055 Less Stuff, More Play: Creating a Connected Christmas

Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January. Jump on the waitlist here!

If your living room has ever looked like a toy shop exploded on Christmas morning, you’re not alone. The wrapping paper, the noise, the overstimulated kids… and that quiet thought in the back of your mind: “How did we end up here again?”

In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, host Ruth Vercoe brings a fresh, reassuring perspective to the festive season, one that’s grounded in child development, play-based learning, and realistic expectations for busy parents. Less stuff. More play. More connection.

“Less Stuff, More Play: Creating a Connected Christmas” explores what really supports young children during the holidays, and why understanding their play schemas can turn Christmas from overstimulating chaos into joyful, meaningful moments.

You’ll hear relatable stories, gentle insights, and down-to-earth guidance that helps you cut through the noise (and the unsolicited gift suggestions!) so you can focus on what matters most: your child, their curiosity, and the simple joy of playing together.

• Why “more” can quickly become too much
Discover the science behind overstimulation, why young children often ignore new toys at Christmas, and how aligning gifts with your child’s play schema can bring calm back into the holiday season.

• How simple play invitations can transform Christmas morning
Get practical, budget-friendly ideas based on the 10 play schemas — from wrapping-and-unwrapping (enveloping) to moving baskets of baubles (transporting) to watching the tree lights from underneath (orientation). No fancy setups. No Pinterest pressure. Just real play that meets your child where they are.

• The magic of slowing down and building connection
Find out why quiet in-between moments matter more than perfectly curated traditions — and how following your child’s natural play urges leads to deeper bonding, calmer days, and a Christmas they’ll actually remember.

As parents, we often carry the invisible weight of “making Christmas magical.” But the truth is: your child doesn’t need more things, they need more play, and more of you.

All key takeaways, scripts, and schema-based ideas mentioned in the episode are available in the show notes at

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Join us for the 2026 Family Preset from the 12-16th January 2026. Jump on the waitlist here!

If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

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I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

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