Several years ago I was looking for something fun and
exciting to do for Advent with my kids.
We started the Elf on the Shelf tradition – although our Elf is not mischievous
at all, she just hides about the house, and my kids love to look for her.
exciting to do for Advent with my kids.
We started the Elf on the Shelf tradition – although our Elf is not mischievous
at all, she just hides about the house, and my kids love to look for her.
They will write her little notes; they will draw her
pictures, talk to her, and explain what has been going on in their lives. It is actually quite precious to watch.
pictures, talk to her, and explain what has been going on in their lives. It is actually quite precious to watch.
Our elf was named Tasha, during a Backyardigans phase my
oldest was going through. She named her
Tasha, and it stuck. Now the kids get so
excited on November 30th every year, knowing that she will arrive on
December 1st.
oldest was going through. She named her
Tasha, and it stuck. Now the kids get so
excited on November 30th every year, knowing that she will arrive on
December 1st.
I love this tradition because the kids wake up in such a
good mood every morning. Every morning
they run downstairs to see the new location that she is hiding. Emma and Jack wake up at different times, and
typically Emma will find Tasha first, and then Jack will have an opportunity to
look for her. It was a little harder to
keep Emma from spoiling it a couple years ago, but now she is old enough to
know that Jack wants the chance to find her on his own.
good mood every morning. Every morning
they run downstairs to see the new location that she is hiding. Emma and Jack wake up at different times, and
typically Emma will find Tasha first, and then Jack will have an opportunity to
look for her. It was a little harder to
keep Emma from spoiling it a couple years ago, but now she is old enough to
know that Jack wants the chance to find her on his own.
Our second tradition that also starts on December 1st
is our Advent Bag tradition.
is our Advent Bag tradition.
I’m sure you remember growing up and having those littleAdvent calendars with the doors and the little chocolate? Well, my brother and I loved those growing
up. I knew that I wanted to do something
for my own kids. But, I wanted something
a little different.
Then the idea of Advent Bags came to me.
What it is – there are 24 bags for each child. In each bag there is a little treat, an
activity or toy or craft, and the scripture reading for the day.
activity or toy or craft, and the scripture reading for the day.
 |
| our first year of the Advent Bag tradition! |
The first year my kids did this, they were incredibly
excited. And so was I! I loved to watch their faces every morning
when they ran down the stairs to see their bag.
excited. And so was I! I loved to watch their faces every morning
when they ran down the stairs to see their bag.
Now, I tend to hit up the craft store and the Target Dollar
Spot to get these little crafts and gifts to give to the kids. It is something that I have so much fun
putting together. I obviously don’t have
a ton of money to spend on this, but having a fun activity or craft or Matchbox
car or jar of Play-Doh is something that works very well in my family.
Spot to get these little crafts and gifts to give to the kids. It is something that I have so much fun
putting together. I obviously don’t have
a ton of money to spend on this, but having a fun activity or craft or Matchbox
car or jar of Play-Doh is something that works very well in my family.
It gives the kids something to do first thing in the
morning, it also pretty much guarantees that they come down in a good mood – I know
it’s crazy to think that children would wake up in a bad mood, but it happens
here! It also helps my mood, especially
when the kids are up earlier than I hope.
morning, it also pretty much guarantees that they come down in a good mood – I know
it’s crazy to think that children would wake up in a bad mood, but it happens
here! It also helps my mood, especially
when the kids are up earlier than I hope.
Why did I start these traditions? Well, it is because I think back so fondly on
my own childhood Christmas traditions, and I want that for my kids as well.
my own childhood Christmas traditions, and I want that for my kids as well.
I love how wonderful Christmas is. Yes, there can be stress, there can be
sadness; there can be craziness. But,
overall, I believe that Christmas is a season to be thankful, to look at our
families and be thankful. To give to
others, and to be as positive a season as you can make it.
sadness; there can be craziness. But,
overall, I believe that Christmas is a season to be thankful, to look at our
families and be thankful. To give to
others, and to be as positive a season as you can make it.
What is your favorite
Christmas tradition? Have you continued
traditions from your childhood?
nicole says
December 8, 2015 at 5:16 pmLove traditions. Ours is buying a real tree every year (picking one out) and decorating it. My oldest puts the topper/angel on. We have a few more enjoy.
Cathy Mini says
December 3, 2015 at 2:51 pmAww I love that your family has these traditions! My favorite Christmas tradition was baking on Christmas Eve with my grammy every year 🙂
Ashleigh Walls says
December 3, 2015 at 3:41 amWe decorate outside and everyone gets a new ornament, my grandmother started this when I was born. I love seeing my son so happy to put his new ornament up.
Tara Settembre says
December 3, 2015 at 3:37 amWhat great traditions! I can't wait to do an advent calendar and Elf on a Shelf with my boys. This is the first year they are understanding Christmas a bit, so am thinking next year will be a better year to start our traditions too 🙂
Jen K says
December 3, 2015 at 12:12 amWe love our Elf! Sometimes he forgets to move but I'm hoping this year he'll remember every day!
Di says
December 2, 2015 at 4:40 pmThis is a great way to avoid the chocolate and sugar! Maybe even go one step further and make bags you can reuse each year?
Nikka Shae says
December 2, 2015 at 4:03 pmWhat great Christmas traditions!! I'm loving the Elf on The Shelf tradition!!! I want to get one for next year!!!
Lexie Willis says
December 2, 2015 at 2:57 pmWhat great traditions!!! We use to have an awesome advent calendar that you would read the story and than hang the ornament on the tree afterwards. Me and my sister loved it!!!! LifeAsLex
Michelle says
December 2, 2015 at 2:01 pmI love traditions! I treasure mine from childhood and am instilling several in my kiddos as well!
Laura - Eye Candy Creative Studio says
December 2, 2015 at 5:52 amfamily traditions are the best! Kids tend to remember this kind of stuff moreso than anything else 😉
Housewife Eclectic says
December 2, 2015 at 4:59 amWe do a advent for our tree with scriptures and we love it! One of our favorite traditions!
Cat W says
December 2, 2015 at 2:24 amI love your advent bag idea!
Logan Cantrell says
December 1, 2015 at 10:42 pmI love to play the Elf on the Shelf game with my son! I love the idea of Advent bags! That is a great idea and something I should totally do! Maybe since I'm late, I can do it for the "12 Days of Christmas."
Molly O'Connor says
December 1, 2015 at 9:41 pmOh seeing their faces would be my favorite part too, love love love that!!
Esther Freedman says
December 1, 2015 at 8:17 pmSuch awesome traditions! Your kids look so happy!
Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea says
December 1, 2015 at 7:09 pmWe always did advent calendars when I was little and it's been such fun to continue this tradition with my own! So fun! ?
Anonymous says
December 1, 2015 at 3:56 pmI love these traditions. In my family we have many too and Christmas isn't Christmas without them.