WITH magical December 25 rapidly approaching, and the little ones getting evermore restless, canny parents could really do with a trick or two up their sleeves to help keep their tiny terrors out of mischief—<$>

T<$z9.8b$>HE kids might look like little angels in the school Nativity play but keeping the mercurial little mites occupied over the Christmas period would test the patience of Saint Nicholas himself!And with our TV screens awash with images of Christmas, snow and Santa from the moment their buckets and spades are packed away after the summer holidays, it's hardly surprising the little ones are restless by the time the festive season actually arrives.

But by keeping them well and truly occupied, you can guarantee that their Yuletide experience this year is bound to be a boredom and worrisome-free zone!

Getting the kids out of the house is a sure-fire way to keep them out of trouble.

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a good old sing-a-long around the tree, so wrap the kids up nice and warm, and take them along to a local carol service to really get them into the festive spirit.

If your Christmas preparations mean it's impossible to leave the house but you don't want to be seen as a despot, there are plenty of indoor activities that can keep the kids amused.

Making their own Advent calendars is a task that will keep them busy for hours and will be appreciated every single day in the run up to Christmas.

All you need is some coloured card, paint, glue, glitter and a little imagination.

And while the kids are in a crafty mood — why not help them make their own Christmas cards to send to friends and relatives?

Let their imagination run wild with a free rein of card and paint, or buy them a pre-prepared card-making kit and let them follow the instructions.

To make your life less worrisome, turn your offspring into Santa's little helpers by giving them small jobs to do that will lighten your load.

Take them with you to choose a tree and let them help you put up the decorations. Keep them interested by letting them make some decorations of their own for their bedrooms — they will be so proud of their very own Santa's Grotto, they are guaranteed to keep it tidy until twelfth night.

And let them help you with your Christmas baking. Getting them to stir the mixture or weigh out the ingredients will keep them busy and give them a sense of achievement when the cake is passed round on Christmas Day.

A run-up to Christmas this busy means it will pass by in a flash.

And before you know it, you will be digging out the bucket and spade again and dreaming up a whole new set of activities for the summer holidays.