One of our Christmas traditions includes an advent calendar. Behind each door, my girls discover two Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and a note with details of fun Christmas activity for the day. The excitement in my girls’ eyes each day always makes this a memorable event.
Christmas 2007
Here are some of the activities I tucked away inside the Advent calendar for my girls:
Write a letter to Santa.
Eat at Chick-fil-a for Family Night and enjoy the Christmas lights.
Make popcorn and gumdrop garland.
Go for a drive to look at Christmas lights and sip hot cocoa.
Make paper snowflakes to hang in the windows.
Make paper hand wreaths.
Sip hot cocoa and read Christmas stories.
Visit a Christmas tree farm and buy a wreath for the front door.
Visit the new Wiregrass Mall to see the Christmas light show.
Buy a new ornament for the playroom Christmas tree.
Make a paper chain for the playroom Christmas tree.
Hang mistletoe and remember to kiss everyone who walks under it.
Make gingerbread houses.
Bake cookies with Grandma and Auntie Simone.
Go to Moms on the Go Christmas party.
Decorate Christmas ornaments.
Make Christms fortune tellers.
Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies at Holiday Happy Hour play date with friends to watch the Polar Express.
Buy presents for family members at the Dollar Tree.
Go Christmas caroling at a retirement home.
Make Christmas cards.
Make wrapping paper.
Paint everyone’s toenails red.
Drop off toys at a Toys for Tots location.
Enjoy an evening Christmas concert at school.
Adopt an Angel Tree child and shop for items on his/her wish list.
Make Christmas crackers (or buy them if you’re less of the Martha type).
Light the Menorah to celebrate the start of Chanukah.
Go for a Christmas light stroll and count the Santas and snowmen in our neighbors’ yards. Graph the results.
Have a Christmas music dance party.
Make reindeer dust. Remember to set out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Santa arrives! Merry Christmas!
You may have noticed that there are more than 25 Christmas activities. I like to stuff extra ideas in box #25. During the holiday season, I chance upon a fun event in the neighborhood, which would take the place of one of the filler activities. In that case, I simply remove a note or move notes around in the box and my girls never know the difference.
But, like a bad mommy blogger, I forgot to take a picture of my girls opening the box on the first night, however, I did snap Day #2 pics and Day #3 pics.
If you live in the Tampa Bay area, the Chick-fil-a on Waters Ave is definitely worth the trip, especially on Tuesdays for Kids Eat Free Family night. Make it one of your must-do activities this holiday season.
Chick-fil-a on Waters Ave in Tampa
Advent 2008
The girls making mice ornaments with candy canes for tails.
Since we began the Advent calendar this season, Allana has suggested some of her own ideas for our Christmas activities, like a Christmas treasure hunt. Next year, I think it would be fun to include her in the planning process of the Advent calendar.
Oh, goodness. You’re making us (and by “us” I mean me, because you blog about all these wonderful holiday things you do with your children, while I blog about my daughter’s windy butt) look bad. The shame. Happy Holidays!
I love the Christmas light stroll around the neighborhood. ;)If you came in our section then you can add feed the ducks while looking at Christmas lights. We may have to join you for a stroll
I love your Advent Calendar activities. They are awesome! My favorite is the Chick-Fil-a night and the paint everbody’s toes red. I know it is a little late but I may have to steal some of your ideas and make my own Advent Calendar. Chick-Fil-a is my favorite and might appear more than once. I totally crave their sweet tea. Yummo!
@Little Jeesiw- Thank you for visiting my blog and all your wonderful comments. I honestly teared up when I saw how great our Christmas photos came out this year. If only you knew the pain and frustration I have endured for years over stupid Christmas pictures! I think I have lost years of my life due to the stress!
A few year ago, I bought my Advent calendar at Bath & Beyond with a 20% off coupon, but Target has some really nice ones this year. Or, it might be cute to make your own advent calendar too. It’s amazing what you can do with a little felt! As for starting the advent late, you could always start with the 12 days of Christmas. You’re still early for that!
Here is a link to a paper Christmas tree advent calendar craft:
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/madvent-tree.htm
Another idea, you could make an old-fashioned paper chain and write an activity inside each link before you staple it. Or, make a handprint wreath and write an activity behind each hand. With any of these, you will most certainly have fun with your kids and start a new tradition.
Best of luck to you!
I came across this post when I did a search for “Chick-fil-A on Waters at Christmas”. I love visiting their store at Christmas, it’s so awesome! And I just moved here from Arkansas about 2 years ago, so the “snow” is a little taste of home! 🙂
I wanted to comment for 2 reasons. First, because I am a Marketing Director at the Chick-fil-A in Spring Hill (and also host Family Nights) and it was nice to hear good things about family nights and Chick-fil-A in general! Also because the advent calendar for your kids is such a great idea! When I have kids, I can’t wait to do that with them!
So, Thanks!
i never heard of this! i really like it!
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