An advent calendar, differently!
At home, my boyfriend often tells me that I'm in charge of the magic department! My past as a day camp leader is undoubtedly to blame. some _ thing in my life as a parent. Let's face it, children remember simple, true and pleasant moments shared as a family more than any other objects immediately given, immediately thrown away or lost!
November is coming to an end and you've just finished half a ton of Halloween candy... Do you see December coming with the famous advent calendar full of chocolates? Sugar, sugar, more sugar! Why not transform this habit into a more festive and useful event?
This is what I suggest to you: for several years, I have been reusing my good old Santa Claus calendar bought at Ikea 8 years ago. At first I put chocolates there, but over the past 2 years I have found better things to do. I slip a mission for the day to accomplish into the little box every morning. The children are then motivated to accomplish the mission given by Santa Claus.
To make your life easier, I'm sharing my list with you to inspire you to create in your own calendar. The beauty of it is that you can take some and leave some. You can organize them as you wish and change your mind if certain days are less fun, write your own missions according to your usual traditions and preparations. If you don't have an old Ikea calendar like me, a simple box decorated by the children or a few envelopes stuck to the wall will do the trick!
Here are some quick ideas
@ Write to Santa Claus;
@ Choose a game/toy/dog to donate to an organization;
@ Watch the broadcast of The Nutcracker ;
@ Pay someone a compliment;
@ Make greeting cards with our recycling (magazines, newspapers, etc.);
@ Donate clothes that no longer fit or are no longer worn to an organization;
@ Color a postcard for grandma and grandpa;
@ Make decorations with recycled objects and/or dry pasta;
@ Offer help to someone;
@ Camp under the tree with the whole family;
@ Watch a Christmas movie;
@ Cook pancakes;
@ Have a living room picnic for lunch while listening to Christmas music;
@ Take a walk in the evening to look at the neighbors’ decorations;
@ Prepare chocolate milk;
@ Visit an outdoor Christmas market;
@ Look at a photo album of past Christmases;
@ Decorate the house;
@ Make a paper snowflake craft;
@ Call a friend or family member who is far away to sing them a holiday hymn;
@ Choose a special edition of holiday cereal at the grocery store (like Rice @ Krispies with red and green grains);
@ Go out at daybreak to catch some snowflakes;
@ Dress casually with our most beautiful hoodies ;
@ Wrap a small surprise for each child and hide it around the house.
@ Hang your Christmas stocking;
@ Read a Christmas story in your pajamas;
@ Candlelight dinner with holiday music;
@ Do a Christmas candy treasure hunt around the house. Then position them in the tree;
@ Prepare a card or small present for teachers or educators;
@ It could even be vacuuming with a Christmas hat on your head. ;)
In summary, create missions and place them in the order that suits you. What I like about this principle is that we integrate the tasks that we have to prepare anyway, but involve the children in the process of the list of things to do before Christmas. It takes away stress! Have fun and above all don't hesitate to share with us your good moves and the photo of your homemade calendar.
Good preparations :)
Hyacinth
I have what you need to slip into your Christmas stockings! Why not one of our versatile headbands that will be useful all year round or one of our reversible toques that will go well under a ski or skate helmet this winter?
