The Top 10 Things Parents Tell Their Kids To Keep The Magic Of Christmas Alive

Three quarters of parents tell white lies over the festive period to keep the magic of Christmas alive, according to research.

Researchers who polled 1,875 mums and dads of kids aged up to 11 found they'll go to great lengths to capture the imagination of their little ones over the festive period.

Commissioned by Thorntons to celebrate the launch of its new mischievous Cheeky Elf chocolate model, the research also found 30% of parents track Santa’s whereabouts using an app.

Ian Tweedale, marketing director of Thorntons, said "it’s lovely to find out the lengths mums and dads go to pass the love on and help their children embrace the festive period.

He added, "perhaps they remember how special Christmas was for them when they were little, and they want their kids to feel that way for as long as possible."

The research found mums and dads will tell eight white lies over the festive period in total. 86% feel it is important to keep the magic of Christmas alive for their children. Many rely on others to make sure this is in the case, 59% enlist their kid’s grandparents and 28% somewhat depend on their children’s auntie and uncle.

Many parents tell their kids that Santa visits various grottos around the world in the lead up to Christmas to meet children and find out what they want for Christmas, others will tell their kids that Santa has helpers who man the grottos and report back to Santa.

Lots of children are told that if they open their eyes when they hear Santa dropping off the presents he'll disappear.

If Santa can't get in through a Chimney he puts on his "silent shoes" and comes in through the front door.

If kids want to ensure they get the gifts they want at Christmas, they better be well behaved as naughty children get a lump of coal in their stocking for Christmas.

Some kids will never understand the pain and effort that goes in to wrapping present after present ahead of Christmas Eve, that's assuming mum and dad remembered to buy sellotape.

Four in ten parents have already posted their children's Christmas lists to the North Pole, where they tell their kids that Santa's workshop is located and the place where their presents are made.

Many parent ensure that their Children are in bed and asleep by midnight on Christmas Eve or Santa won't come.

Some families buck from the tradition of the North Pole and tell their kids that Santa lives in lapland, but perhaps Santa Claus simply does not have enough snow in Lapland for his kingdom.

Santa keeps lists of good and bad children to decide who gets presents on Christmas Eve. Lot's of parents will use a scout elf to keep an eye on their kids for Santa. A quarter of households are currently home to an Elf on the Shelf. Some will keep their kids in check by telling them their elf on the shelf is watching them, and ensuring Santa is kept full briefed on their behaviour.

The most common festive fib is that Santa's sleigh is driven by flying reindeer. Children in 40% of homes are likely to rise on Christmas morning to find a bite has been taken out of the reindeer's carrot as well as Santa's mince pie. A fifth will find Santa's and even reindeer footprints in the snow.

Other lengths they go to include installing hidden cameras to catch Father Christmas delivering presents and tucking into treats left out for him. One in 10 cheeky parents even tell their kids Santa prefers beer and chocolate to mince pies and milk.

Ian said, "we know the lengths parents go to at Christmas to make the occasion as special as it can be. Our new Cheeky Elf model celebrates all that is mischievous and fun about the festive season, much like those cheeky parents pulling off the perfect stunts to keep the magic of Christmas alive for as long as possible." He added, "we know it can be tricky to keep coming up with inventive ways to do this, so our Cheeky Elf Top Tips will give parents a helping hand this Christmas."

For handy tips and tricks to keep the magic of Christmas alive for your kids click here.