Christmas is coming! Christmas has always been my favorite holiday (so cliche, I know) but it has! As a kid, it was my favorite for obvious reasons, but as a parent my reasons have completely changed. I love reliving the anticipation and the excitement that the surprises of Christmas brings, and I also enjoy making this holiday last. I make sure it feels like Christmas from the moment Thanksgiving ends. I would probably start earlier if we didn't have family over for Thanksgiving - I can't get enough! The magical age of Christmas only lasts so long, so I'm trying to make the most of it. Before long, my kids will be asking for money and wanting to go to their friends' houses.
A big part of making sure Christmas is special is planning. I start planning in early to mid November in order to make sure we fit everything in. The first step is to make a list of all of the fun things we want to do. This can include Christmas movies we can't miss, activities, crafts, etc. Next, I get out my planner and start dividing the activities. I try to plan the larger projects (cookie baking) on the weekends, and on busy weeknights already filled with ballet and homework; I schedule a coloring page.
The date night/me night column is something special I decided to add to the schedule to make sure my husband and I don't miss those adult only Christmas movies (Bad Santa - don't judge me) and that I have a great excuse to watch those cheesy, yet amazing Hallmark holiday movies (it's on the schedule, so I have to!)
I try to be creative and come up with a couple unique activities each year, but for the most part it stays pretty consistent. After all, what is Christmas if it isn't traditional? This year, my new activity is the "Polar Express" ride to look at lights. I plan on putting the kids to bed like any other normal night, and then about 15 minutes after they're in there we are going to get them up to get on the "Polar Express" aka my suv with hot chocolate and warm cookies. I will post more on this night when it happens!
As far as how I announce/reveal the countdown to my kids - that changes often. The list I have below is only a reference for me - I try to think of creative ways to count down the day. Last year I made a paper link chain that had each activity written on it, so we could countdown that way. This year, I am wrapping each activity. It may be a Christmas book wrapped up, or a coloring page with a bow tied around it. I will be posting pics as soon as Thanksgiving moves out of the way!
The Slater’s Christmas Countdown
|
Date
|
Kids’ Activity
|
Date Night/Me Night
|
|
28th
|
Put up decorations & Miracle
on 34th Street
|
|
|
29th
|
Christmas Craft – Paper plate reindeer
|
Hallmark holiday chick flick
|
|
30th
|
Elf
& eat Christmas snacks
|
|
|
1st
|
Read a Christmas book (or 3!)
|
|
|
2nd
|
The Grinch with
green snacks
|
Little Women
|
|
3rd
|
Christmas coloring page
|
|
|
4th
|
Christmas craft – Popsicle stick snowflakes
|
|
|
5th
|
Sing Christmas songs
|
|
|
6th
|
Wear Christmas jammies & watch The Polar Express with hot chocolate
|
|
|
7th
|
Christmas baking (Round 1)
|
Christmas Vacation
|
|
8th
|
The Santa Claus
|
|
|
9th
|
Start grandparent gifts
|
|
|
10th
|
Christmas coloring page
|
|
|
11th
|
Make a gingerbread house
|
|
|
12th
|
The Santa Claus 2
|
The Family Stone
|
|
13th
|
“Polar Express” to go look at Christmas lights
|
|
|
14th
|
Make teacher & kidstop gifts
|
|
|
15th
|
Read a Christmas book (or 3!)
|
|
|
16th
|
The Santa Claus 3
|
|
|
17th
|
Christmas coloring page
|
|
|
18th
|
Wrap presents
|
Four Christmases
|
|
19th
|
Christmas Craft – Decorate paper Christmas trees
|
Hallmark holiday chick flick
|
|
20th
|
Holiday ballet recital
|
|
|
21st
|
Wear fancy Christmas clothes for the Christmas party
|
Christmas Vacation (x2)
|
|
22nd
|
Finish grandparent gifts & watch Prancer
|
|
|
23rd
|
Christmas baking (round 2) & watch Christmas classics
|
|
|
24th
|
Special dinner & traditions
|
Bad Santa
|
Happy holiday planning!
XOXO
~A. Savvy Mom~
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