Christmas Family Traditions

As Sarah and Parker grow older, Kelly and I wanted to celebrate some fun family traditions around the holidays, especially Advent. One of the really cool things that we have done is buy a cool Advent house from Costco. Everyday has been something new and special for the kids as we have tried to balance fun, family and sacred elements to this experience. Here is a list of things we have done:

Go see Christmas lights at night.
Make Christmas cookies
Watch a Christmas movie together and make popcorn.
Go buy a Christmas tree.
Decorate the Christmas tree.
Set up the Christmas train.
Read the Christmas story from the Bible and act it out.
Read Twas the Night before Christmas
Give clothes and/or toys away to Goodwill.
Serve together as a family.
Go shopping for present for Daddy from Sarah & Parker.
Go shopping for present for Mommy from Sarah & Parker.
Make Christmas cards for Granny & Grandad and Mamau & Papau.
Make Christmas ornament/craft for family.
Go downtown to see Christmas lights.
Go see Christmas lights at the zoo.
Buy a Christmas movie or music CD.
Take Christmas cookies to neighbors.
Go see Santa & tell him what you want for Christmas.
Camp out around Christmas tree.
Buy toys for needy kids/Toys for Tots.
Build a snowman (since no snow this year we substituted our small group Xmas party).
Have Christmas cookies or candy with hot chocolate.
Make a Christmas craft and color Christmas coloring sheet.

Sarah and Parker have taken turns at opening the doors of the house to see what surprise treat and experience is inside. It is just about the last thing they talk about before we put them down for bed. And it is the first thing they ask about when they wake up in the morning. Their eyes sparkle and feet dance as they tug Kelly down the hall and into the family room. It's pretty cool.

Obviously there are a ton of options you could do. If you have any ideas please leave a comment. Please use this idea if your family is searching for creative and meaningful ways to live out Christmas in your home and community. Merry Advent!