Christmas Advent

I am sure I am not alone when I say we have about 5 Christmas countdowns going at our house.  There are two many cute ideas out there to have just one!  I usually have some sort of countdown that includes either chocolate, scripture reading or some sort of Christmas activity to do as a family.  As good and fun as those are,  last year I felt that my family was a little lacking in service opportunities whether at home or in our community... So last years countdown was the first of a service countdown we did as a family.  It was a success and a great learning activity to my children on finding little ways to serve others.  So this year, I made a quick and simple advent countdown made of library pockets cut out from Lori Whitlock's files found here, and a shape tag here, and then some numbers.  They came together super quick and in each one is a little print out stapled to the card (that way I can use the envelopes and cards again another year)  The 25 tag I used this pinwheel file to make it a little bit more special.

I then strung them across my kitchen windows with string and clipped them to it with clothes pins.  Cute, but simple.

Want to know what we are doing - this is last years list, I used some of the same, but added some service to the garbage man, post delivery lady, the bus driver and a sub for Santa project we are working on for a family we know.  Some are super easy, but sometimes service doesn't have to be hard or take a lot of effort.  We read them each morning and then talk about it at dinner time.  It's a great way to add a little Christmas Cheer to our house!

2010 service/good deed list

1.            Write a letter or send a card to someone you love.

2.            Tell your sisters/brothers what you like best about them

3.            Give everyone in your family a hug and tell them how much you love them.

4.            Remember the poor, hungry and homeless in your prayers

5.            Clean your room without being asked

6.            Draw a picture or write a thank you to your teacher.

7.            Use some of your own money for the Salvation Army cup

8.            Help mom with a chore

9.            Call a grandparent just to say hello

10.       Smile and say hi to 20 people today

11.       Take treats to neighbors and friends

12.       Write a thank you to Dad to thank him for all he does for you.

13.       Be full of cheer today

14.       Read the Nativity book to a younger sibling

15.       Be extra kind to someone in the family all day with out letting them know.

16.       Tell someone about why we celebrate Christmas (not to your family)

17.       Help Dad with a chore

18.       Pray for the Prophet, missionaries in our ward, and the soldiers

19.       Sing Christmas carols

20.       Write a thank you to Mom to tell her thanks for all she does for you.

21.       Take some groceries to a food bank

22.       Give 5 compliments to strangers

23.       Play “reindeer” games with each other without arguing

24.       Write a list of things/events/people that you are most thankful for this year

25.       Say a prayer of thanks for our Savior’s Birth