Christmas is almost here! But, it isn’t too late to create some special family time before it comes. No matter if you use the ideas below or find some of your own, I highly encourage you to take the time to do so. You will find your heart more connected to each other and the season, if you do! Note: More info on some of these can be found on our social media accounts.
Day One: Watch Klaus with Carmel Puffcorn
Find the list of other recommended Christmas movies here.
Caramel Puffcorn recipe can be found on our Instagram Stories here.
Day Two: Secret Santa (more info here)
This is something our kids do each year, but you could do it with a group of friends, extended family, etc. You can do it ahead of time & exchange gifts on Christmas, or you can do a fun shopping trip together: Everyone splits up & looks for a gift within a specific price range. You meet back together (at a restaurant to share a meal, if possible!) and exchange gifts.
Day Three: Homeschool Activities
Learn how other countries celebrate Christmas, do a creative writing assignment, and more ideas can be found here.
Day Four: Practice Generosity (find out more here)
There are many ways to practice generosity over the holidays: both by giving to organizations that help others & by giving to those around you as opportunity arises. And, generosity doesn’t have to be reserved for only those “in need”. Everyone benefits from kindness! It is also important to develop the habit of generosity all year long. However, some simple ideas that you still have time to do this year: donate (good food!) to a local food shelf; make a special treat & deliver it to your neighbors; call a local nursing home or hospital & find out if there is something you can contribute (covid restrictions have changed what is possible in some situations); and/or contribute financially to an organization that provides a Christmas meal to those who woolen’t otherwise have one (one option in the twin cities is Union Gospel Mission—www.ugmtc.org).
Day Five: Make a Gingerbread House
At one time, I made a homemade Gingerbread train that had train cars that could be filled with treats. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. And, honestly, it was not the easiest project for our kids to help with. So, when my husband had the brilliant idea to buy one of those kits that had everything you needed for a gingerbread house, ready for you to assemble ti, I only pushed back a little. And in the ensuing years it has become a special tradition—that is relaxing & fun!—that our kids look forward to. You can buy kits at most grocery & “big box” stores.
Day Six: Make Mickey & Minnie Christmas Oreos
Find instructions here.
Day Seven: Make/Decorate a Felt Tree
For younger kids especially, it can be a lot of fun to decorate a large felt tree. These are available for sale on-line. However, another option that can be fun for older kids too is to create your own. Simply buy felt in green & brown to make a felt tree out of, plus other colors to create ornaments. Begin by cutting the green felt into a tree form (this can be as simple as a triange, if you’d like) then add a small square of brown on the bottom to be the stump. (I recommend using “Tacky Glue” or hot glue for this part.) Kids can then create ornaments for the tree with the remaining felt. While you can use velcro to secure the ornaments to the tree, it is not really necessary as the felt will stick together even without that pretty well.
Day Eight: Grab some hot chocolate & go see some lights.
There is something so special about seeing houses, etc. all dressed up for Christmas. So, wait for it to get dark & go out as a family to see them. You can even have kids in pjs & all snuggled up & ready for bed upon your return. Doing it past bedtime helps to make it feel extra special, but since it gets dark so early in the winter, you can do it fairly early if you prefer. It is also fun to bring some hot chocolate along for the experience, too. Note: Often social media like the Nextdoor App will have recommendations for where to go and see lights in your area.
Day Nine: Make Christmas Pancakes
Using ingredients like pancakes, whip cream, chocolate chips, and fruit like strawberries you can make special Christmas themed pancakes. See pictures for examples of ones we’ve done. I highly recommend making homemade buttermilk pancakes to use for extra deliciousness, but it is not necessary. Note: I got this & the Minnie/Mickey Oreos ideas years ago on-line, but no longer know where the original ideas came from.
Day Ten: Christmas Shopping — with some extra bling
Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a chore. Make it fun! Add some extra bling and fun to keep the spirits light. On top of actual bling (see pics) you can make this time special by stopping for lunch out or a special treat. You could also create a scavenger hunt of sorts, keeping your eyes open to see how many Christmas sweaters you can find, which store has the longest line, the most packages you see someone carrying, etc. Small things can help you remain present in the moment and add special fun to you time.
Day Eleven: Read a Special Book
There are a lot of fun Christmas Themed books & many are available at your local library. But, a few that are more difficult to find there include:
- Red Ranger Came Calling by:Berkeley Breathed
- Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
- Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado
- Santa’s Sleigh is on its way to MN by Eric James
- Olaf’s Night Before Christmas by Disney Press
- The Three Gifts of Christmas by Jennie Bishop
Day Twelve: Read the Christmas Story as a Family
No matter when or how (or what version you use), take the time to read the Christmas Story as a family. Yes, it is a familiar story. Yes, it might feel awkward if you haven’t done it before. Yes, the kids might get antsy. But, it will be worth it! Taking the time to remember & treasure the first Christmas—and invite Jesus to be a part of this Christmas—is invaluable. I recommend reading the account found in the Luke: 1:26-38 & 2:1-20. (The account of the Magi or wise men is found in Matthew 2, if you would like to include that.)