Tips for Surving a Santa Clause Parade

Here Comes Santa Clause!

My family loves the Santa Clause parade and each year we go to 2 of them. The first one is actually a Santa Day, filled with sitting on Santa's knee, decorating gingerbread cookies, going on hay rides, pony rides, drinking hot chocolate, and lets not forget of course the parade!

The second one we attend is a much smaller parade, and after we all go to a legion sing Christmas songs, and the kids each get to sit on Santa's knee for pictures and get a present.

Both of these days are so much fun, and very exciting for our families. But if your not careful and ready the fun can turn into chaos very quickly. I have learned a lot over the years and have decided to share it with you all!


Dealing with  long Days - Santa Activity and Parade

• There will be lots of walking, so bring strollers if your child still uses one. Plan a place to go and sit for awhile, preferably inside. The little recharge can do wonders for the kids, and you to!
• Don't leave too early, this will cause lots of waiting around and boredom and that's when the kids start complaining.
• Take a snack, and drinks nobody is happy when they are hungry or thirsty.
• Bring your fold able lawn chairs to sit on, after walking all day everyone will appreciate a seat. If you decide not to sit, you can always offer someone else a seat!
• Park at the beginning of the parade route, this way you can be first to see Santa and get to your car. This way you leave the way Santa came and not get too stuck in the crazy parade traffic.
•  Park your car closest to where you want to be then the parade finishes. Then stand close to your car to watch the parade. This way when you go to watch the parade you can go get things out of your car like, lawn chairs, hot chocolate, snacks and blankets.
• Bring a backpack to carry drinks, snacks, wallet and anything else you might need
• Bring lots of Kleenex, everyone's nose runs in the cold doesn't it?

Dealing with Cold weather

• Bring extra clothes, especially socks and mittens. Those always seem to be the first thing to get wet from the snow, and cold hands and feet will make anyone miserable.
• Blankets, you will be very thankful when you are sitting outside in the cold for a rest. They can also be used to sit on, if you are sitting on a cold bench.
• Bring a thermos of hot chocolate to will help keep you warm, plus it's delicious!
• Layer your clothes, it will help keep you warm and happy!
• If you happy a baby in a stroller, take a blanket and invest in a weather shield. It's amazing how much warmer it is without the wind.

Christmas time is so much fun and the Santa Clause Parade's are so exciting, by being prepared you will be able to make the most of the time you have with your family, and everyone will have a blast!