This week, I will be lugging out the tubs of holiday "stuff". I try not to go nuts, but its fun to have some special things out this time of year, both for us and the kids. One important item for them is the advent calendar. This one was made by mom years ago, for me (not as a young child, I will admit. She made it for me in high school when our dog died — her way of dealing with the crisis, she tells me, ha!). It is felt, stitched together and stenciled. Every year, even when I was home for college, she would fill it with little goodies, leading up to Christmas. I have fond memories – thanks Mom!
Two years ago, she pulled it out and started doing it with Emma. Each day has a little toy, stickers, candy, chapstick, etc. The first year, when the babies were tiny, and it was definitely all for her. Last year, anything that was edible was shared between them, but the toys were all still Emma’s. This year, that would definitely not fly! We decided that taking turns would be a bit too hard, so each of them will get something each day. My mom bought some things, and we are filling up the rest. We’re trying to not spend too much, but still make it a special thing to do each morning. The kids are pretty easily amused, so its not too hard to do — little things like post-it notes, erasers, ribbons for hair go over pretty well. This year I think I will fill some pockets with an "activity" instead — something fun to do that day, like going to the gym or the zoo, doing a fun art project, etc. The trick is making SURE we do it, no matter what, if its in the pocket that day!
We have a few other holiday traditions we do, but I hoping to be more organized and intentional this year, so that we can start some new ones that are both fun and meaningful. There’s so many great ways to celebrate the season, and not all have to be big, fancy and expensive! I especially want to find stuff we can do throughout the month, leading up to Christmas, so we can extend the festivities and not drive ourselves nuts with a big flurry right at the end…
What are some traditions that your family does for the holiday season? Especially in the weeks leading up to the "big days"?
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This is the first year that will have an advent calendar for our kids. Ours just has a little candy cane (not a real one) marker that gets moved from number to number as we count down the days. I like that your calendar is able to accommodate little treats each day.
I’m hoping to let my twins help with the baking this year, and we’re going to try to make it to zoo lights this year as well. But at 2.75, they don’t seem to have many memories of last year’s Christmas. I’m guessing it will be an entirely different story next year.
I love advent calenders! I might swipe your idea when my boy is old enough. I like the idea of small gifts.