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One of our best Christmas experiences with our two girls were when we stayed at a farm cottage a couple of years ago. The farmer brought some 'hay' of some sort for the children to leave out for the reindeer and we did the usual carrots for the reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa thing too.

After the girls went to bed, my husband dutifully 'bit' each carrot so as it looked like the reindeer had been at them and I dropped a little of the hay (supposed to have come in on Santas' boots) on the floor in front of the pressies.

They were thrilled with all their pressies when they got up and amazed at the hay inside on the floor! (Mums a 'neat freak') When it got a little lighter they wanted to go and see whether the reindeer had eaten the carrots.

This is the 'best bit'......... When we ventured outside, there was reindeer poop! The farmer had sprinkled poop around outside in amongst the hay and carrots. The girls were amazed by this reindeer poop and it really made their Christmas. Of course we had to go through the whole 'poop' talk every time someone asked them if Santa brought them anything.

Know what? This year we're going to the same cottage again, we haven't been home for Christmas in a long while. This is possibly the last 'magical' year for the eldest so I hope 'Farmer John' is ready with the poop!

Yes we sprinkle 'reindeer food' on the front lawn to make it easier for the reindeer to find our house. It is oatmeal with glitter in it. We also do the footprint thing too. We made an outline of my dad's boots on cardboard, cut it out and then we sprinkle powder over it, a trail from the fireplace to the tree and back again.

The kids always put snacks out for Santa and his Reindeer and they always wake up to find a thank-you note left by Santa. It takes me forever to write that short note because I do it in a really fancy scrawl. I like a lot of the other ideas here and think I may use a few. :)

For tens of years ago, I was living in a students' house with a couple of other young families. We arranged a Christmas Celebration for our small children.

Tiny Christmas presents were transported under the window by my Labrador Retriever dog. I installed reindeer horns (made from twiggies) on her head (she was really a patient dog!) and put a small children's' sledge behind her. Children may then watch the real St.Claus' reindeer outside the window, in the darkening Northern Night...

You only need following:

- small children (who do not know the difference between a reindeer and a dog)

- a dog (I recommend Labrador Retriever - very patient one!)

- a sledge

- presents

- relatively dark night

- a room with window

Happy Xstmas!

My dad used to jingle bells outside our house on xmas eve after we went to bed so we would think it was santa. One year he got some red fuzzy fabric, like what a santa suit is made of, and stuck it between the doors of the fireplace. Inside the fireplace were some small gifts so it looked like santa got caught. Sounds like you are a great dad have a great holiday!

We live in Australia so we don't have a chimney and the children don't feel safe leaving the door unlocked for santa (sad isn't it!) so we purchased a cardboard oversized 'magical' key for santa to unlock the door. It had a space for a photo and we wrote a merry christmas message for Santa. With a little imagination, coloured card and glitter its a fun activity for the children to make their own.

I always say to my little girl would you like to leave any think out for Santa she always leaves a mince pie and a glass of milk with a note saying thank you for my gifts and I have been a good girl this year aww that does put a smile on my face just think about it lol

My mum used to wait to hear us get out of bed and sprinkle ice from the freezer near the tree and it fooled us for years! We really thought it was from the bottom of santas feet. I do it now for my kids.

I used to leave carrots out for Santa's reindeers, and after I'd gone to bed my mum would cut a piece out of each one with a scone cutter (y'know the type with the wavy edge..?) so that it looked like Rudolph et al had taken bites out of them and left teeth marks : )

I can't explain what happened to the mince pies and brandy!

On Christmas eve, my husband always give Father Christmas a quick call on his mobile when he puts the kids to bed so that they will overhear him telling him that they are in bed now and he can come over later when they are asleep.