Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

So the introductory lines to the popular Christmas poem go! But as anyone who is a parent knows, things are not always quite so quiet and calm the night before the Big Day!

Christmas Eve is a magical time, the very peak of all the mounting excitement that has been building up through December and Advent. But all that Christmas excitement can make it very difficult for children to get to sleep. So here are five ways to make sure that the night before Christmas in your house is less Ding, Dong Merrily on High, and much more Silent Night...

1.      Make sure they are tired on Christmas Eve

When the weather outside is frightful, our natural inclination is often to get comfy on the sofa, crack open the Quality Street and watch a film or three. This is a wonderful way to spend Christmas with your family but to increase your chances of a peaceful night, it can be very beneficial to move everyone off the couch and into the great outdoors at some point during the daylight hours.

A multitude of studies has shown that being active outside in the daytime is connected with enhanced slow-wave deep sleep at night time. 

Even getting out for just a short walk around the block or a quick run about at the play park will help to boost the body's levels of melatonin - the 'sleep' hormone that is directly linked with the body's circadian rhythms and regulation of sleep patterns. It also gives excited children the opportunity to burn off some of that boundless energy in preparation for a peaceful evening. 

2.      Winding down rather than winding up

It can be tempting to try and cram all sorts of fun and festivities into Christmas as we aim to create the picture-perfect Christmas and make special memories for our families. But trying to fit too much in can lead to over-stimulation in children, leaving them cranky and emotional.

Keep things simple and don't try to shoe-horn too much into the day, bearing in mind that Christmas Day itself is often a whirlwind of excitement and activity. As the sun sets on December 24th, keep things calm. A warm bath, lots of cuddles and a gentle film or story before preparing for Santa's visit will signal to your child that bedtime is approaching and help them feel ready for sleep. 

3.      Stick to routines and rituals on Christmas Eve

Christmas night only comes once a year and it is a joy to celebrate and share that with our children. However, disruption of the established routines and rituals that usually occur before bedtime can be unsettling for kids and make it harder for them to fall asleep. Try to keep the key elements of your child's bedtime routine in place as these sleep cues will signal to your child that it is time to settle down and prepare for night-time.

As counter-intuitive as it is, keeping your child up later will not necessarily make them more likely to fall asleep and it may actually make them over-tired and fraught, delaying sleep time. As much as possible, keeping to their regular bedtime will mean that their internal body clock is primed to be ready for sleep.

4.      Make bedtime inviting

A cosy room and a comfortable bed will ensure that bedtime is a welcoming prospect for your child. Here at Children's Bed Shop, we have an extensive range of beds, from practical toddler beds to multi-functional cabin beds, so it is easy to create the perfect kid's bedroom for your child.

A bed furnished with soft blankets and themed bedding will entice even the most excitable child to lay down their weary heads as we all know that Santa can only come and bring presents when boys and girls are asleep! 

5.      Christmas Eve is for you too

It's the most wonderful time of the year - but it can also be a busy, hectic time for parents and the Eve is often the calm before the storm as Christmas Day kicks into action! Ensuring that children get a good night's sleep is as important for parents as it is for children as everyone gets ready for the fun ahead.

Be sure then to make time for yourself, even if it just a moment to breathe, drink something comforting, and truly take in the joy of the season, knowing that the kids are tucked up for the night - before they are up again at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning!