With every commercial Holden sees being about toys, toys, and more toys I want to figure out a way to get him to view Christmas differently. I want to make Christmas about Christ, family, and others. I am trying to incorporate this throughout December and writing things out ahead of time means we are committed to do it. Because no way my little 5-year-old will let me forget.
Now granted my list might change every day, based on our schedule of events. I tried to make them as simple and doable as possible. My friend Mindy has also made her activities so cute and crafty. I am not that crafty and pay others to do this for me. Had I remembered to do this sooner I would have had one of my many talented friends make them pretty for me. But for now I got some Christmas gift tags and will stick them in an old advent calendar that we already had. I copied many from Mindy. Here is her blog with all of her ideas. She has some awesome ones and pictures to go with it. http://www.mindyrives.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-advent-activities.html
Here our list for this year:
FAMILY ADVENT:
1: Set out nativity scene
2: Read Christmas Story under the Christmas tree lights
3. Pick out presents for the student we adopted this Christmas
4. Pick out very own ornament
5. Write Noe our Compassion International child a Christmas letter
6. Write 3 things we are thankful for on snowflakes and put on window.
7. Go to Devon and slide down snow tube
8: Eat a candy cane together
9: Make hot chocolate
10: Go see lights with Ashley and Lucas
11: Make a Gingerbread house
12: Sing at Crossings Christmas program with Gigi and PawPaw
13: Pizza night with Christmas Carols playing
14: Make Christmas Cookies for neighbors and fire department
15: Eat popcorn and watch Christmas movie
16: Take something special to the homeless we pass everyday (let holden pick)
17: Take Hot chocolate to carpool teachers in the morning.
18: Missional Community Christmas night
19: Re-tell Christmas story with LEGOS
20: Travel to Nana and papas
21: Play with Caleb and B
22: TBD with family
23: TBD with family
24: Go to Christmas EVE service
25: Happy Birthday JESUS party with cake