12.03.2009

Keeping the Holidays Merry and Bright!

Happy December! Is it just me, or did it seem like we skipped November altogether? In fact, it seems like I just put my Christmas decorations away from last year?! I love this season - everything about it (except the frigid cold here on the Canadian Prairies). I think what I love most are the traditions we share - which help us spend more meaningful time together and create lasting memories!


Last year, I created the Christmas album where I documented the special things we did each day in December. Since I'm already doing my Project 365 album this year, I thought it would be overkill to do the Christmas photo a day, too. But I still wanted a fun way to count down the days in December and let our kids discover a fun activity to do each day. Nothing like creating those fun memories!

This year I tried something new. I searched online for different Nativity clipart images and printed them off to create this fridge magnet, kid friendly nativity:
























There are 25 pieces to this nativity - one piece for each day of December leading up to Christmas. I included the 4 stable pieces in that number. On the back of each piece is a slip of paper which tells what special thing we will do that day.


The kids have enjoyed turning over the pieces to discover what fun lies ahead that day! What do we have planned? Well, here's our list:

  • Make ornaments for the tree (check)
  • Write letters to Santa Claus (check)
In fact, this is the fun paper I designed for the kids to write their letters on, using the fun brushes from Houseof3!


You can click on it to see the full size! 

  • Have an indoor picnic
  • Make a Christmas craft (better figure that one out soon!)
  • Go to the Church Christmas party!
  • First Presidency Christmas Devotional
  • Have a Family Game Night
  • Decorate a Gingerbread house
  • Have a pizza party
  • Hot chocolate and doughnuts
  • Children's Christmas party at work
  • Watch favorite Christmas movie and make popcorn
  • Perform in the Christmas Cantata
  • Make Christmas card for your teachers
  • Do an act of secret service
  • Take Christmas gifts to your teachers
  • Children's Christmas concert and movie night!
  • Have Breakfast for Dinner
  • Drive around the city and look at Christmas lights
  • Read our favorite Christmas books
  • Celebrate Mommy's birthday! 
  • Bake some cookies for Santa
  • Sleep in front of the tree
  • Act out the Nativity and open one present!
  • IT'S CHRISTMAS!

I plan to photograph each and every day - like last year - and include the photos and journaling in my Project 365 album. It will help keep my holiday merry and bright!

We are going to be having a quiet Christmas this year. Hubby can't get any extra time off work for us to travel back to visit our families, which means it's just us this year. That's bitter-sweet for me. Mostly bitter, if I'm honest with myself. Being close to family is such a huge part of what makes Christmas CHRISTMAS for me. I remember all of my sisters, their husband, and children gathering together at our house when I was growing up - the craziness, the laughter, the food (my mom's cabbage rolls and the Christmas oranges), the games, the singing. It was pure joy and elation. I'll be doing my best to recreate that on a smaller scale in our little house this year, but it still won't be *quite* the same.


8 comments:

sweet limes said...

That paper is fab Bobbi! You are seriously outstanding.

Sounds like you have lots of fun things planned with the family. Have a terrific time doing all those activities.

Andrea said...

Great ideas. I love that you have celebrate mommy's bday in there. fun.
This is our first Christmas alone too. Could be fun. Could be hungry :)

Lynn said...

I am so sorry that you won't have the holiday with family that you desire so much.......but you know something.......I think you will end up with something just as great as those memories you have still in your mind......your family list of activities is AWESOME! You are a great mom and YOUR kids will walk away with some of those fabulous memories that were created in their home........ that you still treasure from YOUR childhood.

HAve a WONDERFUL season Bobbi!

Clair said...

Looks like you've got lots of fun goodies planned. Sorry you won't be with more family- I will miss that too.

I was wondering how you rate the 365 project? I am considering it for 2010 but I'm hesitating too. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

Thanks.

Joanne said...

you know what??? it's all good. one of our favourite times were just me and the hubster. You are fabulous and what could be more fun but invite another family to celebrate christmas eve or dinner with you????

Jenn said...

What cute paper- I love that. I love your list too- I am going to add some to my list too.

Mandy said...

We are having a stay at home Christmas too this year. We felt that it was important to start our own family traditions. We might go to Calgary on boxing day, but it depends on the roads. You have a good activity list. I like it.

mommyoffour said...

I feel like I am playing catch up on your blog! :)

I seriously love these ideas and LOVE the paper you created. You are amazing!!!! How do you do it all?? I have four little girls as well and can't seem to find time for extra things. Maybe I just don't use my time wisely like you do. :)