Making Memories Advent Calendar
Christmas has always been a special time in our family, when we all come together to celebrate and enjoy good food, laughs and create memories.
Memories are incredibly important to me and I am glad I have so many precious ones of my own, so I certainly strive to create special ones for my kids. I hope for them to always see the blessing of Christmas and not get distracted by the pressure people seem to put on themselves when the holidays arrive.
Over the past few years I have watched a good friend of mine create a beautiful tradition in the Christmas season. Instead of doing the traditional chocolate advent calendar, she has chosen to do something special with her children each day.
So this year I have created my own “advent calendar” for my boys which is made up of things I did as a child, and things I know my boys love to do. I hope you get some inspiration to look into creating your own unique version.
Please keep in mind my boys are small and I am incredibly grateful that due to Mummies on a Mission I do have a lot of time each day, if that’s is not the case for you, certainly customise this to suit you and your family.
December 1: Christmas Tree goes up
We have always made this day about going out to the tree farm and picking our tree to take home. Between me and my perfectionist hubby the kids don’t get much of a say on this one.
December 2: Write Santa a letter
My boys are three and four so this is a special one for them, if your children are too old for Santa, then they could write a gratitude list.
December 3: Decorate the house
This is always a favourite for me, we have the Christmas music as loud as can be and dance around decorating and enjoying the moment.
December 4: Make Christmas Tree cookies
You can use your favourite shortbread recipe and either buy tree cookie cutters or simply get creative and cut them out. We colour our icing with beetroot juice or kale juice to get Christmas colours.
December 5: Give back
Pick some toys that are no longer play with and wrap them up to donate to a local charity. Teaching children the gift of GIVING is so important
December 6: Pick a new treat to make with the kids
Just click here to go to our Recipe section for ideas!
December 7: Make a Christmas tree ornament
So many ideas you can do for this: salt dough, paper, arts & crafts, redecorate old decorations. Get creative and ensure you pop the name and year on the base as a keepsake. See this story for more ideas.
December 8: Christmas Parade
Please check your local parade date and reshuffle to suit.
December 9: Make glitter snow globes
This year I am thinking my boys will love to do dinosaur globes. Grab an old jar with lid, some glue, glitter, water and a plastic figurine. This craft is simple and lots of fun for the kids to shake up and watch it snow.
December 10: Send Christmas cards
Encourage your children to write to those special people in their lives and then create your own cards or sign store-bought ones.
December 11: Make gingerbread houses
Not for the faint hearted this one, in all honesty I am considering sending the boys to Omas for this, hehe.
December 12: Go for a walk in nature
Get outside and make some memories!
December 13: Play Christmas music all day
Get your jingle on and groove to some Bublé!
December 14: Festive Viewing
Jump in your pjs and go for a drive to see all the Christmas lights
December 15: Story time!
Read Christmas books with the kids
December 16: Make pinecone bird feeders
Paint pinecones with honey or peanut butter then roll in bird seed, string to hang it from a tree. Super easy and super messy!
December 17: Crazy picnic
Pick the location of your choice, but we do fruit fondue on the trampoline (obviously food is a big NO NO on the trampoline for safety, so as a giggle sometimes we have a special snack as a family in the middle of the trampoline and the kids think it is hilarious).
December 18: Kindy Christmas party
Reshuffle to suit your own school, playgroup, kindy etc.
December 19: Video viewing
Make a video sharing your favourite memories from the year.
December 20: Get ready for a bang!
Make homemade Christmas crackers.
December 21: Bake a gift
Do some baking to gift to a local retirement centre.
December 22: Cookout
Roast marshmallows after dinner or try Smores.
December 23: Family slumber party
Snuggle under the tree and watch Christmas movies
December 24: Reindeer crackers
This is messy but something my kids love, the chop carrots into rounds and then decorate with icing for the reindeer.
December 25: Christmas Day!
A little story for you: About eight years ago my cousin gifted me a lamp. She couldn’t sell it because of the story behind it, so gave it to me, instead. She had been at a garage sale and saw this lamp. When she went to pay, the lady who was in her 80s got very teary eyed about the sale. Suzy asked her if she was okay and the lady shared a story.
This lamp was the first gift her parents had ever bought her, it was a birthday present when she turned 12. She had always loved this special gift but was moving to a retirement home and was only allowed to take a few things, hence the garage sale.
This story has always stuck with me as it goes to show that with time, the only things we can truly hold onto are our memories. So please do not stress this Christmas about the perfect gift, or the perfect meal, simply enjoy your family and embrace all that you have to be grateful for.
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