The Christmas season is upon us and it is time to start thinking about the plans with your family. One of my all time favorite traditions is the Advent calendar. We started this when my older boys were 1 and 2 years old. Every morning they would run down the stairs straight for the Advent to see what treasure and fun activity was in store for them that day. You can just see the magic of the season come to life in their eyes.
Are you sold on the idea, yet? Whether you are new to this whole idea or you just want to jazz up your current Advent calendar then you are in the right spot. Listed below are several options for you to choose from. It can be simple or elaborate. You get to decide what works with your family. Also included are over 60 daily Advent activities.
PICKING THE PERFECT ADVENT CALENDAR
The first year we implemented this, I couldn’t find just the right Advent calendar that I wanted. Most of the boxes were so small and didn’t hardly fit anything in them. I resorted to making my own with the help of an Etsy seller. I purchased a blank set of boxes and covered it in a lot of Mod Podge. My fingers were stuck together for days but I loved the way it turned out.
This year I decided to upgrade our calendar with a larger option. I have found it hard to shove 3 of anything in those boxes. Here is the option that I choose from Micheals as well as other favorites that I came across in local stores this year.
Also at Micheals Craft Stores:
DECIDING WHAT TO PUT INSIDE
So you have a calendar, but what do you put in it? You could add candy, small trinkets, Bible verse, daily activity, random act of kindness, home made vouchers, or a combination of any of that. Giving my boys candy every day was not an option. It is like giving a revved up Ferrari engine more gasoline. So, I mix it up with small trinkets that I get from dollar bins. Things such as Christmas socks, light up toys, small containers of slime, bouncy balls, stickers, lip balm, hot wheels car, or craft supplies. Here is a picture of the start of my stash for the boxes. I will update it later when I have everything.
INCLUDING A DAILY ADVENT ACTIVITY
Along with the fun treat, I include a piece of paper with an activity for the day printed on it. I will spend some time in the last few weeks of November laying out my calendar and comparing events that we already have scheduled. Then I add in activities that I find feasible to complete each day. Don’t stress yourself out here. If you watch 2 or 5 Christmas movies then who cares. The point is that you are doing it together. Take the time away from the house work and spend quality time with your family. All that laundry and dishes will be there later.
Advent Activities:
- Red and Green Dinner
- Make a Gingerbread House
- Take a Carriage Ride
- Family Service Project
- Make Peppermint And Gingerbread Play doh
- North Pole Elf Breakfast
- Drive Around to View Christmas Lights
- Sleep Under the Christmas Tree
- Watch a Christmas Movie
- Picnic By the Tree
- Santa Breakfast
- Polar Express Ride
- See New Grinch Movie
- Pick Out Sibling Gifts
- Candlelit Family Dinner
- Birthday Party for Jesus
- Santa Train Ride
- Pick Out a New Ornament
- Santa Dinner Theater
- Write a Letter to Santa
- Make Christmas Cards for Loved Ones
- Go Out for Hot Cocoa
- Attend a Christmas Musical
- Make a New Ornament
- Visit Local Conservatory
- True Meaning of Christmas
- Family Game Night
- Go Ice skating
- Bake Sugar Cookies and Decorate Them
- Go Sledding
- Deliver Homemade Gifts to Neighbors.
- Make a Snowman or Snow Angels
- Make Reindeer food
- Read the Christmas story
- Make Salt Sough Ornaments
- Take Photos in the Snow
- See a Local Christmas Show or Play
- Have a Marshmallow Fight
- Make a Pine-cone Bird Feeder or Birdseed Ornament
- Christmas Music Dance Party
- Donate Old Toys
- Make a Popcorn Garland
- Take a Special Treat to a Local Fire Department
- Read your Favorite Christmas Book
- Hand print or Foot print Christmas Craft
- Send a Christmas Card or Care Package to Someone in the Military
- Choose and/or Cut Down Your Christmas Tree
- Go Caroling
- Visit a Live Nativity
- Visit Santa
- Free Choice Day
- Christmas Bubble Bath
- Put Together a Christmas Puzzle
- Festive Scavenger Hunt
- Donate to a Local Food Bank
- Make Paper Snowflakes
- Attend a Holiday Themed Story Time at Bookstore or Library
- Attend a Special Church Service
- Learn About Christmas Around the World
- Decorate Kid’s Rooms
- Hide and Seek a Small Present
I print each selected activity out on labels and adhere them to a piece of scrapbook paper. You can simply write them out on a piece of paper too.
TOY ADVENT CALENDARS
Finally as if one Advent calendar wasn’t enough. I started adding in these ‘toy’ Advent countdowns. At first I did just one, but let me tell you that your life will be so much easier with one for each kid. Trust me on this. So this year we did just that. My oldest enjoyed the Lego ones so he got that one. My middle son loves Hot Wheels so we got the cars one. And my baby boy is a big fan of Paw Patrol so naturally I felt that that one was the best choice. You can pretty much find them anywhere now from Target, Micheals, Walmart, and Amazon.
ADULT ADVENT CALENDARS
Don’t forget about a little Advent calendar fun for you too. Aldi’s had a wine Advent calendar that I am kicking myself for not going out to get it this year. Also consider a cheese, tea, coffee, beauty or chocolate Advent too. Why do the kids get to have all the fun?!
We change out some of our Advent activities each year to try new things. What activities do you do with your family? Comment below with your favorites too. I am always looking for new ideas.
Well… consider yourself added to my blogroll. I have like six other blogs I read on a weekly basis, guess that number just increased to seven! Keep writing!