I have so much to be thankful for after hosting Thanksgiving at our house. My family came from near and far to sit down for dinner. Some from Austin, others from Fort Worth, and my uncle won the award for traveling the farthest by coming from Jakarta, Indonesia. Yep, he wins.
Now it’s onto Christmas. And this is how we roll. A wagon packed to the rims with three children and bags, and topped with a Christmas tree on the roof. Truly a Griswold family Christmas.
While browsing the blogs last week I came across a great list for your advent calendar. I really liked it because it was experiences instead of things. I can’t for the life of me find the blog I found it on. If any of you know, please let me know and I’ll give her credit. It’s one heck of a list. Thanks Kim, the advent calendar is from Jordan Ferney who blogs at oh happy day!
Advent Calendar
- Go ice skating
- Watch It’s a Wonderful Life, make spiced cider
- Exchange gifts
- Make Christmas cookies for friends
- Find Mistletoe, hang it in our house and kiss under it
- Address and mail Christmas cards
- Go the bookstore and pick out one new Christmas CD
- Go to The Nutcracker
- Handel’s Messiah Sing Along
- Leave out wooden shoes on December 5th
- Go see a live Nativity
- Make thick hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows
- Host a Christmas sweater party
- Put up a ribbon sash for Christmas cards
- Donate canned goods
- Give neighbors a present
- Put up a wreath
- Make a gingerbread house
- Make a popcorn garland
- Make hot chocolate and read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
- Sing or listen to your favorite Christmas songs
- Drive around to see neighborhood lights
- Go out and see public light display
- Read Christmas story from the bible
- Open a gift (new stocking, pajamas, or pillowcase)
- Make a family traditional dessert
- Eat out at a festive restaurant
- Go to a seasonal movie
- Tell stories of childhood Christmas around the fire
- Have a romantic candlelit dinner by the Christmas tree
- Make decorative sugar cookies
- Sign up to purchase gifts for a needy child
- Host a Christmas dessert party
- Write out a Christ-centered goal to start early for the New Year
- Have a movie party with classic Christmas clips
- Go to a Christmas concert
- Attend a city tree lighting event
- Have a full traditional breakfast while listening to Christmas music
Of course our list will have a few more kid crafts, such as making paper snowflakes. Do let me know if you have any special family traditions for your own advent calendar. I’d love to hear them.
‘Tis the season.
