Advent Calender

mrs_marty

I have decided that I am not buying advent calenders this year, instead I thought about starting hopefully a new family tradition of 24 little envelopes with 24 christmas themed activities. My children are 8,5, and 1 so need really just entertain the two older ones but also not all consuming Monday - Thursday due to school and more elaborate fri - sun

So far I have thought on-

Making a gingerbread house
Visiting santa grotto
Write Santa Letters/Go on NORAD
Making our own non alcoholic mulled wine (hopefully after a long crisp walk)
One saying decorate xmas tree
Drink hot chocolate whilst watching Polar Express, thought this could be repeated with the Grinch, home alone, Wonderful Life (kids already seen it and love it)
Make family members christmas cards
Make christmas cupcakes/sweets
Colouring in christmas themed sheets
Christmas quizz

Then I am stuck?!? Any ideas?
Thanks

carlamarie_2

making salt dough decs, paperchains, snowflakes

going for a walk to collect pine cones, then decorating in glitter

making xmas themed finger or sock puppets and putting on a puppet show

if you have a camcorder, record a festive message or them singing xmas songs from your children to send to relatives/friends via email

carol singing for elderly neighbours or relatives

walk or drive to see the xmas lights around your home

System

Singing Christmas songs - if relatives are near you could go caroling on their doorstep
Go gor a walk/drive to see the houses decorated for Christmas
Make Christmas crackers

Eating_Daisies

I was reading something very similar on this blog today: http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/11/christmas-advent-calendar.html

Lots of ideas on there. (I'm nothing to do with that blog by the way!!:p)

Triggles

-learn a new christmas carol
-make a small donation to a local charity (even if it's donating toys or clothing to charity shop)
-do something helpful for a neighbour or family friend (or just visit them)
-make a christmas scavenger hunt
-make up christmas stories and colour pictures to go with stories to read together

Hadley1

No ideas off the top of my head, but I'll keep thinking.

Just wanted to say its a lovely idea. Do you plan to keep the activities the same each year or change them?

vickiem30

What a lovely idea

How about:
Making a nativity scene
collect holly
make small hampers for elderly neighbours
make mince pies
make a shoe box for children who wouldn't otherwise get toys
going to church for a carol service
make a christmas cake or pudding

Gleek

Following on from the above theme, I've bought 2 lots of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110608720840?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_3241wt_1037 (not affiliated with the seller and you can cut your own if you have the die cut)

I'm buying several little bits as I go to fill them and have some gold shiny numbers to stick onto them for 1-24.

Some of the things (like panto tickets) are too big to go in them so when I have 24 things - whatever they turn out to be - some of them might turn into clues in the boxes to find things :rotfl:

madz2802

this is a cool idea!- http://pinterest.com/pin/232639136970866268/