The holiday season is upon us and I’m sure you’re busy prepping to make it special for your loved ones. This year our family will be utilizing a beautiful Advent calendar that was gifted to us two years ago from my husband’s parents. So, I took to Pinterest and utilized my early childhood background and came up with some fun family traditions to implement this year.
Having a toddler and an infant means that we have to be strategic with our activities. Doing bigger activities such as bake cookies or watch a Christmas movie have to be planned for the weekend. Since I am a full time working mom and my wonderful husband works quite a far distance from home, I will be leaving some activities for my mom to do with the kids.
So, here goes. These are the memories we will be making this year.
Dec. 1- Decorate the Christmas tree. This will become an annual kick off to the advent season. Such a fun way to go through ornaments and remember the stories behind them.
Dec. 2- Felt Christmas tree (like this one). I’ve done this with my classroom and the kids love it!
Dec. 3- See Santa Claus at the Bountiful Gifts Pancake breakfast to support the Christmas program.
Dec. 4- Color Christmas cards for the troops
Dec. 5- Color melt ornaments with crayons. Found here. Instead of fish, I am going to cut out stars.
Dec. 6- Snow dough
Dec. 7- Read 3 books at bedtime. Our daughter LOVES to read and the only time we have to limit books is at bedtime. Otherwise, we would be reading for hours. Normally we only read 2 books, so this will be a little treat.
Dec. 8- Make a bird feeder. We will put this outside the playroom so the kids can watch the birds!
Dec. 9- Watch a Christmas movie
Dec. 10- Special donut breakfast. My husband and I both have fond memories of visiting a local bakery that makes amazing donuts. However, our local store closed. But, alas, I found the original location when I was pregnant. I stopped once and quickly fell in love again.
Dec. 11- Have hot chocolate
Dec. 12- Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments. Recipe here
Dec. 13- Ribbon and Bow painting
Dec. 14- Have a special snack after nap
Dec. 15- Do a Christmas puzzle. This could be hard to find. So, my plan is to print off Christmas pictures or use book jackets and glue them onto cardboard. Then use scissors to cut into puzzle pieces.
Dec. 16- Drive around and see Christmas lights
Dec. 17- Make Christmas cookies and deliver them to friends
Dec. 18- Make Christmas pancakes
Dec. 19- Snow paint. I got this idea from our SPARK program, but here is the recipe.
Dec. 20- Make bead candy canes (Awesome fine motor activity)
Dec. 21-Read a book about the birth of Jesus
Dec. 22- Make ice cream cone Christmas trees
Dec. 23- Read The Night Before Christmas
Dec. 24- Attend Christmas Eve mass
I’m looking forward to beginning this tradition and teaching our children to be giving and kind. I will say that it is important to provide opportunities for children to help others or show love to others throughout the year and not just at Christmas time. What plans do you have for your family this holiday season? Or, what is your favorite pastime?
confidentandfitmom 
How special!!
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