What do you mean, 'it's the wrong chimney?'

Wendy Shand runs Tots to Travel and knows all there is to know about travelling with children. So if you’re away this Christmas, whether in a glamorous holiday home (and if so, lucky you!) or staying with friends or family, we thought you’d be interested in her top tips on making sure it’s jingle bells all the way.

1. Involve your kids in the travel experience. Get out a map and show them where the family is going. Talk about how many miles you are travelling – just like Santa himself! Let your kids help pack their suitcases, and shop for gifts for family members with whom you’ll be holidaying.

2. Leave a note at home letting Santa know where you’ll be. If Santa will be unable to hop down a chimney, let the kids leave suggestions as to an alternative method for their delivery. And of course, don’t forget to leave out a little tipple and a mince pie (or perhaps a local equivalent!) at your destination. He’s sure to be hungry after the extra trip from your house!

3. Find online retailers that will deliver to your destination. Just remember to plan for how you’ll get them home again, particularly if you’re going to be flying. Perhaps try to keep a suitcase or fold-away bag empty, and keep everyone’s luggage to a minimum (at least you won’t usually need swimming gear at this time of year). Try to plan gifts that are small and lightweight.

4. If you can’t take all the gifts, talk about how children in Europe get theirs on Epiphany instead. Maybe Santa will accommodate your travel plans and leave smaller than normal packages, or perhaps leave some but with a note explaining that there are more surprises waiting at home.

5. Make much of creating the same ‘Christmassy’ atmosphere they’ve left behind. Most rental properties will provide a tree, decorations, etc for Christmas guests.

6. Take some CDs of Christmas songs and stories along for the journey to keep the festive spirit alive en route.

7. Check out the local Christmas markets or plan to visit a theme park that opens during the holiday season. Train rides, tours of lights, and visits to see Santa are some of the things you can expect to find no matter where you go on your Christmas holiday.

8. Pack a small bag of supplies for your tots to make decorations for your holiday home. Or pop to the local supermarket on arrival to stock up on the makings of batches of Christmas biscuits or mince pies (though you may need to pack a jar of mincemeat from home).

9. Before your trip, read about how children celebrate Christmas in other countries (Usborne’s Christmas Around the World, £4.99 is an excellent title to start with). You can perhaps introduce some new traditions during the holiday, to take home with you for future Christmases in the UK.

10. Enjoy the relaxation that being away from your home environment brings. No racing around visiting friends and family, no sale shopping, no “let’s use the time off to decorate the spare room”. Just chill out and enjoy time as a family!

If you’ve any other ideas, please leave them in the comments box, below. And HAPPY CHRISTMAS!