Intentional Advent
Intentional Advent: Slowing Down to Celebrate the Season of Christmas Together
With the holidays approaching, it’s easy to get caught up hurriedly rushing from one activity or event to the next, only to realize at the end of the year that time has passed so quickly that you didn’t get a chance to slow down long enough to really enjoy it. Our time is one of our greatest resources and one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love, which is why it’s so important that we are intentional with how we’re spending it. For this Christmas season, we’ve curated a list of activities you can do together with your family- one for each day of Advent, December 1-25. We also included a list of Bible reading resources you can utilize during this season. This isn’t about piling more on your to-do list, but rather cultivating quality time together and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. The great thing about this list is that you may already be doing some of these activities to get ready for Christmas anyway, so why not get everyone involved?
Tips for Making Your Advent Calendar:
Think through your calendar for the month of December. Plan more labor or time-intensive activities on days where your schedule is lighter.
Buy or make an Advent calendar that can be displayed in your home. Each day let your kids open and read what that day’s activity will be. Anticipation of what the next day will bring will build your kids’ excitement and your enjoyment as you see the season through their eyes.
Don’t stress. If one day turns out to be unexpectedly busy, simply switch that day’s activity for something more low key, like drinking hot chocolate together (maybe make yours a coffee or tea if it’s been a particularly harried day).
Advent Activities:
Bake Christmas cookies.
Put up and decorate a Christmas tree.
Watch a Christmas movie.
Read the Christmas story together as a family.
Put up a Nativity and talk about the story of each of the characters.
Sing Christmas songs together or go caroling.
Enjoy a cup of warm cider together. You can buy cider or make your own by heating apple juice and cider spices or red-hot candies on the stove.
Go look at Christmas lights in your neighborhood or at a Christmas light display.
Do a Christmas craft together (Pinterest is your best friend for this).
Play in the snow: sled, have a snowball fight, or build a snowman.
Write and mail Christmas cards.
Read Christmas books.
Let the kids make their own Christmas ornament. With some hot glue, popsicle sticks, and ribbon (and adult supervision), you can make snowflake ornaments, or you can find many free printable ornament templates online for smaller children to color. The possibilities are endless.
Decorate a gingerbread house.
Drink hot chocolate.
Volunteer together or do an act of kindness for someone else. If you need ideas, check out the “25 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness” article in this issue[a].
Make a Christmas garland. For little kids, you can make construction paper chains, and for older kids/adults you can string popcorn on fishing line or string dried cranberries and orange slices on twine.
Have a “picnic” under the Christmas tree.
Host or go to a Christmas party.
If you exchange presents, get the kids involved in Christmas shopping. Let them pick out a thoughtful gift for their sibling or parent.
Make Christmas-themed treats to give away to loved ones and friends.
Go to a Christmas play or festival.
Wrap presents.
Attend a Christmas Eve service.
Merry Christmas!
Guest Blogger- Kate Clingan
Katie Clingan lives with her husband, Todd, and three sons in southwestern Pennsylvania. On a typical day, you can find her taking care of her newborn twins, Everett and Axel, while chasing around her toddler, Sawyer. Katie has a Master's degree in International Development and has always had a heart to help others. She currently works part time in the emergency management and business continuity field. In her down time, she loves being outdoors, gardening, and time spent reading a good book.
Instagram: @kateclingan