So if you have browsed pinterest anytime in the last month you've probably seen that there are a million totally cute, crafty, creative ideas for Christmas advent all over the place. So many creative people out there.
For a very small moment I was tempted to make something equally cute, crafty, and creative to assist our family in our countdown to Christmas. But then I realized I really didn't want to go to all that work. And really, would all that work be worth it? And appreciated? This blog post about the crafty advent debate solidified my resolve. We're just going to go with what we already have in place.
Keep it simple.
So here is how the Brown family counts down to Christmas:
1. The hang-an-ornament-on-a-tree advent
This was a gift from my mom lots of years ago. (from Pottery Barn Kids) Payton seems to have taken ownership of this one.
2. The magnet Nativity Advent Calendar
This one came from Grammer Valerie lots of years ago. It goes on our fridge and each day Anna dumps out the bag's contents to find the next number in the countdown. We start with 1 and work our way towards 24. Baby Jesus is #24.
3. Unwrap and read a Christmas book advent
I've seen this idea on the web for several years and have always wanted to do it, so this year we are giving it a shot. Yes, it is something new but it required zero creative juices and I'm only out a roll of wrapping paper. The kids LOVE it so far. And I love sitting by the Christmas tree each night and reading to them. Definitely brings the spirit of Christmas into our home.
4. A Christmas Fun list
Similar to the summer fun list, I like to create a list of possible activities to do each day over the Christmas season. (Some advent calendars I've seen assign activities to a specific day but I can't be tied down like that!) We can check them off as we go, and it also provides reminders & inspiration if we need a little holiday lift.
A couple things I forgot to write down:
- make reindeer milk (thanks Waite family for this!)
- go bowling on Christmas Eve
- watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional - check!
- play the Christmas chimes
But really, there's a host of traditions that are just a normal part of our December so it isn't necessary to write them all down. This gets us off to a good start.
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21 more days to Christmas!
