Our first two Christmases together, at least one of us was still in college. So, we decorated our tree right after Thanksgiving, studied for finals, and then went home for Christmas break. Last year, Claire's first Christmas, we did pretty much the same thing, except we finally got ourselves an Advent wreath and actually remembered to light it every Sunday. Now that Claire's a year older and starting to maybe, sort of get a tiny bit of what Christmas is all about out, we are trying to incorporate a few more traditions into Advent at our house.
There are so many great ideas for Advent out there, but we're keeping it really, really simple so far. Next year, when Claire's old enough to understand a bit more of the season, I'd like to try the Jesse Tree. And in the future years, we can slowly introduce some of the other fun ideas, like unwrapping a different Christmas story book to read each night and having the wise men travel all around the house on their journey to Jesus.
There are so many great ideas for Advent out there, but we're keeping it really, really simple so far. Next year, when Claire's old enough to understand a bit more of the season, I'd like to try the Jesse Tree. And in the future years, we can slowly introduce some of the other fun ideas, like unwrapping a different Christmas story book to read each night and having the wise men travel all around the house on their journey to Jesus.
The first Sunday of Advent, we decorated our mantel for the season. We didn't put up our tree yet because we don't have a lot of space and there's a crazy toddler in the house. Since we're not traveling for Christmas, we can put it up closer to the actual holiday and still have plenty of time to enjoy it.
We just have our stockings, nativity set, a framed copy of each year's Christmas card, and some little glass trees I picked up at Goodwill.
The Little People nativity set is on our tv stand, with the wise men slowly making their way from one side to the other.
We've remembered to light our wreath and sing a verse of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" almost every night so far. It's much easier when Claire won't let us forget!
We've read these two books as part of her bedtime routine and torn a link off our Christmas countdown chain right before saying goodnight..
On Friday, the feast of St. Nicholas, we watched the Veggie Tales movie very, very loosely based on his life (it's on Netflix!) and read a book about him several times. Claire put her shoes by the front door before she took a bath and when she got out, she found a few treats waiting for her - a few peanut butter cups and some new animals for her Noah's Ark set.
I think it was a hit!
Every year my goal is to be done with Christmas shopping before Advent begins, and every year I've got all our Christmas gifts bought and wrapped. Usually I just have holiday baking to accomplish in December. Well, and pack us all up for a big trip, which isn't happening this year. I didn't order our birth announcements or Christmas cards until we got our family pictures back, though, so I'm feeling a bit behind. The six-week-old bundle of love we've got also has something to do with that!
But the reason I've been able to do anything this Advent besides keep my two children fed, clothed, and somewhat regularly bathed, is that my mom is visiting from China. She flew in last Saturday and will be in town until Boxing Day. (My dad and brother will join her when Scott's Christmas break starts and my sister, Allison, will be flying up from Houston for a few days too.) She has been such a huge help and we are loving have her here!
We've remembered to light our wreath and sing a verse of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" almost every night so far. It's much easier when Claire won't let us forget!
We've read these two books as part of her bedtime routine and torn a link off our Christmas countdown chain right before saying goodnight..
On Friday, the feast of St. Nicholas, we watched the Veggie Tales movie very, very loosely based on his life (it's on Netflix!) and read a book about him several times. Claire put her shoes by the front door before she took a bath and when she got out, she found a few treats waiting for her - a few peanut butter cups and some new animals for her Noah's Ark set.
I think it was a hit!
Every year my goal is to be done with Christmas shopping before Advent begins, and every year I've got all our Christmas gifts bought and wrapped. Usually I just have holiday baking to accomplish in December. Well, and pack us all up for a big trip, which isn't happening this year. I didn't order our birth announcements or Christmas cards until we got our family pictures back, though, so I'm feeling a bit behind. The six-week-old bundle of love we've got also has something to do with that!
But the reason I've been able to do anything this Advent besides keep my two children fed, clothed, and somewhat regularly bathed, is that my mom is visiting from China. She flew in last Saturday and will be in town until Boxing Day. (My dad and brother will join her when Scott's Christmas break starts and my sister, Allison, will be flying up from Houston for a few days too.) She has been such a huge help and we are loving have her here!
No comments:
Post a Comment
You are awesome.