Advent. Making the Most Merriment
Last year was the first year of Christmas Advent in which I ventured beyond tiny numbered doors hiding chocolates and did something a little more festive. I scrawled out ideas of special things big and small to do each day and wrapped notes or items that represented those things for Tyler (or in some cases myself) to open. The kids were still clueless about Christmas and traditions, so my plans for Advent weren’t really for them, but for me. It was fantastic. Maybe it says something about me, but even though we didn’t end up doing all of the activities, just the fact that I planned ahead and had the thought of doing it was enough to make me happy.
This year our schedule is filling up already and I’m swimming in a sea of possible excursions. It’s a challenge to juggle the desires to both max out the merriment and stay home at peace (accompanied by some hot chocolate of course). Nevertheless. Here’s a snapshot of our Advent Plan for this year…
| 1-Dec | Festival of Lights Parade |
| 2-Dec | Get Tree – Decorate while eating M&M’s |
| 3-Dec | Start Reading Christmas Books (pick a short story to read aloud as a family) |
| 4-Dec | First Fire in the Fireplace – drink hot cocoa, eat popcorn or smores |
| 5-Dec | Christmas Crafting (make Rosemary Wreaths or Felt Trees for the kids) |
| 6-Dec | Go see the Living Nativity in Santa Clara |
| 7-Dec | Eat special breakfasts |
| 8-Dec | Take Photos and Make Christmas Cards |
| 9-Dec | Watch a Christmas Movie as a Family |
| 10-Dec | Start a Puzzle |
| 11-Dec | Get a Giving Tree gift at the mall |
| 12-Dec | Make Gingerbread (graham cracker) houses |
| 13-Dec | Go to San Jose’s Christmas in the Park |
| 14-Dec | Search the house for spare toys/items for charitable donation |
| 15-Dec | Family Bike Ride (Journey to Bethlehem?) |
| 16-Dec | Elf Time – shopping and/or making gifts |
| 17-Dec | Bake Treats for the Neighbors |
| 18-Dec | Sing Christmas Carols at the piano |
| 19-Dec | Visit the Farm (Emma Prusch) and look for mangers |
| 20-Dec | Put bubbles in the bathtub |
| 21-Dec | Make a Christmas Playlist to listen to on the way to Grandma’s house |
| 22-Dec | Drink Milkshakes |
| 23-Dec | Wrap Final Christmas Presents |
| 24-Dec | Christmas Eve Service at Church |
| 25-Dec | CHRISTMAS! |
Happy December! May you enjoy anticipating Christmas in your own special way – – or better yet, come join us!
(photos from last year)
Christmas Puzzle and Homemade English Muffins. Advent Candles.
The Living Nativity. FAR exceeded my expectations…AMAZING!
Daily packages announcing the activity (or thing to be enjoyed).
Visit to SF for a Cable Car Holiday Lights Tour. Gotta love Groupon!
I love it Michelle! We have slowly been trying to add to our Christmas festivities each year and with Niko now 5 things have become incredibly exciting. I think I am going to borrow this idea. Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family and we can’t wait to see you. On our list of to does are going to Christmas in the park in San Jose, we should try to colaborate
Yes! That’d be great! Excited to see you at Christmas – let us know if you make it to Christmas in the Park!
We had never been to the Nativity in Santa Clara until 2 years ago and I was so completely blown away by the detail and prep involved. We went back a second time that year to take my folks. I am so stoked to go again this year because it truly is the best way to get heart-prepped for Christmas. It’s a don’t miss. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. 🙂
Michelle, I loved seeing your pictures from this year. We went on Thursday as planned, and it was better than I remembered from last year (my first year going). And the kids are starting to engage in the activities more – they made little clay shekels! We’re so lucky to live close to this! And I can’t believe it’s free.