No, I didn't get tired of counting my many blessings and reasons to be thankful in November, I just wasn't diligent in continuing with the daily posting! That being said, I had an incredible time with God on the journey to discover His blessings in the everyday happenings of life. A journey that I wish to continue as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas around our house has always been a time of connecting and focusing our attention on the reason for the season, Jesus. I have been sharing our advent activities on my blog for the past couple years and am doing it again this year. For sure you will see repeats from years past but I do try to change things up a little each year.
We've already begun our Jesse Tree readings for this year. We will light our first advent candle tonight as it is the first Sunday in the month.
Our daily countdown activities for this December are as follows:
1. Celebrate Christmas Past (look through old pictures)
2. Coloring book fun
3. Plan RACK (
Light 'em up) activities
4. Shape Tracers
5. Spaghetti Dinner and Lights
6. Family Movie Night
7. PJ Book Day (take library staff treats)
8. Christmas Card Day
9. Homemade Hot Cocoa
10. Snowman craft
11. Christmas Tree Game
12. Paper Snoflakes
13. Carol at nursing home
14. Carol and celebrate birthday
15. Family Movie Night
16. Snowman Door Hanger
17. Candy Cane Craft
18. Christmas Puzzles
19. Bake and deliver neighbor treats
20. Legend of St. Nick with craft
21. Nativity Craft and activities
22. At home pedicure
23. Gingerbread day
24. Bake Jesus a birthday cake (attend Christmas Eve Service)
25. Christmas Day Celebration!
As far as gifts go, our family keeps it pretty simple and small. The girls exchange gifts on Christmas Eve so they have something to occupy them during rehearsals for church. The kids get new pajamas after church on Christmas Eve and then wake up to a few presents under the tree. While I've always loved the idea of three gifts per child (just as Jesus received 3 gifts) we fall much more in line with
this way of presenting gifts.
One new advent happening I am adding this year is marriage countdown activities. I've always done this with the kids but this year Justin and I will be counting down the days too. I downloaded the marriage advent activities from
The Generous Wife (on the right hand side of her site). I read her blog daily and am always encouraged in my walk as a wife. Happy Home fairy has some
cute ideas to keep your marriage fun, light and spicy during the holiday season. Check out her site for a ton of other great ideas too!
I would love to know what wonderful things you have planned or what traditions your family has for Christmas. Please share so we can all gain new ideas and learn from one another. Be blessed and be a blessing this Christmas season!
