December 1, 2008 | In: Faith, Family

A Fun Family Christmas Idea

My friend Kristin recently pointed me to a great mom blog. One idea I’ve adopted from it is to do an Advent Activity Calendar.

I have a list of 25 simple activities and the plan is to put each one on a piece of paper. Then we’ll put all the papers in a jar and let the kids pick one every day until Christmas.

Before we do the day’s activity we’ll briefly talk about the real meaning of Christmas.

I love this idea because it will make Christmas memorable – not for the presents – but for the time spent together (doing some really silly things.)

The Advent Activity List

Here’s my list. Some activities were borrowed from the original post, some I came up with. Those are the lame and redundant ones.

Anyone else interested in doing this? Do you have any activity ideas (because, clearly, I need help)?

1. Sing Jingle Bells

2. Jump in leaves (or snow, if you have it)

3. Say Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas every time you walk past the Christmas Tree

4. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus

5. Drive around and look at Christmas lights

6. Make a paper chain with things we’re thankful for written on it

7. Make cinnamon ornaments

8. Have each child buy 1 Christmas ornament

9. Watch a Christmas movie

10. Sing Silent Night in munchkin voices

11. Build a fire

12. Camp out under the Christmas tree

13. Do a white elephant gift exchange

14. Roast Marshmallows

15. Re-enact the Christmas story

16. Dance to Jingle Bell Rock

17. Go caroling in the neighborhood

18. Read the Christmas story

19. Have a prayer night. Thanking God for Jesus and for the blessings from the year.

20. Sing O Come All Ye Faithful

21. Visit a living nativity

22. Have a birthday party for Jesus

23. Make homemade Christmas card for someone

24. Make cookies for the neighbors

(I actually only did 24 since, I was struggling to come up with ideas and Dec. 1 is almost over anyway.)

Anyone have other activity ideas? What are your family holiday traditions?

Get more holiday ideas at Heather’s blog.

11 Responses to A Fun Family Christmas Idea

the6stricklands

December 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 am

Check out our family blog, we started an AdventCalendar too, its all integrated into our homeschooling curriculum- really FUN! I also noted a great Advent book.

But last night a friend told me of one of her family traditions, its awesome! Each family writes a letter of encouragment (or draws a picture) for each member of the family, and puts it in their stockings. That way the stockings are have more value than just some presents and goodies. Each person reads the letters the day of Christmas. I think we are doing that this year!!

erin

December 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 am

How fun!! Have you seen those gingerbread house kits? That would be a fun activity. My mom makes one with my nephew every year, and he looks forward to it so much!

Kat

December 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 pm

The6stricklands,

Ooooh, the book you posted about looks great. I’ll have to look for that at the store tomorrow. You’re a great mom!

Randel,

I missed day 1 and did day 2 on the way to school. I want to start doing these as a whole family, but it’s all so crazy before and after work/school. We’ll see. I’m just taking baby steps.

Erin,

My kids would freak if I brought one home. I’m kinda strict about sweets. But they did do one with the fam at Christmas last year. The sugar rush is just now wearing off.

They LOVED it, though. Maybe I could find a little one…

Kaye,

You’re welcome.

Kristin,

Thanks for pointing me to that blog.

erin

December 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 pm

Oh yeah, the sweets could be a problem. We never ate any of the stuff on our gingerbread houses growing up b/c we wanted to be sure we had enough to put on them. And my nephew is one of those rare children who doesn’t like sweets.

anna

December 6th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

hey…i was blog stalking (not) and found this. but for real. i found this blog via a friends blog and thought of this post of yours (that i had read last night when i was supposed to be sleeping). so…check out this post: http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2008/11/diyp26-advent-calendar-shape-its.html and then click on the word “here” where it says you can download her advent plan. i’m not sure if the link i give you (here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/8019913/December-1) will actually take you there. i’m sure some of their ideas and yours overlap. i think it’s an awesome idea and i cant wait to do it with my daughter next year!!!