25 Days Of Christmas

OK so blogging about gratitude was a flop, but never one to give up , I have decided to tackle a 25 Days of Christmas venture instead. If nothing else it's a great way to document our 2010 Christmas season. You see, this year we are starting some new traditions and I think it will be fun to "record" them.

First, is our daily Advent Actions cards. I made up 25 cards for the 25 Days of Christmas. Each card has a date and an action to help us enjoy the holiday season a little bit more. Today's action was to make a cup of hot chocolate. Other days actions include baking a batch of cookies to bring to a neighbor, call someone just to wish them a Merry Christmas, buy a toy to donate to Toy's For Tots, etc. etc.. I got the idea from Ali Edward's blog (click here) and thought this was the coolest idea. Gets the kids thinking a little beyond themselves but yet gives them something to look forward to every day of the season. Especially when I add it to our regular Advent Calender. That one is usually filled with money or chocolate. However, I am hoping to mix that up a bit this year as well. If anyone has any ideas for what I can include in that box, holler. I need all the help I can get with this one!

Our second new tradition is to give the kids Christmas pajamas on December 1st. I know a lot of people do this on Christmas Eve, but I'd rather have the kids enjoy the pajamas all month long. So, the pajamas are purchased (and wrapped!) and the kids will open them at dinner. Hopefully this new tradition goes over fairly well. Marty and I are excited about starting it. But one never can tell with kids, you know?!

I'm trying to really get in the holiday spirit this year. For the past few years I've been sort of a grump about the whole thing. I'm not sure why, but for the past three years I have dreaded Christmas. But this year I have decided to take a different attitude and different approach and so far it's working. I'm thrilled that it's officially December and that I can officially start some of my holiday plans!