To keep little fingers from touching, and possibly breaking, your favorite Christmas tree or home decorations, put them in places where toddlers and preschoolers can't reach them. If older children are rough-housing in the living room, suggest they either play a quiet activity or, better yet, continue their play in the backyard. Change the activity. Children frequently misbehave to gain their parents attention. If you've been absorbed in buying gifts, preparing food and going to parties, you may want to rearrange your schedule and spend more time with your children.
Children love to help decorate gifts and bake cookies.
The end result may not be perfect, but spending time together in fun activities may eliminate misbehavior and punishment. Prepare for possible difficulty. If part of the holidays involves long trips to the homes of relatives, think of various car games the family can play, such as looking for license plates from different states. If you must take young children with you while you shop for the holidays, keep the shopping trip short, and stop shopping when either you or your children become tired. Provide reassuring routines.