Christmas dinner, decorating the tree and exchanging presents are among the UK's best-loved festive traditions.

According to research* 73% of people revealed that traditions will be especially meaningful this year – with 26% planning to adopt more of them than ever before. Adding the ‘familiarity of traditions brings a sense of comfort, especially after such a challenging year’.

With only a few weeks left until Santa and his reindeer-powered sleigh are on their way, Colour Heroes would like to share some of our favourite projects capturing the spirit and magic of Christmas for families!

We wonder if any of these Christmas traditions are a favourite with you and your family? Perhaps we might inspire you to start a new Christmas ritual for you and your family!

1.Baking Festive Treats

Baking with children is a great way to keep them entertained and to make memories together. Our gingerbread recipe is a simple one for children to bake, decorate and enjoy as a treat for the whole family. This recipe is available on our website and free to download. Happy baking!

2. Magical Santa Express Train Ride

A magical Christmas steam train ride through the countryside and meeting Santa is a treasured memory for years to come, and a perfect way to spend the day and bring some festive cheer to all!

We created a fun-packed, railway-themed trail for Whistlestop Valley, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch heritage railway. We have created a series of seasonal activity booklets for the train operator LNER and a fun-packed trail, featuring West Somerset Railway’s popular mascot Brunel in his full Santa costume!

3. Decorating the Tree

Decorating the Christmas tree is an activity the whole family can enjoy and is often an event which takes part in early December. It’s guaranteed to bring the whole family together and bring in the Christmas spirit. Making your own Christmas decorations is a lovely activity for the whole family and makes your tree unique and personal.

We created a 3D Christmas bauble for Magic FM. Children can create their own Christmas bauble design and hang them on their Christmas tree at home or gift their bauble to a family member, or friend, to spread some Christmas cheer!

4. Visiting Stately Homes or Farm Parks

Throughout the festive season, many sites deck their halls and arrange Christmas events for families to enjoy. Whether it’s a festive, outdoor trail, a magical light show, meeting Santa and his reindeers or Christmas arts and crafts, there are plenty of activities on offer to fill your festive days.

We have created three beautiful winter trails for our customers at Castle Howard, Sudbury Hall and the Greensand Trust. All are hand-drawn, packed full of fun and engaging activities and designed to encourage children to go outdoors and explore the grounds and surrounding parkland, whatever the weather!

We have also created a beautiful hand-illustrated storybook for Brimham Rocks Adventure Farm which tells the story of Christmas on the farm. One of our favourite activities at Christmas is curling up by the fire with a good book and whiling away a few happy hours reading!

5. Nutcrackers

Nutcrackers originated in Germany and were given as a keepsake to bring good luck to a family and to protect their home. Nutcrackers make lovely decorations for the home at Christmas, as a window ornament or to hang on your tree. Our brand-new activity sheet Elf antics is illustrated with a nutcracker activity, perfect for keeping children entertained over the holidays. Our range of Christmas and winter activity sheets and packs can be purchased from our online shop prices start from only 10p each!

Happy Christmas and best wishes for the festive season,

from the team at Colour Heroes

*www.independent.co.uk/life-style/christmas/christmas-traditions-spending

Heroes’ Family Christmas Traditions