I am going to repost this  below.  I don’t know yet what we will add to or take away from the list this year, but I want to have it all handy again.  :)  I would LOVE to hear what you all plan for the upcoming Christmas and Advent celebrations.

I have so many wonderful resources and ideas stored on my computer that I tend to lose track of most of them.  I finally decided to post them all here so that I can always locate them!  :) 

Last year we were blessed with the loan of the book Jotham’s Journey.  This year, the same wonderful friend, Kristine, loaned us Tabitha’s Travels.  These books are a wonderful addition to our Advent celebrations and I am looking forward to beginning the Tabitha story Sunday.

Another favorite story to read each year is Night Tree by Eve Bunting.  We have enjoyed making popcorn strings and bird seed/peanut butter pinecones to hang on a “night tree” of our own.  Maybe we can add this to our list again this year....

Another favorite activity of the past was a “12 Days of Christmas” activity.  However, we chose to do this on the 12 days leading up to Christmas, not the actual 12 days of Christmas (from Dec. 25 - Jan. 6).  This would work any way you choose, I am sure.  We chose a dear elderly neighbor couple to bless with small gifts each night for 12 nights.  The gifts were not really the point, as much as the excitement shared by both the kids AND the recipients!  Each night the boys and Anna would put together a little gift along with a note card and then would sneak up and leave it on their doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away.  The first night the card said to expect the fun to continue for 12 nights ending with the “revealing” of the gift givers on the last night.  (so as not to freak people out too much!)  :)  This is the version that we basically followed, however, there are also other versions found here and here.  (Note, we added to the cards we left with the gifts by  adding the meanings of the 12 Days of Christmas found here).  Also, here is a link to coloring pages to go along with the carol “12 Days of Christmas”.  On the final night the kids did caroling for the neighbors and “revealed their identities”.  :)  It was wonderful and the neighbors truly enjoyed it.  They even wrote a letter a few weeks later thanking the kids for the special treat.  The kids got so excited about planning this each evening and making the gifts up (some were simply homemade cards and drawings) and they recognized how much joy they could give to others by simply giving of themselves. 

We have also used and enjoyed the Karen Caroe studies A Blessed Christmas (symbols of Christmas) and The Names of Jesus.  We have done one of these each year for the past several years.  The 2 links above are html... if you would prefer a pdf version for A Blessed Christmas, click here. 

Here is an Advent Coloring book you can print off online.  My online friend Debbie directed me to this Advent Inductive Study.  Another online friend, Lisa, passed along this link to an online Advent Activity calendar.

Here is a pdf download from Veritas Press on how to make an advent wreath - including scripture & readings for the 4 Sundays of Advent and Christmas Eve.  Here is a link to lots of Christmas activities and lessons.

Finally, there is a great blog post on this website filled with lots of great ideas for lapbooks and other activities.  You simply must go check it out. 

We also make it a point to enjoy several family movie nights.  Some of our must see movies this time of year include The Bishop’s Wife, Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Polar Express, Christmas with the Kranks, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Christmas in Connecticut.

And if you ever see a copy of the audio CD Precious Child for sale somewhere, be SURE to grab it as quickly as you can!  Precious Child tells the story of the events leading up to and surrounding the birth of Jesus in word and song.  It is hauntingly beautiful and worshipful.  You will find yourself listening to it year round. 

Events here locally that we simply cannot miss include the Community Christmas concert (this year I am honored to be the announcer!), the Living Nativity scene at the Christian Church and the Living Christmas Tree concert at First Baptist Church. 

Here are a few more downloadable pdf documents....

15 Christmas Carols study.pdf

Lyrics for 15 Christmas Carols study.pdf

lyrics for Blessed Christmas.pdf

Christmas Photo Ornament.pdf

advent children's books.pdf

Advent daily Bible reading and prayer.pdf

I would love to hear what your family enjoys doing during the holiday season!