In these manic few weeks before Christmas, lots of you probably need some peace – we can help. It can be hard to keep our little ones going, especially if mum or dad is deployed. We have lots of Christmas Smiles activities to help and Crafty Little Trooper projects to keep little fingers busy.

Louise, founder of our charity said, “The lead up to Christmas with little ones is always hectic. It can be really tough for parents to find the extra energy needed when the children are so excited. Lots of our activities are designed to keep children occupied, so parents can get some little jobs done.”

Christmas Smiles

Through our Christmas Smiles campaign, we like to deliver festive fun to as many military children as we can. We have some brilliant give-aways, Christmas boxes and an online workshop with a cheeky Elf to look forward too.

Christmas boxes

We worked tirelessly to secure funding and create 2,500 Christmas Smiles boxes for military children experiencing deployment this Christmas.

All these boxes have now been distributed. We have some remaining so we’d like to spread the Christmas sparkle to any military child*. You do not have to be experiencing deployment over Christmas to apply for one of these boxes.

Boxes include various Little Troopers resources for you to utilise, as well as lots of lovely festive treats to bring Christmas Smiles. You can apply for a Christmas Smiles box here, applications will close on the 13^thDecember 2024.

* Please note that we can only allocate one box per family (not per child) and we can only post to addresses in the UK.

Elf Workshop

Next weekend we would love to see lots of little troopers meet ‘Elvin’ the spritely elf, who is eager to spread some festive cheer! On 14^th December, Elvin will be taking some well-earned time away from the North Pole to meet your little ones. There will be singing, dancing, playing games and exploring Christmas traditions! You can register for the workshop here.

Paddington at the Odeon

On the 21st December we’re hosting free, exclusive cinema screenings of Paddington in Peru. The screenings will take place at ODEON cinemas in Andover, Chatham, Leeds, Hereford and Port Solent. There are spaces still available in Leeds and Chatham and you can join a waiting list for the others, just click here.

Keeping your little ones busy at home

With just 19 days to go, the excitement for Christmas is building. To help save some money this year why not have a look at Crafty Little Troopers and get crafting. We’ve lots of Christmas craft ideas that can keep the children busy, while you get 5 minutes peace! 

There are activity sheets for making biscuits, salt dough decorations, Christmas cards, Christmas eve sacks and even eco-friendly wrapping paper.

Our little crafter Cyrus made some gorgeous wrapping paper. With some help, he cut a star out of a potato and used it to make prints on the paper. You can cut any shapes and use any paint; you just need some blank paper. He said, “It was fun making my own paper. I used it to wrap up Mummy and Daddy’s present.”

Also keeping the environment in mind, our Christmas eve sack is great way of recycling an old pillowcase. The wrapping paper can also be recycled if you can keep the design glitter free.”

Louise adds, “I truly hope that some of our activities can bring smiles to your home and give mum and dad time to grab a cuppa.”