For the next week leading up till Christmas, I’m going to do a series of posts on Traditions at Our House. I know there are a lot of young-marrieds and mothers who read this blog, and I thought it would be inspiring and fun to share how we have begun to create Christmas traditions in our own homes. Please be sure to join in the fun and share your traditions!
Our second year – Jesse’s first Christmas – we received a very special gift from Jeremy’s sister, Bethany: The Advent Book by Jack and Kathy Stockman. This is a beautifully illustrated book tells the Christmas story page by page behind fold out doors. Jesse enjoyed the book so much last year that he remembered a
nd asked for it when he saw it on the bookshelf for months afterward. This year it’s even more of a hit, as he now has the attention span to sit through the story as it lengthens with the opening of another door each night. He can remember which one has the Baby behind it, too.
If you are looking for a way to help your children focus on the reason for the season, this book will do it! I love how it gives them something to anticipate besides the gifts – “Tonight we get to open another door!” It would also make a nice gift for a young family on your list.
We read Advent together each night right before bed. It has become such a fun family time this month, that we would like to keep up the habit by continuing to read a special book in the coming year. Do any of you have a good Bible story collection that you would reccomend for a two year old? I’d love any suggestions!
What do you do for an advent activity at your house?
Oh, and we do have a favorite bible stories book. It was a gift to Aidan for his dedication. I’ll have to look at it to see the actual title, etc.
We made an advent calendar for Aidan this year. He wanted to name it Aidan’s Christmas Countdown, lol. Each little door reveals a different activity for us to do.. versus the candy calendars that can be bought in the store, etc. For example, on day 13 we had to put 13 cents in the Salvation Army kettle, Day 10 was deliver a treat to somebody we know who lives in apartment 10.. you get the picture.We also do Christmas baking together, have a favorite Christmas book (it actually has scratch and sniff pages which we all adore, lol).. at our old church we always looked forward to our little Christmas play. I know there’s other stuff too but I just can’t think straight today. Oh, and every year we pick someone to anonymously RAK.. some times with a special gift, sometimes with money, sometimes with shoveling.. depends on the need and what we can afford. It’s become fun because Aidan will see someone and say “Mama, we should help her!”