December is here and that can only mean one thing: Christmas! Here the Citizen Enfants team share all the festive fun they are planning with their children this month.
Christmas is a magical time for little ones – and for parents. Including seasonal days out, festive shows, cosy kit, stylish present ideas, and even personalised messages from Santa, this is all the inspiration you’ll need for a joyous December with your children.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
BOOK I’ve just discovered The Well Walk Theatre in Hampstead Heath; it’s a puppet theatre, café and bookshop that is so pretty and quaint. I’ve booked their Christmas show Petit Pierre and will make sure I’m in the loop on upcoming performances throughout the year. SEE As always, I love booking theatre shows for my kids. Coming up we have Father Christmas Needs A Wee!, Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out and Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book. Armed with plenty of snacks, my kids are (more often than not) engrossed. TRAVEL WITH I’ve just signed up to Lovevery Play Kits which are proving to be wildly entertaining, given we have lots of Christmas holiday time to fill. USE I’m using the Calm app daily now. With such a hectic schedule and my body (probably already) re-preparing for sleepless nights with a new baby on the way, I use it every night to unwind and fall asleep. I (think) I’m knocked out within the first 10 minutes of the meditation. BUY I’m investing in a pair of Ilouity flare jeans for my growing bump.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
VISIT We are ending December in Cape Town and one of the things on my to-do list is a sunset concert at Kirstenbosch Gardens. You bring a picnic and enjoy jazz music in the most beautiful setting. A whale-watching trip is also on the agenda, which I am sure will be so exciting for all the family. ENJOY A personalised video message from Santa himself! All you have to do is visit the Elfi website, enter a few details and they will do the rest. It’s such a special treat for kids as they wait for him to arrive on Christmas Eve. READ My boys all loved the Harry Potter novels so I’m getting my youngest the new Christmas at Hogwarts, a beautifully illustrated gift book that has text from The Philosopher’s Stone. WATCH There are so many great family movies out right now; I can’t wait to see Wicked and Mufasa: The Lion King. SEE Oliver! The Musical opens in London’s West End this month and I’m taking my boys, my niece and my nephews to see it. We will also pop into the Fortnum’s ice-cream parlour for a festive treat. WEAR My boys all have upcoming school carol services which I absolutely love attending – but churches can be a little chilly at this time of year. I’ll be wrapping up in my cosy James Coat from Sézane. BUY I love a crossbody bag to sling on when I’m running around town, so I decided to treat myself to this Gucci version – an early Christmas present to myself. LISTEN To the Stylist’s new Mother Lovers Club podcast. It’s a funny, honest chat about motherhood and how we juggle work, parenting and everything else in between. Well worth tuning in to.
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Ella Alexander, Contributing Fashion Editor
BUY I stumbled upon a gorgeous childrenswear brand at a Christmas market last week. It’s called Play Cotton and offers super sweet, colourful clothes with personality. I love the leopard jackets and wide-leg jeans, and ended up buying a few gifts for my son and my friends’ children. The label doesn’t have a website yet, but you can get in touch via Instagram and keep an eye on the account for her various London market appearances in the build-up to Christmas. DO My toddler is big into transport of all kinds, so we’re taking him to The Transport Museum in Covent Garden, where a vintage London bus has been transformed into a sleigh – adorned with bells and buttons. There’s an elf trail too, where my son can practice his newfound love of walking. VISIT I’ll be continuing a tradition with my 10-year-old god-daughter; we go to the Harrods toy department and choose her a Christmas gift. Afterwards, we buy hot chocolate and sweets in the food hall. The atmosphere is hectic, but so festive! ATTEND Nothing feels more Christmassy to me than a carol service, so we’ll be making a pitstop at our local church, St Paul’s in Herne Hill, for a nativity service on 8 December.
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Lucy Halfhead, Lifestyle Partnerships Director
BOOK Christmas At Kew is one of our annual traditions; the dazzling light show is a joy for grown-ups and the ultimate baby sensory experience too. WEAR I love this festive frock for little ones from John Lewis, embroidered with Christmas symbols like holly, snowflakes and a robin. DRINK With countless cards to write and presents to wrap, I’m arming myself with a bottle of Harlie Brown x Bathtub Gin, wrapped in beautiful hand-drawn illustrations of the botanicals inside. VISIT There’s lots for kids to see and do at the Museum of the Home, including a playroom and sensory den, plus trails to follow. BUY This adorable play kitchen from Little Dutch in Mint, complete with mini pans and cooking utensils makes a great gift for an inquisitive toddler. EAT We’ll be having a go at constructing this tasty gingerbread house from Biscuiteers.
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Rachel Story, Style and Commerce Director
SHOP For Forest School and outdoor pursuits – or if you’re lucky enough to be heading to the Alps this month – a Töastie Kids snowsuit is a winter-weather essential. Made from sustainably sourced materials and ethical manufacturing processes, the eco-filled down will keep your little-one warm and machine-washes like a dream. BUY I’m dreaming of winter sun and our next family adventure. My son turned two last month, which means his very own seat on the plane and, with that in mind, I’ve been looking for a kid-friendly suitcase that will fit all of his holiday essentials. I recently discovered Farans – a sustainable luggage brand that has something for all the family, including these fun printed carry-ons for little jet-setters. DRINK In a bid to avoid the seemingly never-ending supply of winter viruses that my little one is bringing back from nursery, I’m adding WelleCo’s The Super Elixir powder into my morning smoothie for an extra dose of greens. Packed with minerals, vitamins, probiotics and more, it’s a quick way to support gut health, immunity and boost energy levels. WATCH I’m booking tickets to take my nieces to see Disney On Ice and can’t wait to see their faces as Mickey Mouse and friends perform tricks and glide around the rink. With new guests including Mirabel and the stars of Encanto taking to the ice for the first time, Disney on Ice is celebrating 100 Years of Wonder, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. GO Battersea Power Station is magical at Christmas. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s lights, which feature a festive scene of Wallace and Gromit projected onto the Power Station’s iconic 109-metre-high chimneys. I’ll also be enjoying some Christmas shopping as well as fun activities for my little one – including meeting Santa and his very first ice-skating experience (with the support of their cute penguin skate aids!).
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Alexandra Carello, PR Director
WEAR We are wearing our beautiful coats from La Coqueta non-stop. The brand makes such beautiful clothes for children – timeless, classic, and well worth the investment. DO ‘Plogging’ – a hybrid of picking up rubbish and jogging, apparently originating in Sweden. It’s such a great initiative, my daughters take part in school, and we continue it in the park. My kids love this pink litter grabber. I’m so pleased to see them taking such a considerate approach to the environment at such a young age. PLAY We’ve been spending a lot of time at Jesse’s House, my children love it there. The newest outpost in Fulham (from the team behind Jaego’s House) is a wonderful private members’ club for families. It’s a really cool place to hang out with little ones – and they are currently accepting new members. JUMP Oxygen London, an indoor trampoline park, is so much fun – and great exercise. A great afternoon activity on a rainy day, it’s a brilliant way for kids to burn off some energy. INTERIORS I’m looking for cute lamps for the girls’ bedroom and I love these from The Baby Cot Shop.
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