Each year, from December 1 through January 1, we set up a holiday countdown for the kids. They are big enough that they don't need it to keep track of the days (in fact, there are certain things I can no longer include, because they are such a given, including them in the countdown would detract from the anticipation and joy the kids still get), but the countdown is one of the favorite anchors of the holidays for all of us. Below is the list of activities that were included in the countdown. I have really long list that I have created over the years, which I cut into little strips, each strip with a message, so one strip gets tucked into each countdown sock. As you can see, we celebrate a lot in December. Today seems like a fitting day to finally post as we wind down with the 12th day of Christmas. The 12 days of Christmas isn't something we have historically celebrated, but last year, we listened to the Advent stories and then the 12 days of Christmas stories from Sparkle Stories. We loved them and did so again this year. Today was the final day. With that, the holidays come to a close and the new year truly commences.
December
- Change nature table
- Pull out the holiday books
- Have a party!
- Make paper snowflakes
- Have a lunch date out!
- Happy St. Nicholas' Day!
- Outing with Grandma and Nonno
- Pull out holiday decorations
- Take care of our bird friends
- Get a Christmas tree!
- Decorate the tree and watch Yogi's First Christmas (a family tradition!)
- Treasure Hunt
- Decorate a wreath for Grannie
- Merry Making
- Pick a candy cane from the tree
- Write holiday cards for a stranger to appreciate
- See Bethlehem scene
- Go to a winter concert
- Make a lantern
- Solstice Eve lantern walk. Think of others today. What can you do or say to someone else that would be especially kind?
- Make a new menorah (just Little Brown Mouse)
- Dip beeswax candles
- Treasure Hunt
- Make gingerbread houses
- Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!
- See neighborhood holiday lights
- Make latkes and applesauce
- Play dreidel
- Create a Tommy Tomten booklet and print card (Both kids love this book series)
- Enjoy a Hanukkah doughnut
- See holiday lights and enjoy family game night with a fire
January 1. New Year winter spiral walk
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