Parenting

Scottish mum starts Christmas Eve 6pm bell ring so kids can get in the festive spirit


Lauren can’t believe how far the group has gone (Picture: JPI Media / SWNS.COM)

Every Thursday at 8pm at the start of lockdown, people across the UK took to their doorsteps to clap for the NHS workers putting their lives on the line for us during the pandemic.

With a second lockdown approaching this week, it may feel like this pandemic will never end, or that the community spirit we had when this all began has died down somewhat.

That’s why one woman started a Facebook group urging people to ring bells on Christmas Eve, and people from across the world have said they’ll be joining in the spreading of festive cheer.

Lauren Sinclair, 36, initially saw the idea on an English group, and decided to make a similar event page for people in her local area of Falkirk, Stirling, and Clackmannanshire.

Despite the fact she – and friend Terri Niven – only made the page nine days ago, it now has over 130,000 followers, all of whom are coming together at 6pm on Christmas Eve to make the year seem a little less bleak.

Lauren told Metro.co.uk: ‘The goal was simple. Covid may have taken our 2020 but it can’t take Christmas. No one can take our own doorsteps off us. and the thought of hearing masses of bells ringing at 6pm on Christmas Eve is giving us all goosebumps.

‘The inspiration was similar to clapping for the NHS. It brought people together for a few minutes each week.’

Lauren and friend Terri Niven, who’s helped with organising the event (Picture: JPI Media / SWNS.COM)

Lauren, who has four kids (16, 11, eight, and five) says that the collective act will evoke images of the iconic festive movie Elf, ‘where Christmas spirit has dropped so low, and they all sing to bring the Christmas spirit so high that Santa’s sleigh is powered by the magic’.

‘The response has been amazing,’ adds Lauren.

‘It literally has went all over the world. America, Australia, Cuba, and the Philippines to name a couple.’

The group has grown to over 130k members in just over a week (Picture: Worldwide Santas Xmas eve Jingle/Facebook)

The group have even had a massive donation of bells, which will be distributed between care homes and hospitals so that everybody can take part.

For those that can’t get their hands on any, though (as some stores have actually sold out due to demand) Lauren says: ‘If you can’t get bells jingle some keys, a wee pot and pan hit it delicately. Everyone has something that they could make a small jingle. Or craft bells are the way forward.’

Speaking of her own children, Lauren added: ‘You want to make them believe their whole lives. They will be taking part in this jingle – we’ve already bought our bells.’

It may be a simple concept, but in a year of upheaval for children, when they may not be able to see grandparents or extended family, this could be a wonderful reminder that, even socially distanced, we are still all together.

If you’d like to join the group on Facebook, you can do so here.

Do you have a story you’d like to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.


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