I'm trying to get ahead of Christmas this year. I know that probably annoys some people but nothing ticks me off more than when a holiday sneaks up on me like Halloween did this year and I'm out there scrambling to plug in the lights 15 minutes before the trick-or-treaters start knocking. I get so frustrated with myself when I'm packing up the Christmas decorations and all of my holiday ideas promising that next year I'll get organized on-time. There is about a 9% chance of me actually pulling off this Advent calendar (especially every day) but I'm going to try. Below is my list (along with what I'll use for the calendar). I think I'm worried probably because a lot of my ideas are just too involved to pull off at night after we all get home at dark from a busy day. I'd love any simpler, cheaper ideas for counting down the days until Christmas with the kids. What do you do?
1. Watch Charlie Brown Christmas - hint to where it is hidden in the house
2. Hang Christmas lights up outside - something that lights up and is Christmasy
3. Take food to a local shelter - something small and non-perishable
4. Make Christmas cookies - sprinkles! The girl loves sprinkles.
5. Pick out a Christmas tree and decorate it - a small ornament
6. Drink hot chocolate - marshmallows and clue to where to find holiday mugs and hot chocolate
7. Sing Christmas carols - new Christmas CD
8. Make a Christmas paper chain - Strips of paper and glue
9. Go Christmas shopping - $ for each of them to shop for eachother
10. Wrap presents - ribbons and Christmas stamps
11. Drive around and look at Christmas lights - Small battery operated light string
12. Make photo ornaments - Photo of each kid and hint about where to find the rest of the project
13. Make a gingerbread house - Gumdrops and candy to decorate the houses with
14. Make a paper Christmas tree - sparkly ornament stickers to decorate them with
15. Visit Bentleyville - tickets
16. Ride the Polar Express - tickets
17. Visit Santa and his reindeer - carrots for reindeer and paper to make a list for Santa
18. Stay up late - coupon for staying up late
19. Put money in the Salvation Army bucket - $ for each kid
20. Sing Jingle Bells - jingle bells for each of them
21. Draw a Christmas picture for grandparents - new craft supplies
22. Decorate the windows - Renee's favorite, window stickers!
23. Make a holiday centerpiece for the table - sprig of evergreen and some ribbon
24. Make bookmarks for your teachers - pom poms and eyes - http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=25411
Totally realistic considering I work full-time, huh? Also on the totally realistic list are a whole bunch of handmade gifts like these beach bags and these ruffled aprons and these quilted coasters and these wine sleeves that I'm sure I'll totally get done on time. Did I mention the ruffled stockings I'm totally making? Yeah. I should have started getting ready for Christmas in July.