Christmas Bucket List

A few years ago, a dear friend and co-worker, Sandy F., told me how she would sit down with her calendar over Thanksgiving break and write a family activity on each date. Then she would cover each square (with foil I think) and each day one of her four children would uncover that day's activity with great anticipation.

She inspired me to make a similar list and I have added to it each year. I am in the process of adding recipes to this list as well as pictures of each of the crafts. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to elaborate. Please share your family traditions.

1. Bake cookies: Candy Cane Twists, Holiday Wreaths, Meringue Snowflakes, Red and Green Holiday Pinwheels, Stained Glass Cookies, Raspberry Poinsettia Blossoms, Reindeer Cookies , Jingle Bell Cookie Pizza
2. Go to Santa’s Wonderland December 23rd or before (you don’t know how weather will be)
3. Visit Nursing Home-caroling
4. Take treats to priest/doctors
5. Go to a Movie
6. St. Nicholas Day-read story about St. Nicholas and watch Veggie Tales
7. Games Night
8. Puzzle Night
9. Christmas Parade (1st weekend)
10. Make Gingerbread house/cookies
11. Make Jesus’ birthday cake
12. Make a clay dough ornament with cookie cutters.
13. Make choc dipped reindeer pretzels14. Make countdown chain
15. Make & decorate Advent cookie bouquet
16. Movie night- (Charlie Brown, It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street, Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Elf, etc....) with hot chocolate, Wassail, or hot cider.
17. 24th read story of Christmas-Luke
18. Make reindeer food
19. Bake candy cane twist cookies & read legend of candy cane
20. Make Advent wreath beads/bracelet
21. Ice Skating
22. Crafts with popsicle sticks (See Oriental trading.com for ideas)
23. Make reindeer Krispie Treats, Santa Claus Krispie Treats, or “holiday” Krispie Treats ,
24. Shop in Calvert?
25. Christmas in the Park26. Legend of the Christmas Tree
27. Make S’Mores
28. Gatti Town
29. Horseshoe Junction (go carts, mini golf, etc… in Brenham)
30. Elf on the Shelf ($30 @ Hallmark)
31. Paper plate crafts (see Oriental Trading’s website) . Gingerbread plate.
32. Tissue paper crafts (candy cane, wreath, tree, stocking)
33. “Stained glass” crafts (on transparency or laminating film). Print one of the coloring pages. Place a clear transparency page or laminating film on top. Tape them well. Let the kids color with Sharpies. Saran Wrap works, too. Hang the finished product in the window, or place on top of foil and cover a paper plate for a different look.
34. You and your kids enter a baking contest (College Station’s @ Christmas in the Park)
35. Ice Sculpting (click here).
36. Make an Advent Activity Chain. Here is one I found online. It is not the same as Lauren brought home from church. Here is another one. Here is the Nativity Story on a chain.
37. Santa pom-pom countdown to Christmas.
38. Let your child(ren) pick from the giving tree at church (or Salvation Army tree at the mall) and buy a gift for the less fortunate.
39. (Do this Thanksgiving weekend)- Wrap all your Christmas storybooks and let the kids take turns opening one each night. That's the bedtime story! Thanks, Jennie F!
40. (Again, print this Thanksgiving weekend)-Print this Santa Advent countdown on cardstock. make sure you have plenty of cotton!
41. Here is the link to the Advent Chain my daughter brought home from Religous Education this year. The teacher copied the links on purple and pink to correspond with the candles. Lauren ABSOLUTELY loved doing this and got upset if she couldn't do each one right away!
42. Handprint crafts: Help the kids paint their hands green and paint into a wreath, Santa, reindeer, Poinsettia, or Christmas tree pattern.

43. Make these adorable Melted Snowman Oreo Cookies by Idea Room Blog. Scroll down below the "pops".
44. Make homemade Candy Cane Marshmallows.
45. Make Mint Thins
46. Pringles can Nutcracker, Santa, Elf, or many others.
47. Print these Nativity stick puppets and recreate the Nativity Story.

48. Bake cookies and send to troops overseas.

49. Make these "Pretty Plastic Light Catchers."
50. Make these Advent Boxes. There is a box for each day in the month of December (up to Christmas Day). Each box holds a small item and a scripture (or Biblical principal) to go along with each day.

51. Make this Advent mantle display from Shower of Roses.

Here are posts from previous years. I hope to consolidate the lists soon.

Christmas 2008

Pictures will be posted ASAP!

We managed to have a wonderful 1st planned Christmas at home. Last year my parents came here because Abby was less than a week old. In all years before, Christmas Eve was spent with my parents and Christmas Day we'd go to my uncle's for the BIG family get-together. Even though Stephen and I have only been married 5 years, he too looked forward to this get-together after just the first one. All my aunts and uncles would come and most of my 8 cousins plus their spouses and children. The table would be filled with Christmas goodies, there were plenty of Christmas 'spirits' and music would be playing. Everyone would mingle and visit until it was time for the kids to open their gifts. Many years ago we would all bring our instruments and play Christmas carols. I was disappointed that we couldn't make it last year. Little did I know that we would not continue this tradition this year. When I finally accepted that no one was going to have the big family party, I started planning new traditions of our own. I can only hope that one day my home will be the one that my family looks forward to coming to for Christmas.

Christmas Eve was busier than I had planned. We decided to go to 7:30 mass instead of 5:00 because believe it or not, Lauren naps until 5:00 and she'd probably sleep longer if we didn't wake her up. I just didn't see how we would be able to unwrap presents, eat breakfast, get dressed, and be out the door for mass on Christmas Day. We had dinner at 6:00 and left by 7:00 to get a good seat. The kids didn't make it through half the mass so we took our places in the Narthex and I hate to admit it, but we left after communion. It was already 8:40 and we still had much to do before putting the kids to bed. We finished decorating Santa's cookies, we made reindeer food, and we read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Next year I'd like to watch The Polar Express. The kids were in bed by 10, Stephen and I stayed up until almost 1 making sure everything would be perfect Christmas morning.

It was so nice not being rushed to get dressed and get out the door. We didn't even change clothes. We just let the kids unwrap and play with their toys all day long. I'm not sure what it is but it brings us so much joy to watch the kids open each and every present. Their reactions and the looks on their faces are priceless. We enjoy watching them play with their gifts throughout the year and remember who gave it to them.

We went up to Fort Worth on the 26th to see our parents.

The 27th was spent with Stephen's family and I was thrilled to see Lauren, Caleb, and Abby play with their big cousins.

The 28th we went to see my aunt and uncle. My cousin, Nick, was actually home from overseas and I actually got to visit with his girlfriend. The kids made up their own games in the backyard and collected pinecones. At one point Lauren hugged the enormous pine tree and shook with all her might to see if she could get anymore pinecones to fall.

Each day that we were there, we called IKEA in Frisco to see if our baskets were in. Each day they were not. See, back in June we rented a trailer and went to IKEA in Round Rock (2 hours away) to get our shelving units plus 10 baskets. We went back in July to get more baskets but when we got there, they were out!

Late Sunday night the IKEA gods must have heard my pleas because when we checked online, more baskets had come in. So we took a 45 minute detour north before coming home yesterday. We even found some nice sturdy shelves to hang above the fridge for more storage. And I am one happy momma that got to reorganize all the kids toys in the playroom today! That means that tomorrow I'll be bringing up all the new toys from the living room and we'll be reorganizing the living room. Then we'll make our way to the kitchen and hopefully I'll have one organized house before Abby's birthday party on Saturday. Then I'll get to start all over!

Christmas Survey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial for now

3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? After the visit of the three wise men (January 6)

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Baby Alive from my grandfather

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? My children

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't remember

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The original Miracle on 34th Street

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? a few months before

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade Candy

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, lots

17. Favorite Christmas song? I can't pick just one, I LOVE Christmas music

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home this year for the first time.

19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? Yep

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A bow this year...long story

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Not having enough time to get it all done

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? This year we have our own tree downstairs and it is red and green

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, & lots of pies and candy.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Haven't thought about it much

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Everyone

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? who thought of this question anyway?

I am adding my own questions (SA)

28. Favorite coffee/creamer flavor? Pumpkin spice

29. Favorite pie? Bourbon Pecan Pie

30. Do you attend Christmas services/mass? Yes

31. Favorite Christmas candle scent? Apple cinnamon but it gives me migraines so we have candy cane right now.

32. What do you do on Christmas Eve? Last year we tracked Santa on the internet, made Santa's cookies and reindeer food. Then my mom read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas right before we put the kids to bed. A memory I will always treasure now that she is gone.
33. Do you have an Advent Wreath in your home? Yes

34. Have you already sent your Christmas cards? Yes-amazingly

35. Do you hang lights on your home? Yes

36. Favorite school memories: All the fun arts and crafts, especially those with glitter and sequins

37. Favorite memory: When I was a little girl we always spent Christmas Eve at my grandmother's. We went to midnight mass, opened one gift, and went to bed in anticipation of Santa. I remember hearing sleigh bells after mass and one year as Uncle Chris was tucking my cousins and I into bed, he showed us Rudolph's nose (the light on top of the water tower). I hope to make Christmas memorable for my kids like they were for me!

12 Days of Christmas

So when really are the 12 Days of Christmas? And where did that crazy song come from? As Kathleen explains it: The Twelve days of Christmas are between Christmas and Epiphany or “We Three Kings (The Magi or Three Wiseman) Day”, January 6th. It is thought by some that it took the Three Wise Men twelve days to travel to Bethlehem. In the Catholic Church Christmas season doesn’t officially begin until Christmas Day and ends when the Wise Men bring gifts to their Savior in Bethlehem. Few practice this tradition of giving in the United States but some still do.

The Christmas carol is thought to be written by a Catholic and an Englishman, as the song originates from Great Britain, sometime before or during the 16th century. It was popular in Great Britain and Scandinavia during this time, which is why many believe that the song had a powerful sub message due to persecution. We may never know for sure but the attributed meanings are still very relevant and for those who want to teach their children a few Bible lessons, this song is a wonderful tool.

My True Love — God (The Trinity – three in one) Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, John 14:6, John 17:11, 20-22, 1 John 5:7Me — The Baptized Christian
Partridge in a Pear Tree — Jesus Christ our Savior
Two Turtle Doves — The Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens — Faith, Hope and Love (1 Corinthians 13)
Four Calling Birds — The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Five Gold Rings — The First Five Books of the Bible (Pentateuch)
Six Geese A-Laying — The Six Days of Creation (Genesis 1)
Seven Swans A-Swimming — The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12-14, Isaiah 11: 2-3)
Eight Maids A-Milking — The Eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-12)
Nine Ladies Dancing — The Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
Ten Lords A-Leaping — The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21, Matthew 22: 36-40)
Eleven Pipers Piping — The Eleven Faithful Disciples
Twelve Drummers Drumming — The Twelve Points of the Apostle’s Creed, The Twelve Tribes of Israel, The Twelve Days of Christmas

Isn't that neat? Now you know!

Christmas version of getting to know you...

I keep getting these from different friends. Some of the questions are the same, some are different so I have combined them and my OCD personality made me organize them so the tree questions are together and the gift questions are together...somebody stop me! So...here it is:

1. When do you put your decorations up? The day after Thanksgiving while watching the Aggies beat t.u. WHOOP!
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial for now
3. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? It's mostly maroon and gold with Aggie ornaments of course but each year brings more Hallmark ornaments-we need another tree- or at least space for another tree
4. What is on top of your tree? An angel in a maroon dress
5. Colored or white lights? White but I do miss the blinking colored lights from my childhood
6. Do you hang mistletoe? always forget
7. When do you take your tree down? after January 6 (Epiphany)
8. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
9. When do you start shopping for Christmas? whenever I see that perfect gift.
10. Hardest person to buy for? my parents and his parents
11. Easiest person to buy for? kids
12. Worst gift you ever received? I don't remember
13. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Wrapping paper
14. Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Wraps them all in Santa paper
15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Only at Chinese Gift Exchange
16. Open Christmas presents Christmas eve or Morning? Morning
17. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, we did as kids, after midnight mass
18. Do you remember your favorite gift? I'd have to think for awhile
19. Which do you like best giving or receiving? Giving
20. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? mail!
21. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Usually travel but can’t this year- too close to due date
22. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? ABSOLUTELY!
23. Most annoying thing about this time of year? School doesn’t get out until Dec. 21
24. What you love most about Christmas? Faith, Family, Friends, decorations, music
25. Favorite Christmas tradition? Going to my mom's family's get together
26. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? EGG NOG!! have some in my fridge and Stephen doesn't like it so it's mine all mine!
27. What is your favorite holiday dish? I think I like it all the same...
28. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Pecan Pie and all the candy (fudge, truffles, etc..) that my Aunt Joanie makes (I make a lot now too)
29. Do you like candy canes? yes
30. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Going to Mommiegrans on Christmas Eve every year...going to midnight mass with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. Hearing Santa's sleigh bells as we left mass, and all the fun with the cousins the next day! One year Uncle Chris put all the kids to bed and showed us Rudloph's nose (water tower light)
31. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Huh? What do you mean?
32. Snow: Love it or hate it? Love it – never get it
33. Can you ice skate? Yes but it's been years!
34. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and creating new memories with my children which includes teaching them about The True Gift God gave to us
35. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh my gosh, I like them all. I'm making a list this year of all my favorite artists for each song in case I get an iPOD. I do get choked up when I hear, "Let There Be Peace On Earth" and "Angels We Have Heard On High"
36. What is your favorite holiday movie? The original Miracle on 34th Street

So there you have it. That's what I love about Christmas!

25 (or more) Family Activities

In addition to the 25 sweets recipes in 25 days, I would like to post some ideas for Advent/Christmas family activities. I did start an Advent section.
Thanks Aunt Carolyn!

A co-worker and also friend from church shared a family tradition with me that I want to start this year. She said that each Thanksgiving weekend she would lock herself in her room with a calendar and fill in each day in December with something fun their family would do together. Then, she would cover each day with a tear-away flap and each day a different child got to reveal the exciting event. Her 4 children are now college-aged and she said the youngest was upset last year when she did not make the calendar.

Here are some ideas but I would really love to hear your ideas as well:
1. Help your children make an Advent wreath-
a) get a mini wreath and mini candles at the craft store
b) string green tri-beads on a pipe cleaner...6 green, one pink (for the pink candle), 6 green.....
c) make a countdown chain either red & green for Christmas or 6 green, one pink, 6 green...

2. Have family games night.
3. Find out when your city is having their Christmas parade and go (unless it's at naptime like ours was)!
4. Make a clay dough ornament .
5. Family movie night.
6. Dec. 6 is St. Nicholas day. Read a story about St. Nick and research world traditions about him.
7. Bake treats to give away to neighbors, doctors, clergy and church staff, etc...
8. Go deliver the treats.
9. Family puzzle night.
10. Read, 'Legend of the Candy Cane' and make candy cane cookies.
11. Make a gingerbread house and read the 'Gingerbread Man'.
12. Go to a movie.
13. Make magic reindeer food.
14. Make Jesus' birthday cake.
15. Visit a nursing home.
16. Get a name from your church's angel tree, shop for the gift, and deliver it togther.
17. Bake cookies
18. Go to Santa's Wonderland
19. Read one of Tomie de Paola's many Christian books like 'Legend of the Poinsettia'
20. Go to a local church's Living Nativity
21. Make mixes in a jar for friends and neighbors.
22. Attend a local Christmas concert. Support the local high school, their performances are free.
23. Go ice-skating.
24. Read age-appropriate story about the birth of Christ.
25. Unwrap the first gift (baby Jesus) because this was God's first gift to us.

Click on "comments" to add your ideas.