Leave it to Christmas to bring me out of my silence. I sat down today and realized it was November 29 and that we start our Advent calendar on Saturday. I had nothing planned. As most of you know, this is one of my favorite traditions. I’ve written about it before here, here, here, and for a really honest account here.
Our hope as a family is to keep this season calm, special and focused on Jesus, family and friends. It seems that the desire scale back and focus on those in need and what really matters grows each year. This year, Jeff and I were really impacted by the election spending numbers. Right on the tail of that, comes the projected holiday spending figures and they make me sad. So, so much good for those who really need help could be done with that money and instead the figurative “we” find ourselves leaving the Thanksgiving table early to add to the abundance we already have.
Some of the post I’ve seen recently that have a variety of ideas are at Rage Against the Minivan and Tara Whitney’s Blog. There are, of course, tons others.
There are so many people and organizations ready to help make this a truly impactful and meaningful Christmas. Since the posts have already been written, I’ll simply link to them. I’ve already signed up for Pure Charity and can’t believe how easy it is. We’re also doing some different things gift wise around here. Yes, our kids and the other littles in our family are still getting gifts (though they’ve always been limited) but we’re doing something new for everyone else (and we’ve asked them to do the same for us).
Anyway, I really came here to share this year’s advent plan. My hope is that it will give you ideas of ways you can make this season more about people and love and less about stuff.
- Christmas Market and Tree Lighting in Spilimbergo
- Read “The Legend of the Candy Cane” and make candy cane cookies
- Make cards for family and friends
- Make paper snowflake garland
- Choose two toys to donate
- Make gratitude garland
- Watch “Polar Express” and eat Christmas cookies
- Make gingerbread house
- Gingerbread pancakes for breakfast
- Bake sugar cookies
- Decorate cookies
- Leave anonymous encouraging notes
- Make hand and foot reindeer
- Write a letter to our Compassion kids
- Go see the Nativities in Pofobro
- Make teacher gifts
- Watch “Rudolph”
- Have a picnic dinner under the tree
- Take goodies to school for friends (Rollo pretzels)
- Make treats for the birds
- Take an evening walk and have cocoa afterward
- Go to the Christmas Market in Villach
- FaceTime family and sing carols
- Read the Christmas Story from Luke
Mama and More 