The family way

By Lisa Salmon.

Thoughts of Christmas don't exactly conjure up images of exercising, watching what you eat and looking after the family's health.

For most families, the image is more of sitting in front of the TV scoffing, and banishing any thoughts about a healthy lifestyle until the new year.

But health experts stress that just a few small changes to this 'let it all go for Christmas' mentality could have a big impact on family health - and that doesn't mean eating a salad for Christmas dinner and going for a family run instead of watching TV.

MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do it!), which runs healthy family lifestyle programmes, has produced a series of tips to help families keep active over the festive season, and avoid putting on at least some of the average 5lbs that Britons gain over the four-week Christmas period.

Jenny Rosborough, senior programme developer and trainer at MEND, says: "It can be really hard to stay healthy around Christmas, because there are lots of unhealthy triggers around, and you get into a routine of watching TV, eating chocolate etc.

"We want to encourage families to get up and get active, and eat in a healthy way as well.

"Only small changes need to be made to make a big difference, and families will be a lot healthier going into the new year."

As far as eating's concerned, MEND advises moderation rather than abstinence from 'naughty' treats.

"We definitely don't forbid any treats - we want families to enjoy food over Christmas, but only eat the unhealthy foods in moderation," says Rosborough.

This means making sure Christmas dinner isn't too big, and includes plenty of vegetables, and not eating the skin off the turkey.

In addition, keep healthy snacks such as unsalted nuts, low-fat dips and vegetable sticks on offer, so children and adults aren't reaching for selection box treats all the time.

To keep active, parents might start by buying a few activity-based presents, such as skipping ropes, footballs or bikes, suggests Rosborough.

In addition MEND has produced a few family Christmas activity tips, and Rosborough stresses: "The tips are all about playing and having fun with the whole family. The point is that eating in a healthier way and keeping active will give the family the energy they need to make the most of the Christmas period."

The tips include: :: Take part in an indoor treasure hunt - hide some healthy Christmas treats or even the kids' stockings around the house and garden with clues where to find them.

:: Play Santa's Skittles, by using empty plastic bottles as skittles and a ball made from leftover wrapping paper to knock them over.

:: Play Active Pass the Christmas Parcel, by standing up as the parcel's passed round, and doing star jumps if you're lucky enough to get the parcel.

:: Take the kids carol singing around your neighbourhood. Even if you only visit a couple of houses, they'll still have a good walk.

:: Play Christmas Karaoke where the family has to dance as well as sing.

:: Take a family walk, and try telling and acting out stories or reading out cracker jokes as you walk.

Instead of just visiting the local woods or park on a family walk, go for something a little more adventurous and head to a local National Trust property.

Santa himself is visiting many of the properties before Christmas, and various Christmas events have been organised throughout the country in the houses and gardens, including Christmas markets and storytelling, carol singing and festive craft-making.

While National Trust houses will be closed on the Christmas bank holidays, about half of the grounds and gardens will be open on Boxing Day, and nearly all coast and countryside properties will be open throughout the Christmas period.

Tony Berry, the National Trust's visitor experience director, says: "In the lead-up to Christmas, families love being able to soak up the atmosphere of a traditional Christmas in a great house and getting involved - not just by seeing Santa in a fantastic setting, but also taking part in making traditional garlands, Victorian cooking and lots more.

"And throughout the holiday season, our parkland is perfect for families who want to get some fresh air and burn off that Christmas pud."

:: For information on National Trust properties and grounds opening times and prices, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk. For more information on MEND programmes, visit www.mendcentral.org Ask the expert Q: I have no option but to take my toddler Christmas shopping with me. Do you have any tips to make it as easy as possible?

A: Parenting expert Sue Atkins, author of Raising Happy Children For Dummies (Wiley, £15.99), says: "I think Christmas shopping and shopping generally with toddlers is given a bad press. With a little bit of planning and some common sense, there are many practical ways to take the stress, frustration and tension out of it.

"Remember that small children have limits. Be alert to their needs: are they tired, hungry, overexcited by the noise and confusion, or simply in need of some fresh air or a reassuring hug?

"Make sure you take breaks in your shopping to let them get rid of some energy and have some physical fun. Lots of shopping centres have places for them to let off steam.

"Get your child to wear something with pockets, and once you're at the shops fill the pockets with something healthy such as raisins. Toddlers love to sit in the shopping trolley or their buggy independently digging out the raisins.

"Bring their favourite snack or a sandwich as a standby - a hungry toddler is a grumpy toddler. Also, be sure to take frequent nursing or juice or water breaks.

"Make shopping fun - play games in the shops and look for things and get your toddler to count reindeer or look for snowmen.

"Keep their hands busy with a toy, or a book to occupy their minds.

"Children are naturally curious, so make the trip a learning time and sing Christmas songs or nursery rhymes and talk about colours or shapes.

"If they want to examine an attractive item in a shop, don't automatically tell them off - instead, help them to hold the item safely, or tell them it can be looked at but not touched.

"Choose a time when you know your little one will have a nap and make sure they're in the buggy so you can shop while they sleep.

"If your toddler has simply reached the end of their tether, respect that. Shopping can wait; an exhausted, hungry, or overly-excited child can't.

"If you're still nervous about shopping with your toddler, how about sharing your kids with friends? They go shopping for a couple of hours on their own while you look after their children and then you swap. You get far more done and you have a break and a bit of 'me' time while your kids are having fun too."

Girls' stocking filler Hello Kitty Lace Stationery Set This cute lace design stationery set from the hit girls' range Hello Kitty features a ballpen, pencil, sharpener and eraser. Suitable for children aged three plus, £3.79, available from www.heroesforkids.co.uk Harumika Puppy Pack Little girls can design outfits for their puppy with this set, which includes a Harumika puppy, basket, pieces of fabric, a bone-shaped stylus and accessories. Suitable for children aged six plus, £7.99, available from toy shops nationwide.

Moshi Monsters Mash Up Starter Pack To get kids started on the Moshi Monsters cards collection craze, this starter pack includes a Moshi mask, binder, game guide and six cards. Suitable for children aged six plus, available from newsagents, supermarkets and toy shops nationwide, £4.99.