It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Each year I like to make an advent calendar full of activities that we can participate in as a family. This year I’m realizing that we’re BUSY before we even start adding Christmas activities so I’ve tried to make a more realistic list for us as a family and schedule the “big” things on the dates that work for us. Also, while the liturgical calendar has us actually starting the season of Advent today, we’ll be doing the typical 24 day countdown. Here are the activities we have planned (in no particular order):
- help mom put together neighborhood Christmas gifts and deliver
- bless the Advent wreath and light the first candle
- bake cookies
- make Christmas ornaments
- make paper snowflakes
- tell each family member something you like about them
- write a letter to Santa
- bubble bath followed by Christmas colors mani-pedi
- go for a drive and look at the lights
- play a board game after dinner as a family
- decorate the Christmas tree and set out the nativities
- read a Christmas book together before bed
- family Christmas jammie night
- watch a Christmas movie and have popcorn
- have a breakfast for dinner night
- make sure to leave out your shoes for St. Nick
- donate food/diapers to the local food pantry
- go for a walk together before bedtime
- deliver cards/ornaments to the nursing home
- make gifts for family members at Santa’s Workshop
- attend your school advent program
- draw a picture or write a letter to a loved one far away
- donate to the Salvation Army bellringer
- go through your toys and closets to find gently used items to donate to a local shelter
I think this is a beautiful list, Kate, with so many giving and cheering things-to-do for others. Your kids are very fortunate to have such a caring and thoughtful mom!
Thanks, Marian. I try. My parents were really good about teaching me that Christmas was about GIVING not getting and I hope to pass that along to my kiddos too. We aren’t perfect at it, but we’re trying.
I love this list! You are making me think that I need to create one of my own. As soon as I kick the cold/migraine that has me home for the second day in a row, I’m going to get right on that.
I hope you are feeling better now? Advent lists are one of my favorite traditions. I’d love to see yours if you wish to share.
I am feeling better now, but still haven’t made a list. 🙂 I think I’ll just borrow yours.