Advent Calendar (part 2)


In the previous post, I made an Advent type calendar with a little stocking for each day in December (1st-24th).  Each stocking will be stuffed with an activity card listing a Christmas activity to be done that day.  I searched the internet for some ideas and came up with some ideas on my own.

I'll probably stuff the stockings on a nightly basis after referencing the next day's schedule (I'll be more likely to take on building a gingerbread house on my days off).  On really busy days, I can have a couple treats or trinkets to put in the stocking instead of a card.  The activities will also change as our kid(s) get older and can actually sit through a Christmas concert and participate in volunteer activities : )

Since several of the activities involve making something or require some preparation, I created a "to-do" and shopping list for all of the activities.  That way, each year I can get everything ahead of time without too much hassle. I added links to some of the ideas I found below:


Activities at home:
  • Pop some popcorn or make a snack, put on your pajamas, and pick out one of your favorite Christmas movies to watch
  • Read a brand-new Christmas book
  • Watch a movie and read a story about the very first Christmas, the birth of Jesus 
  • Pick out your favorite Christmas song and have a sing-along and dance!
  • Tomorrow is December 6, which is St. Nicholas Day!  Read about St. Nicholas and leave a shoe out for him tonight!
  • Take a Christmas themed bath
Activities out:
  • Go out and get some holiday ice cream from DQ or a shake from Steak n’ Shake
  • Drive around and look at Christmas lights
  • Go ice skating or sledding 
  • Go visit Santa Claus
  • Pick out a toy to give to a needy family
  • Visit the Children’s Museum or another Christmas display somewhere
  • Walk around the mall
Crafts/Kitchen

Additional activities:
  • Attend a Christmas show or concert
  • Visit a nursing home and bring some treats or decorations
  • Your choice!

I printed the list and stuck it onto Christmas paper which I will laminate (if I get a laminator for Christmas...*hint, hint*).  I'm going to keep a copy of the file and paper so I can easily print new ideas out each year and add them to the rest.

My list isn't set, so I am looking for other suggestions!  It would be nice to have extra ideas on hand!  I hope this will become a fun holiday tradition for our family!

2 comments:

Leslie said...

This sounds like so much fun! Here's some ideas I have...
- Christmas at the Zoo
- Assemble cookies in a jar to give as gifts
- Make a Happy Birthday card for baby Jesus
- Visit a Living Nativity scene (St. Vincent's use to have one every year, not sure if they still do)
- Build a snowman (weather permitting, of course)
- Go Christmas caroling

I can't wait to hear about some of your activities this year!

Mom said...

I like all your ideas! Can I come and live with you every Christmas?