Christmas Advent-ures

My digital camera broke, otherwise you'd have a cute picture of the advent tree that my children's loving grandma sent for them. It looks like this, but with a variety of adorable Christmas paper that my mom attached to the front of each box.

In every box is a little toy or treat, and to add to the general festive feeling of the season I decided to add an activity to each box. I have to tell you, it has made having kids at Christmas a whole lot more fun.

I chose the activities in advance, while looking at the calendar, and having made the commitment to myself and also to the kids makes it a lot more likely that we'll actually do the activities.

Want a list? Here you go!

Decorate the house
Make a Christmas tree craft (we don't have a real tree)
Pipe cleaner candy canes, to give to teachers at school and church

A Christmas bubble bath--turn off the lights and bathe by candlelight

Bake Christmas cookies
Leave a surprise on someone's doorstep
Go to the local Christmas parade

Foam puppets of Santa and reindeer (cheap kit from Michael's)

Snowflakes from coffee filters

Drive to find Christmas lights--Leo just kept saying, "I'm having fun, Mom! I'm having so much fun!"
Take a night-time hayride with Santa at a local farm

Make Christmas cards
Play a game as a family
Use Christmas cookie cutters with homemade play dough

I have really enjoyed making the opportunity to do fun things with my kids. I hope I can get better at doing fun things with them all through the year. Merry Christmas!