Family at the Center of Christmas escape

Remember what made Christmas magical when you were a kid?

For me, it was the build-up, the anticipation, the preparation, for when the big fat man in his furry red suit would float down the chimney and leave stacks of gifts under the tree.

Present unwrapping was over almost as quickly as it had begun, so the real memories were created in the days building up to it – writing to Santa, making decorations at school and swapping cards with images of reindeers and twinkling lights.

For reasons unknown, that magic gets lost along the way between the age of 13 and adulthood and a visit to the German market in Birmingham only fills the hole for a short while.

You may think I'm some sort of Scrooge. Although I am the sort of person to sigh at the first sound of a Christmas song in shopping centres in October, but – honestly – I love Christmas. But I can't put my finger on it, it's just not the same.

However, finally, when I'm almost 30 and with two little kids in tow, I think I may have discovered the answer to banish the ghosts of Christmas past. and make sure my children's festivities are as memorable as mine were.

It's still the middle of November and it was a whole 10 days ago I discovered the answer, but as I write this I feel the warm glow of a brandy-soaked pudding deep inside my soul.

And it was simple really. Remember the thing that is the most important . . . family.

With my wife and two daughters, our weekend away at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest – the first of its special Winter Wonderland breaks this year – my inner child rediscovered Christmas and was delighted to have three other people to share that feeling with. With trees soaring into the sky either side, the little world you enter feels completely and relaxingly cut off from the rest of society. And, with everything you need on site, there is no need to venture out the gates for supplies.

One of the great things about the stay is that, even though we stayed three nights, you can get a full four days in as you are made to feel welcome by everybody from early on your first day and encouraged to stay even after checking out of your lodge at 10am (although you do have to give back any hired bikes by check-out time).

Having explored the central village and stopped for a spot of lunch overlooking the lake at The Pancake House, we checked in and left the unpacking to venture outdoors. and were greeted by a fridge full of food and plenty of shopping to keep us going for the weekend.

However, egg and bacon could wait, we wanted to unpack and get back outside for more exploring as dusk fell.

With cars banished to the main car park, it feels safe to walk and/or cycle around and we did a sterling job of getting well and truly lost in the dark (more to do with my own stupidity than a lack of signposts) but it's those slightly spontaneous moments that make a holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air so lacking during evenings in front of EastEnders, as bracing as the breeze was on the way back from the kids' disco.

Having settled in on the Friday, it was time to start getting Christmassy on the Saturday. But first we had a surprise visitor to the patio door – a gorgeous swan, much to the amazement of my daughters, whose faces were a picture to behold as this graceful creature went about his daily business despite the onlooking crowd. Having finally torn ourselves away from this scene, we strolled through the winter wonderland – a magical mixture of exhibits, a grotto, several reindeer, a Christmas shop and fake snow that the hordes of squirrels were removing as quickly as they could for their bedding.

The beauty of Center Parcs is you can book as much or as little as you like depending on the people in your party – ahead of time, or while you are there, keeping spontaneity alive – and with girls aged four and 15 months it was refreshing to find activities tailored to them while others could enjoy something more physical like archery, paintballing or segway riding. Four Christmas cupcakes and a stocking for under the tree later, we were in full Christmas mode, singing jollily along to the wonderland playlist as we cycled past and explored the grounds with the little ones strapped to the back.

On our final day we took a magical festive carriage ride around the grounds – again, with delight spread across my daughters' faces. Activities carry an extra cost, but the memories they create are priceless.

We also took advantage of one of the free things on offer – a trip to the pool. I say pool, I mean more of a mini water park. The perfect place to get wet while staying dry from the rain!

Closing the weekend with a festive carvery, fireworks and a visit from Santa, tiredness may have been creeping into us all, but one look at my wife and children told me some of our first and fondest Christmas memories are being created, and there's still more than three weeks until the big day.

Whatever you do with your Christmas, make sure you spend it with the people you love, and if (like me) you really need reminding just how magical a time it can be, then take a trip to Center Parcs to remind you. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night . . .

Travel facts

Center Parcs' Winter Wonderland runs until January 3 across all five of its venues. There is a huge range of festive activities from Elf Academy to festive pottery painting, See the website for details. The festive activities include:

Design a Christmas Stocking (three-7 years); Elf Academy (three-7 years); Visiting Santa at his Woodland Workshop; Pantomime – Sleeping Beauty (from November 15); Elf Hunt (2-5 years); Jingle Bell Rock and Rollerskate (6 years +); 12 Days of Christmas Treasure Trail; Festive Cupcake Workshops (8 years +); Little Elves Party Hour (2-3 years); Festive Pottery Painting.

Winter Wonderland breaks in 2016 start from £329 for a two-bedroom Woodland Lodge for up to four people (this is based on a mid-week break in November).