Christmas Countdown - 20 more days

Merry Christmas Friends. I love this month. I love spending time reflecting on the birth of Jesus and my primary goal is to share my love for Jesus with my family and create lasting holiday memories with them. 

Each year, after the Thanksgiving Holiday (my other favorite), I hang this Countdown Calendar on the wall in our living room for my children. Each day of December, my children wake up in the morning and scurry over to the calendar to open the appropriate sachel and find a gift inside.

I have printed off clip art from the internet on little sheets of paper and folded them to fit in these tiny bags. Each clip art represents something that we are going to do together or something my children are going to receive.

Here are some examples of what is in each of the bags this year:

1. Read a Book About Christmas

This image means we are going to read a story about the birth of Jesus that night. 

2. Meet the Titanic Fantasy Princess

This image means we are going to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction and meet the Titanic Fantasy Princess

This has become a tradition in our household ever since she made her first appearance. The Titanic ‘Fantasy’ Princess is this year’s beautiful addition to the annual Titanic Christmas Winter Wonderland, which features thousands of holiday lights, Edwardian-style decorations, costumed merry-makers and a Gift Shoppe brimming with one-of-a-kind selections. Also available is a magical photo op with the princess herself.Here is the link for additional information. It's worth it. http://www.titanicbranson.com/titanic-branson-news-events.php#fantasyprincess

"The most lavish monument to the sea's most famous disaster." - USA Today

3. Make Christmas Cookies

This image means we are going to make Christmas cookies together.

4. Receive a Gift.

This image means they are going to receive a gift. 

I buy $1 gifts from Target and Michaels. Here are some of the gifts I bought this year.

$1 gifts like candy, grow a snowman, smelly markers, etc.

5. See the Miracle of Christmas at Sight and Sound Theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image means we are taking a trip to see the Miracle of Christmas play at the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, Mo. 

This play is about the birth of Jesus. Here is a link for more information, dates, times, and cost. http://www.sight-sound.com/WebSite/shows.do?showCD=MOC#m1

6. Christmas shopping money

This image means I am going to give each child $1 to use to buy Christmas gifts. 

7. Go to the Movies

This image means we are going to see the Disney movie Frozen at the movie theater.

8. Silver Dollar City

This image means I am taking the kids to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas Parade

Here is what Good Morning America has to say about visiting Silver Dollar City for the Holidays : "Don't Miss A Top 5 Spot To Light Up The Holidays!" Link: http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/festivals/An-Old-Time-Christmas.aspx?icid=aotc-sdchome-ca-2

I repeat several of these like reading Christmas stories, giving them Christmas money, and the $1 Christmas gifts. They get so excited every morning to see what adventure or present awaits them in the bag. It is fun to bless them and I know that we are creating memories together that will last forever. In fact, each November the kids ask - "Mommy, when are you going the get the Christmas Calendar out?" My answer is always....December 1. It does take a little bit of planning, but it is so worth the effort. Plus, I can teach them about the miracle of Christmas in a fun and exciting way.

What traditions do you have with your family?

Love and Blessings,

Chief Purser
Erin Wicker