What Shall We Give?

On the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Days of Christmas

Attend the Ward Christmas Party

Every year we like to attend our ward's Christmas party at the church. There is always good food, friends to chat with and a Christmas program. This year they ended the party with a visit from Santa. It's been years since I've been in a ward that has Santa come. I understand they want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, but I believe that if Santa is done the right way he fit's into our Christmas celebration. Santa symbolizes generosity and goodwill, two very Christ-like characteristics. We simply need to emphasize that.

Have a special breakfast

Saturday morning Eduardo made a special breakfast for us. Yummy Santa pancakes!

It would have been better if Livy actually ate her breakfast, but she had fun showing her horses Santa. I guess the thought of eating Santa was too much.

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17

On the Seventeenth Day of Christmas

Watch a Christmas Movie together

We had originally planned on watching "A Christmas Carol" together. Livy wanted to watch "Signing Time" so we compromised and did The Nativity instead.

This is a beautiful show with very little speaking and only 5 minutes long. I have seen it dozens of times and each time it brings tears to my eyes. I love being able to remind Livy that even though Santa and getting presents are fun, that there is something else that we are celebrating. The true meaning of Christmas! The birth of our Savior!

I was able to find it on YouTube. Enjoy!

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16

Free personalized video message from Santa!

I just came across this on another blog and simply had to create one for Livy. This is a free video message from Santa! I entered some simple information like her name, age and where we live. I selected something that she's been working on (being nice to her sister) and what she will receive for Christmas. Super cute! Livy thought it was the neatest thing to see a message from Santa and to see a picture of herself in Santa's book!

http://portablenorthpole.tv/home

On the Sixteenth Day of Christmas

Play in the Snow

Wednesday's advent activity was supposed to be a snowy fun day outside, but instead we thankfully were hit with some warmer temperatures and melting snow. We did do some playing on Sunday after a storm (I can count that right?!)

Instead of doing an actual activity, we spent the day at our last Kindermusik class for the year, grocery shopping, and reading books.

On the Fifteenth Day of Christmas

Go to the bookstore, pick out a new Christmas book and read together

Another simple advent activity, but something that we love to do. A few weeks ago while out Christmas shopping, Livy and I stopped in the bookstore to pick out a new Christmas book for our family. For several years we always get a new book to share together. The Night Before Christmas was Livy's choice (no surprise considering she loves Santa). Tonight we cuddled up together by our Christmas tree and enjoyed the pictures in this fun classic.

My good friend shared a fun tradition that she does with her family. Something that I may have to try next Christmas! She takes 24 books (or more if you start the day after Thanksgiving) and wraps them all up and places them under the tree. Every night the children get to choose one "gift" to open and they read it together. I love this fun way to count down to Christmas, plus it probably helps the children who are so eager to open gifts. Oh! I just had a thought with this, how about making it to where the last book chosen under the tree was the bible and on Christmas Eve you share the Nativity story. We always like to read this on Christmas Eve!

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14

Christmas Traditions: Pillowcases

Last year I was inspired by several ideas in the book "Twelve Days of Christmas: Ideas for a More Meaningful Holiday Season." One idea was to give each person a special Christmas pillowcase. I thought, what a wonderful idea but why limit it just to Christmas?!

In my mind I thought as a child, eager and excited to sleep on a special pillowcase only brought out once a year. Something that would remind me of traditions and special celebrations. I want this for my children so slowly this year I have created several pillowcases for Livy. (Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween).

To continue the magic I hope my children feel around the various holidays, I finally made Livy a Christmas pillowcase.

Livy literally couldn't wait to try it out.

On the Fourteenth Day of Christmas

Family Game Night

We love games at our house so it was only natural to include it in our family advent! Livy chose to play Mighty Mind, which is challenging and educational.

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13

On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas

Dance to Christmas Music

Today we had a very simple activity, something that Livy loves to do. (I love how she puts her leg up when she dances. Perhaps she will be my ballerina in the future.)

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12

On the Eleventh & Twelfth Days of Christmas

Decorate Cookies

For Friday's advent, we finally got out of the house and went to a friend's house for a play date. Livy and her friend decorated sugar cookies. I think she preferred eating the frosting than decorating. We had a great time!

A Santa Day!

Saturday was a very special day, filled with two visits with Santa!

One thing that I love about where I live is that during this time of year Santa comes to town to visit the kids. He rides on the back of a fire truck and goes up and down every street. While the siren calls out his arrival, the children gather outside their homes for a chance to wave to Santa and get a special treat.

I was hoping to get a good picture of Santa on the firetruck, but I was too busy waving with Livy. Here you can barely see him on the truck and the people out to meet him.

After our morning visit with Santa, we headed to the city for Eduardo's Lodges Annual Family Christmas Party.

There was plenty of food, crafts and a fun bounce house for the children. And a special visit from Santa.

When Santa entered the room, Livy's face lit up with a huge smile. She quickly got up and ran to give him a hug. Later when he was getting settled she came back to the table where we were crafting, to get an ornament to give to Santa. (I will remember next year not to dress the girls in red when taking pictures with Santa, they blended right into Santa's coat.)

I don't know if Livy was nervous or extra excited to see Santa, but whenever he would ask her a question, Livy would smile (huge grin) and nod her head. He could have asked her anything and she would have agreed to it.

Livy loves Santa. I hope that she will always love him and what he symbolizes; generosity and good will and make that a part of her life.

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10