It’s official – Christmas is more fun if you have children, it emerged yesterday.
A study found nine out of ten parents find December 25th far more exciting now than they did before they added to their family.
A lack of belief in Father Christmas during teenage years and endless Christmases being forced to spend time with older relatives puts a dampener on festive periods whilst growing up, research revealed.
And a feeling Christmas is 'just a bit of time off work' during our 20s also means we don't enjoy Christmas as much as we perhaps could.
But when the kids are born, things get better as parents become enthused by their children’s reaction to the events of the day.
As many as two thirds of parents claim nothing compares to seeing their little one’s faces light up when they realise Father Christmas HAS been.
A spokesman for leading toy company Mega Bloks, which commissioned the poll of 3,000 parents, said: “As you get into the teenage years, and early twenties, Christmas becomes more about the parties, getting dressed up and going out with friends, so it stands to reason that while this is enjoyable it isn’t that different from the rest of the year.
“Children bring something new and special to Christmas, suddenly you’re experiencing it through their eyes and it becomes more important than ever to make sure the day is the best ever.”
The survey showed new parents love the fact that going to visit Santa suddenly became 'cool' again.
One third of people say having their own children brought back good childhood memories of Christmas, while a fifth like the idea of teaching their kids about the importance of family.
Fourteen per cent of cunning mums and dads love the fact they can bribe their children with good behaviour – or Santa won’t come – for months in advance of the big day.
And 12 per cent thoroughly enjoy eating the mince pies and brandy left out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
A fifth of Brits love the fact they have a free license to spend loads more money in the lead up to Christmas on gifts for the children, and the same percentage relish the fact they can open more presents because they have to help the little ones.
Sharing the children’s joy, getting more visitors, snuggling up on the sofa watching family movies and being in charge of all the plans on Christmas Day are just some of the other reasons why parents love Christmas more than anyone else.
By contrast, prior to having children, the average person stopped finding Christmas exciting by the age of 14 and three quarters.
Seventeen per cent said their enthusiasm for the day wore off when they realised they weren’t getting a stocking anymore, while 14 per cent began to resent socialising with family members they didn’t see the rest of the year.
One in 10 people said 25th December didn’t feel any different to any other day while 12 per cent became fed up not knowing what to buy for friends and family.
The Mega Bloks spokesman continues: “There is so much to enjoy with children at Christmas, they really are the focal point of the whole day.
“And it’s not just about opening the presents – it’s playing with the children, having quality time together, the feeling of making everyone happy and so on.
“Young children bring an innocence to Christmas which disappears over time, which is why parents should make time to savour every moment.”
The survey shows three quarters of parents say having Christmas with the children brings out their more playful side.
And 71 per cent of mums and dads understandably spend more on their children than on any other member of the family – but 48 per cent admit to choosing presents and toys THEY will enjoy playing with.
TOP 10 REASONS CHRISTMAS IS BETTER WITH KIDS
- Seeing their little faces light up when they realise Father Christmas has been
- You get to share their joy
- Reminds you of your childhood
- Get wrapped up in the magic of Christmas
- Visiting Santa suddenly becomes cool again
- Christmas becomes more family orientated
- You can visit Santa’s grotto without feeling like a big kid
- You can play along with the whole ruse of Father Christmas
- You want to teach your own children about the importance of family
- You get a free license to spend loads of money
TOP 10 REASONS YOUNG ADULTS DISLIKE CHRISTMAS
- Don’t believe in Father Christmas any more
- Start going out on Christmas Eve and always have a hangover
- Get bored of the same old routine
- Stop receiving a Christmas stocking
- Resent having to socialise with family members
- Don’t know what to buy anyone
- Being skint in January
- Don’t feel that Christmas Day is like any other
- Don’t like the fact everyone pretends to get along
- Weren’t allowed to watch any television
