Making The Countdown Count
The Christmas season is here and in full force! I am sure by now you have your shopping lists made, the tree is beautifully decorated, and your days are being filled with to-dos. This is one of the most magical times of the year, but as we all know... it can very well turn into a stressful time as well. For me, it isn't the stress that bothers me; what bothers me is how fast the season can go. From all of the holiday parties, the Christmas shopping, and don't forget the family "get togethers"... it can feel like Christmas flies by.
One thing I remember as a kid was this small little Christmas tree that we had. It was a Christmas countdown tree that my Grandmother had gifted to us girls. Each little drawer would hold a small ornament to place on the tree, along with a small piece of paper. She had taken the time to cut out these small strips of paper from a magazine, that listed activities we could do together as a family. Some of the activities were simple as writing a card to someone, while others could turn quite messy like baking Christmas cookies (with all the sprinkles). I remember when my mom gave this tree to me a few years ago, I was so excited to do this with my family. Some of the activities would take some prep work, but most were very easy to do. All it took was effort and a "want" to create these special moments.
Despite some of the tiny drawers that are missing and the twinkly lights that don't work, this tree is still a favorite and we have added our own spin to the strips of paper. There are 25 "mini adventures" or activities to do together as a family. These are the things that make this season so magical! Yes, it truly is as warm and fuzzy as it sounds when we realize that this season, the Christmas season, is all about the memories that we make together. Because in the end... that's all we have, isn't it?
Check out some of our ideas from our Christmas Countdown:
Read the Christmas Story.
Cook a meal for someone that might have a hard time during this time of year.
Send a happy Christmas note to someone.
Sit around the dinner table and talk about your family Christmas memories.
Listen to Christmas music during bath time.
Gather all of the jackets/coats that you no longer use, and hang them on bridges or on benches.
Enjoy a sweet treat and be sure to treat someone else.
Pop popcorn and watch a Christmas movie.
Make salt dough ornaments.
Buy a gift for a child and take it to the local Women's Shelter.
Have a picnic dinner by the fireplace.
Take treats by the fire station.
Go on a Christmas light scavenger hunt.
Make Jesus a birthday cake.
Do you have a Christmas Countdown tradition?