Part II of this post will focus primarily on our Advent Calendar.
I've been searching and searching for the "appropriate-for-my-family's-needs" Advent Calendar and for activities to include in it. When I say "appropriate for my family", I mean a lot of things.
1. Personality... I'm not the super, crafty, do-it-yourself-er who enjoys all that craftiness and I'm okay with that. 2. Time... this year we are stretched for time and energy. I needed and wanted something easy and inexpensive. Each of us has to find what works best for our families and for our own capabilities during these coming weeks.
So, here's what I found at Garden Ridge yesterday:
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| A big box! |
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| That holds lots of little small boxes! |
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| I didn't have to make a thing! Well, except the numbers! |
And all for less than $20!!! I did print out stencils for the numbers. Then cut them out and glued them onto the boxes. I wish I had kept looking for more stencils online because soon after mine were complete, I found these. They would have been quite a bit easier!
Now, I'm trying to compile a list of activities to be included into these cute little boxes! I stole most of these from friends on facebook, Pinterest and Google searches! Some are silly, some are very intentional teaching moments, some are simply about family being together. I have ONE purpose in doing an advent calendar for Lucas and our family. That purpose is to create longing and anticipation in our hearts. The world ached and groaned for Christ's first coming. I want to feel that. And today, the Earth and all of our hearts tremble for His Second Coming. I want to be aware of the anticipation in my heart. Advent means "The Arrival". I want to wait longingly for his coming Arrival. And I want to help create that for Lucas. And together we'll pray, "Come, Lord Jesus." Each day, as Lucas opens a box, he'll anticipate what's in it and what we are going to do that day. Then I will talk about how every day, in that same way, we long for and expect Jesus to come for us.
With all that said, here's my list. They are not quite in order yet and I have more than 25. I'll arrange them best with our weekly schedule and move things around as needed. If I stick to this 80%, I'll feel great about it. And one thing to note: we don't do Santa Clause at our house. Ask if you'd like more explanation on that, but notice I'm celebrating St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6th. And that's why some of my calendar boxes have Santa on them... but we call him St. Nicholas :)
1. Go to Mozart’s for special dessert and hot chocolate. It's a coffee/dessert shop on the lake and they have great lights up already!
2. A new Christmas coloring book
3. Read the Christmas Story from Luke 2
4. Make Christmas cards for Friends and Family
5. Make a card for our mail person
6. Celebrate St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6th; Buy a gift on the Any Baby Can Wish-List and deliver it to them
7. Make and Decorate Cookies- deliver them to neighbors and the mail person with cards
8. Order a pizza and watch a Christmas movie together; make hot chocolate and stir with candy canes
9. Feed the ducks at the pond and go to our church’s Christmas party
10. Make a Christmas Ornament and take Christmas Pictures at school
11. Make “goody” bags for the homeless and pass them out from our car
12. Make a Ginger Bread house
13. Have a tea time
14. Make a card for someone who doesn’t have a lot of family around and invite them to come to one of our upcoming activities with us
15. Go see the lights on 37th Street in Austin and go to across the street to Amy’s ice cream
16. Lower our heat for a day and pray for those who don't have heat at all.
17. Make a pine cone bird feeder to feed the animals around us.
18. Make paper snowflakes and hang them in our windows. Check these out: Easy ones for kids
19. Ride the MetroRail and meet a family member or friend downtown for brunch and/or the Children's Museum. Annie's is my favorite!
20. Make a ginger bread house or a ginger bread nativity
21. Go to Trail of Lights with family! Trail of Lights Schedule! The 21st is Caroling night! Begin building our nativity set by adding the angel.
22. Make a full traditional breakfast and play Christmas music. Add the wise men to the nativity
23. The Element Express! See here for this fabulous idea! Add the animals to the nativity.
24. Make a birthday cake for Jesus. Add Joseph and Mary to the nativity.
25. Remember It’s Christmas Day. We have a family who loves us, and Jesus has come for us… He is the most important gift of all. Add baby Jesus to the nativity. Open gifts and spend the day celebrating with family.
Other activities:
1.
Take family photos
2.
Make the house smell like Christmas
3.
Make a list of things you are thankful for
4.
Go get warm donuts at Krispy Kremes
5.
Find Mistletoe and hang it in your house
6.
Buy a stranger’s coffee or meal
7.
Finding things in your home to give away to
charity
8.
Write a note to someone you appreciate
9. Singing
carols together with family or friends
1 comment:
Love it!!!
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