Christmas Advent Activity Calendar

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Every year we have an Advent Activity Calendar where we plan a holiday activity that helps us focus on our family during the holidays. It can be something as simple as read a Christmas story or elaborate as get dressed up and go see the Nutcracker (me teenage boys were thrilled with that one). The activities are a combination of fun, meaningful and service oriented activities.

In previous years, I used this for our Advent Activity Calendar, but it broke last year and I was looking for something to replace it. Last year I picked up the Threshold Countdown Garland that was priced at only $12.99. I thought it was a great deal! We’re using it again this year!

When planning I break them up into things that need to e planned in advance, things that require some effort and those that require little effort. The ones that require planning are usually events I already have on our calendar or things that will be done on weekends when we have more time. I save the items with little effort for the busy school nights. Here is a list of some activities we’ll be doing this December. Every list will be different for every family, but I hope this gives you some inspiration for some activities12.

Planned in advance

Go to Snowflake Lane
Go to church Christmas party
See the new Star Wars movie
Go to family Christmas party
Go to Goodwill, everybody buys an ugly Christmas sweater and we take a family picture
Visit Bellevue Nativity

Requires some effort

Make chocolate covered Pretzels
Do a service for another family
Bring food to the food bank
Get names of the giving tree and buy gifts
Bake cookies for neighbors
Decorate Gingerbread houses
Bake Gingerbread cupcakes
Make ornaments

Little effort required

Drive around and look at Christmas lights
Drink hot chocolate by the Christmas tree
Share your favorite Christmas memory
Family Game night
Watch a Christmas movie with treats (kids choice)
Watch a Christmas movie with treats (parents choice)
Call Grandma & Grandpa
Read the Christmas story in the scriptures
Sing our favorite Christmas songs
Write a Christmas letter to someone

You can write out or print your list on paper, roll them up and tie with ribbon. Slip each rolled up paper into the stockings. You are all set to have a fun filled holiday with lots of family fun. These garlands would be great for this type of Advent Activity Calendar: