> My friend uses a template of a boot to sprinkle flour over to leave "snowy footprints" her kids love it and its easy to hoover up.
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> I remember having to leave the water for the reindeers and a carrot for each of them. they were a messy lot though, they always left behind puddles on the kitchen floor and chunks from the carrot :-o I never worried about father Christmas having anything!!
We never had a chimney in our old house so we used to leave everything outside on a little red tray. A glass of milk for Rudolph (not think they have thought about how he was going to drink it!!) a carrot, a little tot for Father Christmas with a mincepie and a piece of cheese...... dont ask because I dont know why we leave cheese out!! I think we made the mistake of asking the children what they wanted to leave out they didnt want anyone to go hungry!! Cant be hungry though because they never manage to finish any of it!! ;-)
Also just before their bedtime the children will go outside in their PJ's (and dressing gowns etc of course!!) and sprinkle reindeer dust (again started because the children were worried the reindeer wouldnt know where to go!) all along the pavements and down our pathway finishing right by the little tray. Most of FC's gifts are left in the front room but he always leave a small gift (usually a box of maltessers!) on their beds and whilst he is doing this, his reindeer are shaking their bells outside the window!! ;-) :-D
My children, practically 10, 10, 8 and 5 still believe. The twins have never questioned it although I do think they are starting to get a little suss but havent said but then again we have never come outright and said anything either. They are only children for such a short space of time (I was told when I wasnt quite 6 by older children at school).