Working On My Christmas Countdown
POSTED BY Amy at 1:38 PM
Yesterday evening I started working on my countdown to Christmas for the kids. I wanted to do something special this year and so I put my
Martha Stewart stamp set to good use last night and did a number countdown that I hope will be worth the effort.
All year long I have been shopping our local Goodwill looking for Little Golden Books for the kids. I started doing a countdown with books last Christmas and have a special fondness for these books so I wanted to do again this year. I tried to only get these on half off days (making them a quarter each) especially since Emily would be unwrapping her own books this year. I found enough books to give
them each their own set of books and I am going to make the last three days of unwrapping something really special like an ornament set or a set of coloring books and crayons. For less than twenty dollars total, I am hoping that it will make our countdown lots of fun and give us plenty of reading material until Christmas.
I wrapped each of the books
individually in newspaper and then tied the numbers 1-25 on each of the packages with ribbon. I plan to reuse these numbers in future years so I just tucked them into the ribbon without mounting them onto the package. All of the books were placed into a basket from 25-1 for the kids to open.
I also worked on activities for our very official,
"Christmas Jar." I used the list of activities from my article and pu
t them on green slips of paper. The jar was tied off with festive jingle bells and is clear so that we have a visual of how many fun things we will have left to do. I found this jar when I did my thrift sale shopping and it works perfectly for our jar of activities.
Doing these segments for our local news is helping me get things done early so that is why I am starting these activities so soon. I was excited to get this accomplished for December!
Sound Off: Do you do anything special to countdown the days until Christmas?
Labels: Holidays
12Comments:
"Hey Amy Pokey Little Puppy was my kids favorite and grandkids favorite book still have it matter of fact tattered but still have it. Their Grandma and Great Grandma who is now 94 read it to all her grandchildren and great and great great grandkids"
Michele@Philoxenos
"What a great article. Thanks for that. But do you have any Thanksgiving traditions? I just realised on Monday that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away!! Now that we live in America I want to make sure we start some traditions of our own."
carrie
"Fun ideas, Amy--thanks for sharing!"
Homemaker of the 21st Century
"My girls and I start decorating the outside of the house the day after Thanksgiving. We add new decoration inside and out each day until Christmas. But I love your idea with the books, I might do something like that next year!"
"For Thanksgiving I always send a couple of letters to people who have had a positive impact on my life. Pam"
Stephanie
"Great ideas. I love the jar."
thehomespunheart
"Last year I thought to plan one thing each day before Christmas felt like more than I could commit to - but I already have a list of 23 things this year! So, I just need a couple more. I can't wait to join in the fun!"
NeedANap2
"We do Advent, with candles, hymn, and scripture (Bible) reading. I had hoped to purchase an Advent calendar set (felt or something, velcro, animals and such) but it was sold out so I may MAKE one (um, not sure how I'm going to do that yet)."
Leanne NZ
"Hi
I'm just thinking so far of making an advent calendar - hope to get it started (and Finished) soon"
Mrs. Nichole Jordan
"Hosting a Frugal Christmas!!!
Come and Join us!
Gifts, Baking, decorating and MORE!
Nov 29!!! Spread the word!
http://nicholejordan.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-have-frugal-christmas-coming-nov.html"
Mary Beth
"We do something very similar to your jar. We began when my son, who is now almost 20, was 6 years old.
We have a fabric Advent Calendar that has an empty manger scene at the top with pockets below that hold small stuffed figurines (angels, Mary, Joseph, animals, etc) numbering 1-25. Each day a new character is placed on the Nativity Scene. To complete it, Baby Jesus is placed on Christmas day.(My kids still argue over who gets to place Baby Jesus!)
In each pocket along with the character, is a slip of paper with the special activity we do each day. My husband's schedule is very crazy so we plan ahead on which days we can go and see a Christmas movie, to see lights, go caroling, etc. We also have days to "shop for mom", "shop for dad", take goodies to friends and neighbors, read a special Christmas Book that I have purchased...making Christmas cookies, a gingerbread house...and on and on.
One of my kids favorite things is a special Candlelight dinner on one evening close to Christmas Day. They plan the menu...it could be Hamburgers and fries...but we use china, etc. and set a special table just for our family. After the candlelight dinner we gather around the piano (I play) and now my son plays the guitar...and we sing carols...play a game near the tree...just spend time together.
Another favorite is when extended family is planned to be together we act out the Christmas Story. We put all the people AND ANIMALS in a basket and everyone draws. My father in law makes an incredible Donkey! That is his favorite part to play as one of the little girls is set up to be Mary and ride Papaw's back into the inn.
We include all of these things in our Advent Calendar special activities. Just the simple things can create such togetherness.
I didn't mean for this comment to be so lengthy. SORRY!
Thanks for your blog. I have been a reader for about 2 months now. I have recommended it to many moms.
Blessings on you for all you inspire."
kailani
"What a great way to get the kids excited about Christmas! Love this idea!
Thank you for sharing this with the Carnival of Family Life. Your post will be included in the November 19th edition at An Island Life. Aloha!"
Yesterday evening I started working on my countdown to Christmas for the kids. I wanted to do something special this year and so I put my Martha Stewart stamp set to good use last night and did a number countdown that I hope will be worth the effort.
them each their own set of books and I am going to make the last three days of unwrapping something really special like an ornament set or a set of coloring books and crayons. For less than twenty dollars total, I am hoping that it will make our countdown lots of fun and give us plenty of reading material until Christmas.
t them on green slips of paper. The jar was tied off with festive jingle bells and is clear so that we have a visual of how many fun things we will have left to do. I found this jar when I did my thrift sale shopping and it works perfectly for our jar of activities.
Post a COMMENT 
12 comments 
Subscribe to this blog
STUMBLE This
Add to KiRTSY
Add to MIXX
It's DELICIOUS
