December is loud, and most of it happens in a crowd or in a rush between handoffs. Pick one Christmas thing that's only theirs, put it on a weekend before they fill up, and give it your whole attention. They're sorted by age, from a lights drive in pajamas at three to a shopping trip at twelve.
A gingerbread house kit Everything in one box, so it's an afternoon and not a project. Find one
Cookie cutters and sprinkles Their cookies, their sprinkles, your oven. Find one
A thermos their size For hot chocolate on the lights drive. Find one
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Christmas movies, by age
Under 6
Short ones. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the 1966 cartoon) and A Charlie Brown Christmas both run under half an hour, which is about right for a first one.
6 to 8
Elf, Arthur Christmas or The Polar Express. The train in The Polar Express has a few loud, dark stretches, so sit close the first time.
9 to 11
Home Alone. The traps are the whole fun, and it's better the first time with someone who can't stop laughing either.
12 and up
A Christmas Story. Or Gremlins, which is set at Christmas and rougher than the PG on the box suggests.
Christmas is one day, but the weekends before it fill up fast. Tap Plan it on any idea to put it on your calendar. And for the days that get away from you, Halftime is a free web app: answer four quick questions and get one plan for the rest of your day, for work, home or the kids. No account.