Oh, Christmas Tree + Advent Activities

Over the Thanksgiving break, we took some time between meals to go and get this year's Christmas tree.  I grew up with an artificial tree, but BB and DD have come to expect a live tree full of fresh pine scent (and shedding needles).  There's always the uncomfortable waiting period where C sets up the tree and unties it, and we all wait for the tree to relax and get full.  The boys ask with much frequency whether the tree is ready or not for decoration about 96 times during that hour or so. Finally, the tree is ready to take the string lights and ornaments.

We've amassed a wonderful collection of ornaments from seasonal shopping and our travels, including our recent trip to Disney.  Unwrapping everything brings back memories and blasted Christmas music while BB and DD jumped up and down off stools and the sofa to decorate the tree. The days of hanging everything low and in one spot are over!  We left another large box of ornaments to hang on another night.  In the meantime, we turned down the lights and sat together admiring our twinkling tree.  I'm really concentrating on making the season last by having many more of these cozy evenings.

For years I made an activity-based advent calendar for the month leading up to Christmas.  But pre-scheduled activities are hard to do when you have young kids and for us it doesn't get much easier with slightly older kids who are busy with homework and activities.  So instead of setting out our schedule for December, I made a list of all fun and special things we want to do leading up to Christmas.  We've got several activities crossed-off already.  

• Christmas movie night with popcorn
• Build a gingerbread house
• Make our Ugly Christmas Sweater cookie kit
• Camp fire night
• Read Christmas books
• Make ornaments
• Make our own Winter decor
• Buy our tree and decorate it
• Christmas movie night with popcorn (part 2)
• Finalize Christmas lists for Santa
• Treat night – take a trip to BB and DD's choice
• Go iceskating 
• Bake a treat
• Christmas light show drive
• Watch movie in the theater
• See a show
• Shop a Christmas market
• Plant bulbs (paper whites, amaryllis)
• Select Toys for Tots giveaways
• Wear new pajamas
• Listen to Christmas carols
• Go on a ski trip!