fall asleep on Christmas Eve – but have some trick up their sleeves for getting them to nod off

More than half of parents reckon their child will struggle to fall asleep on Christmas Eve due to excitement about the big day – but have shared their top tips to get little ones to nod off faster.

Almost two in five mums and dads (38%) will keep their kids engaged in active play throughout the day on December 24th, to make sure they are worn out by bedtime.

And 21% tell their youngsters that Santa can’t come down the chimney until they are fast asleep, according to the poll of 2,000 parents, of 3-12-year-olds.

A third of parents will limit the sweet treats their kids have during the day, to avoid an evening sugar rush.

And to make sure their little ones are calm and relaxed for bed, 17% will read them a special Christmas story before tucking them in on Christmas Eve.

The study also revealed that a third of children were worried Santa wouldn’t be able to find them if they were staying away from home on Christmas Eve.

The research was commissioned by Premier Inn, which has created a special hotel key card and door hanger for Santa, to help kids rest easy and reassure them he can still visit if they are spending Christmas Eve away from home.

Santa’s sleigh will also have its own special reserved space right outside hotels with car parks on Christmas Eve.

A spokesman for the hotel chain said: “Our hotels don’t have chimneys, so some kids are, understandably, worried about how Santa will be able to visit them when they are away from home and staying in one of our hotel rooms.

“We’re happy to do all we can to reassure kids on the most important night of the year that nothing will get between them and their presents, including with our special Santa key.

“Being away for Christmas to see family and friends is exciting, but we know it’s so important to have those comforting Christmas Eve traditions and rituals wherever you are.

“Of course, like any of our guests from all over the world and every walk of life, we want Santa’s visit, however fleeting, to be as easy as possible, so we’ve put a few things in place for him too.”

The OnePoll research also found that, of those who sometimes spent the season somewhere else, 34% of kids don’t mind where they spend Christmas, while 39% actively like the idea of going away.

To reassure kids, 40% of parents will send Santa an amended delivery address, while a third will research local traditions if they’re going further afield.

Nearly a tenth (8%) will even bring a special sign wherever they’re going, to help Santa and his reindeer know where to touch down.

Premier Inn has worked with Gentle Baby & Child Sleep Consultant, Andrea Grace, to create some top tips for parents to help their kids drop off on the big night.

She said: “Even adults can remember the excitement of Christmas Eve – but as they get older, and as a parent, the Christmas sleep schedule can be a stressful experience.

“It’s important to try and put yourself in your child’s shoes on December the 24th and keep the magic alive, while making sure everyone gets enough rest to enjoy Christmas day.

“Ensuring your kids go to bed at a reasonable time is challenging, even without the excitement of waking up to gifts the next day.

“Instead of getting annoyed or threatening Santa won’t visit, try creating a calm atmosphere, reassuring them sleep will come eventually, so they can relax.

“If they’re still struggling to sleep, you can read them a book or make them a warm drink to help them nod off naturally.

“For many kids, it’s the single most exciting night of the year, and it’s no wonder they have trouble dropping off.

“Planning ahead to ensure you’re equipped to help your little one’s sleep is essential for a peaceful night.

“Staying away from sugary food, getting enough exposure to daylight, and sticking to routine, all play a key part in making sure everyone gets enough shut-eye before the big day.

“And don’t forget to go to bed early yourself, as Christmas Day will be a very busy one for you.”

SLEEP EXPERT ANDREA GRACE’S TOP TIPS TO HELP KIDS GO TO SLEEP ON CHRISTMAS EVE:

1. If you are going to be away from home, take a familiar sleep-related object from your home, such as a special blanket or toy, so that they feel a sense of security and familiarity.
2. Exposure to daylight will help set your child’s body clock to sleep at night. Try to go for a walk or encourage play outside on Christmas Eve.
3. Have your child’s bedroom as dark as possible.
4. A warm drink at bedtime can help children settle. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid which helps sleep. Other tryptophan-rich foods are cheese, tuna, turkey, and bananas.
5. Avoid sweets and fizzy drinks, as sugar in their system can cause children problems when getting off to sleep, and can keep them in lighter sleep during the night.
6. Turn off all screens at least half an hour before bedtime, as screen exposure is not good for sleep.
7. Have a few minutes of precious “golden time” time, spent cuddling/reading or chatting about Christmas Day together, before starting a bedtime routine.
8. Don’t rush your child to bed too early on Christmas Eve – especially if they have been travelling during the day and have slept during the journey.
9. Equally, don’t let your child become over-tired. This can raise their cortisol levels, making sleep difficult, and leading to very early morning waking.
10. Follow your usual bedtime routine, with the same clear and recognisable series of steps leading up to bedtime. Start the routine about half an hour before you feel your child is ready to sleep, rather than having a time that is set in stone.
11. A warm bath is thought to promote production of melatonin, a sleep hormone, and is a great sleep cue.
12. Some deep stretches in your child’s bedtime routine, ideally after their bath, will support their sensory needs, and help them to calm down when over-excited.
13. Finish the bedtime routine with a Christmas storybook. This will help make for a calm and special atmosphere.
14. Don’t let them take a screen device to bed with them for distraction. It will only keep them awake for longer.
15. Ask older children to close their eyes and make a list in their head of 10 Christmas items. Light meditation exercise will move their focus away from trying to sleep.
16. For younger children, you could leave a gentle audio Christmas story playing for them to listen as they drift off. This may need to remain playing at a low volume on a loop all night, so they don’t feel there’s something missing when they naturally wake up.