31 Things

Hi all! It's almost December and I know this month is going to be incredibly busy for everyone, (with shopping, traveling, decorating, class parties & projects) but I wanted to post a list of things to do with kids and family! Most of these won't cost you anything but time (I'm all for low budget crafts and ideas right now!) and hopefully you'll have some fun in the process. Just think of the many photo opts for your December journal. :)

 1. start a Family Advent Calendar

2. donate canned food (this will make room in your pantry too!) 

3. decorate your home

4. make reindeer food (1/2 cup oatmeal, and a dash of glitter - sprinkle outside to attract Santa's reindeer)

5. take your child(ren) to see the snow this year & go sledding

6. make hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie as a family

7. be a secret Santa to someone unexpected

8. donate old coats to charity

9. make dinner for someone who could use a night off this month

10. read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve

11. volunteer to wrap gifts for someone 

12. visit Santa at the Mall

13. make paper snowflakes from coffee filters

14. bake cookies and decorate as a family

15. host a gift wrapping party

16. build a fire and roast marshmallows

17. host an ornament making party for the kids in the neighborhood 

18. make paper ornaments and let the kids decorate

19. write a letter to Santa

20. leave an apple or carrots for Santa's reindeer

21. play an old Christmas record or cd as background music for dinner tonight

22. write a letter to our troops stationed over seas this Holiday

23. sort through your kids' toy box and bookcases to donate old or unloved items

24. make a 'magic key' for Santa to use if you don't have a fireplace this year

25. bundle up and take a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights

26. simmer orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and some water to make your home smell wonderful

27. start an ornament exchange with family members and guests (we do this during Christmas dinner, I have a sleigh full of wrapped ornaments)

28. donate any extra blankets or quilts to a local charity

29. make time to hold a family game night

30. take your children to the library to read Christmas stories from around the world

31. spend an afternoon making peanut butter and bird seed pine cones, tie to a tree and watch the birds come to visit

~

After a long day this month, kick your feet up, enjoy a cup of hot apple cider and remember to breathe! I'm actually really excited for my to-do list this month as well as spending lots of time at school helping out in the classroom. (Usually I'd be a bit frazzled thinking about how much needs to happen this month.) I think with this year being our first in the new house, I'm feeling more energized and ready for the holiday. Chase is really helping too, he understands so much more this year that it's fun to now be able to include both him and Alaina in all of our holiday plans. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! 

Have a splendid weekend everyone! ~ Tara