Advent Preparations

The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. It is traditionally a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus' birth at Christmas.  Modern traditions do a lot of celebrating of Christmas before Christmas actually starts and our family's traditions are a bit of a blend of both.  Our tradition involves an advent calendar with activities and sometimes gifts building up to Christmas.  (Our plan last year is here, but did vary a bit in the end.  You can also see the Clever Faeries plan by my friend Chrissie).

This year we are trying individual Advent Calendars for each kid.  They will be surprised on December 1 (yes, we're going by the month here, not the church calendar for simplicity and to jive with my December Daily memory keeping).  We are also going to try using our Advent wreath as they have them at school and asked for one at home and I'm glad to do it.

B will get the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar, and M will get"Christmas Post Office" Advent Calendar by Playmobil, and yes these choices were inspired by Ali Edwards (and Chrissie). Each day they will get a little individual treat in these, so our family advent calendar will focus more on things we do together.  I do not have days assigned yet, but plan to include:

• Edmond Christmas Parade (Dec. 1 at 6:45pm)
• Set-up the Christmas tree - yes, we wait until December. 
•  Decorate their rooms/the house.  We haven't really done much in their rooms before for Christmas, but B wanted to decorate for Halloween in his room so I suspect he might for Christmas too.
• Downtown Edmond Christmas events - there are events most weekends including carolers, wagon rides, music, food, gingerbread house competitions etc. (You can read more here).
• Downtown OKC Events - there are a lot things going on in OKC too and all listed here.
• Ice Skating - maybe at the Devon rink downtown. We didn't make it last year and I REALLY want to take the kids.
• Garden lights and Free Crystal Bridge admission (Sundays in December)
• Read - Each child will get a new Christmas book.  The are getting Ten on the Sled and The Gingerbread Girl Goes Animal Crackers (upon Chrissie's recommendation).
• Music - I bought the new Michael Buble Christmas CD, but may get a more "kid" CD too.  
• Bake Cookies
• Attend Annual Cookie Party (at the Waingright's)
• Drive through Christmas lights -- maybe Yukon or something more exciting this year as just did the Chesapeake lights last year.
• Watch Christmas Movies - I bought The Original Christmas Classics as we had trouble finding ones we liked on Netflix last year.  We also have A Charlie Brown Christmas.
• Make hot cocoa and enjoy it on the porch.
• Adopt a family - adopt a family via the local Y and have the kids help shop and pack the goodies for them.  (Alternatively, we might do the Samaratain's Purse Christmas catalogue or boxes) 
• Christmas craft day -- still working on ideas, but a must!
• Gingerbread house day-  B has asked to do this again this year, preferably with Grandma B and I told him we'd work that out as well. 
• New PJ day - I planned this for Christmas Eve last year, but then there was PJ day at school so they opened them early.  I'll be flexible with this again. (Any ideas for where to find cute PJs appreciated).
• Candy Cane Hunt - this is another inspired by Chrissie, but was a HUGE hit last year and will definitely make a reappearance.
• Set up Nativity (and read nativity story) -- in my family we move the characters towards the Nativity as it nears Christmas and add baby Jesus on Christmas itself (and wise-men on Epiphany) so we'll do that again too.
• School parties - the school will certainly have celebrations so we will let that be our activity one day.
• Visiting Santa - I'm not sure if we'll do this or not, but perhaps.  I think St. Nicholas will likely visit them at school which might be enough as B is not so in to taking pictures with strangers. 
• Christmas Puzzle or Game - not sure on this yet, but sounds fun.
• Christmas Tea - may or may not happen during Advent depending on schedules. 
• Making Christmas, Thank You, or other cards for the troops (See Stephanie's post here). 
• Other days may just be sticker day, crafts/baking, making presents, or things to read from our existing stash of books.

So, that gets us pretty close to 25 days and I actually have most of the supplies at hand.  Hooray! 

We grown-ups may have a little fun of our own too as I am hoping to get back to our monthly date night in December, possibly see the Nutcracker with my girl friends, and of course make and send Christmas cards. 

Any ideas? I'd love to hear how you prepare and celebrate the season and appreciate ideas for our own celebrations as well.