Advent

For the past few years I have been wanting to start an Advent tradition. It was perfect at the end of last season while wondering around Target, probably to waste time after church and between lunch :), Bryan spotted an advent calender on clearance. So this year I was excited to do it. Then the question arose...what do I put in it?? Growing up we never had an advent calendar so I wasn't sure where to start. Lucky for me we live in the Pinterest age so finding ideas was not hard. The hard part was choosing something that fit our family. I finally came across one that I liked and felt was suitable to what I could do with three small children. 

Here is our Advent Calendar in pictures.

#1 Put Christmas Lights

#2 Set up Nativity

 #3 Go see the Parade of Lights

 #4 Make & Play with red & green play dough

#5 Shop for Hope Christmas Store (our Church has this every year for our Neighbor's Plus ministry. We buy toys for kids who might not otherwise get anything)
#6 - Write letters to Santa
This is how we 'write' letters

Grant's

Charley's

Payton's

#7 - Go get tree

 #8 - Decorate tree

 #9 - Do Random Acts of Kindness
#10 - Make Christmas Ornaments

Left to Right: Grant's, Charley's Payton's

#11 - Bring food to food bank
#12 - Visit Santa

 #13 - Go to Live Nativity

 #14 - Go Sledding
#15 - Christmas movie night

 #16 - Shop for teacher/Pre-school gift
 #17 - Make Christmas Cookies

 #18 - Bring Cookies to Mission or some place like it
#19 - Christmas Coloring Books
#20 - Genzink Christmas Party

 #21 - Build a snowman
#22 - Go see Christmas lights
#23 - Make Ginger bread houses
#24 - Christmas Eve Service & Mimi and Grandpa's house