How this works

We all know an "Advent Calendar" is to help count the days until Christmas.  The one I have created is a little unique and has changed forms over the years.  But the basics are the same.

Advent for us is the 4 full weeks before Christmas starting each Sunday, which does change the number of days to make the dates match.  Starting December 1 the fun begins. 

We always try to start our day with snuggles and story time (yes even my teenage boy still likes this).   For the advent season we open one pocket each day.  The kids take turns pulling one peace of paper out and reading the instructions.  When our family was little and had a more relaxed season we did each task as it was pulled.  Now, we read each item and then find a way to fit them in throughout the day.

Here is what Day 1 can look like if the schedule is perfect. I usually have the worship thought first thing. We usually listen to audio stories in the car on the way to school, use the gratitude challenge as a discussion starter at dinner, and then read a story or a video in the evening.

a. Worship thought (Green card) – Right Now Media video A Savior is Born, first episode "Hope"

b. Treat – Hershey's Kiss, or something homemade, or nothing at all.

c. Dinning Table Wreath (Purple Card) – Light 1st purple candle (idea from Adventures in Odyssey)

d. Kindness Activity (orange card) – Pithy Placemats

e. Audio Stories – Your Story Hour Christmas Album

f. Book – Santa Kid by James Patterson

g. Activity – Grinch “on a shelf” Letter to begin season (this sometimes doesn't happen)

h. Lego – build snowflakes

i. YouTube – Kindness Video

j. Movie – AFV Christmas episode

k. Learning about the World and how it celebrates Christmas – Philippines

l. Family Gratitude Challenge – One thing we’re grateful for today.

m. Christmas Songs: Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Eve & other stories”, read story today. 

The best part is just having something fun to do as a family. If we don’t get it all done in a day, that’s ok. Maybe I planned too much. (which means maybe they have choices). But, we will have time together which is most important.