this year's advent activities

Five years ago, I started doing daily advent activities with my littles. I’ve always been a planner…spontaneity doesn’t come naturally to me. Having a master list for the month of December seemed like a good way to enjoy the holiday season and all it’s potential activities.

We’ve kept the tradition going, but each year I’ve scaled it back a bit. My goal is for it to be festive and memorable for the kids while not being too much work for us parents. The first year or two were a bit stressful. And stress is not what any of us need; not ever, but definitely not this year!

Here’s what we’ll be up to by way of activities this month. Typically there are a few holiday parties in the mix, but unfortunately not in 2020. Hopefully next year!

Head to the mountains and cut down a tree!
Watch The Grinch with special snacks
Make Pizzelle cookies
Write letters to Santa
Watch Claymation Christmas
Make orange peel decorations
Make holiday cards for your extended family
Go for a walk after dark with hot cocoa
Bake cookies to deliver to the neighbors
Fancy family dinner
Snuggle on the couch + read some holiday books
Dance party to everyone’s favorite song
Write a list 10 things you’re grateful for
Family facials!
Spinach balls and drinks by the Christmas tree
Family bike ride to see holiday lights
Stay in your jammies for breakfast + watch Home Alone
Go on a bird hunt: see how many birds you can find on a walk
Drop food off at a local food bank
Bake gingerbread friends
Enjoy reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed

And that’s all she wrote! A few that didn’t make the list this year involve nail polish (not relaxing for me with my 3 year old!) and putting food coloring in our cereal milk (we ran out of green food coloring and I’m not sure when I’ll get around to buying more…).

I also reserve the right to change the activities ahead of time. I put the activities on pieces of paper in the pockets of our reusable fabric advent calendar and also keep a master list on my computer so I know what’s happening. I swap days or change activities as life indicates!

What about you? Do you do advent activities? What are your favorite holiday traditions?