*Kath's Korner*

Christmas Countdown Calendar

Note: To find online help with words to Christmas carols, decoration ideas, online Christmas stories etc.  have a look on my Christmas Page.

Dec 1st:  Begin the Advent Calendar.

Dec 2nd:  Put up a Christmas Stocking or decorate a Jar to put notes of thanks in.  Put it in a special place like hanging on the mantelpiece or on the table.  Encourage your family to put notes to Jesus in, thanking him for what he has done for them over the last year.  These notes will be read out at Christmas dinner.

Dec 3rd:  Start making paper chains to decorate the living areas of your home.

Dec 4th:  Write out Christmas cards but don't post yet.

Dec 5th:  Bring out the Christmas Book Basket and start reading.  Make it a habit to buy one Christmas book each year.  

Dec 6th:  Make some decorations.  Cut out snowflakes, make 'stained glass' window decorations etc.  

Dec 7th:  Write family letters or Christmas poems to go in the cards.

Dec 8th:  Decorate the envelopes for the cards and post today.  Use stamps, stickers, or draw on the envelope to give it a cheery Christmas look.  But make sure the postie can read the address.  8:)

Dec 9th:  Deck the Halls.  Today's the day for the whole family to put the Christmas decorations up.  All but the tree which will be done tomorrow.  Put the paper chains from day 3 and the handmade decorations from day 6 up.  Any lights, tinsel or other decorations for the house goes up.

Dec 10th:  Decorate the tree!  Leave off the candy canes for now.  Each year after Christmas let each child buy one Christmas decoration of their own.  By the time they leave home they will have a good start to decorating their own tree.  Keep a list of which is who's or put a small mark on the decoration to identify the owner.  Explain the spiritual meaning of each decoration.  

Dec 11th:  Put Christmas music on.  Start practicing those Christmas carols.  Add a Christmas Tape or CD to your collection each year.

Dec 12th:  Tell the story of the Candy canes and put some on the tree.

Dec 13th:   Christmas movie night.  Hire some Christmas movies and string popcorn chains while watching. 

Dec 14th:  Put out the Nativity set, or have a try making a cut-out paper one to put up on the window for the neighbors to see.  Leave Baby Jesus until Christmas Day.  Another idea is to move the wise men around the house to show that they are seeking for Jesus, and they find him on Jan 6th. 

Dec 15th:  Decorate Christmas Cups, Placemats and place cards for the table.  Use stamps, stickers, Christmas tags, leftover cards etc.  Keep aside for the informal Christmas picnic by the tree and for Christmas day.

Dec 16:  Make a Christmas poster, huge birthday card to Jesus, or a mobile with leftover cards etc.

Dec 17th:  Christmas games and puzzle night.  See my Christmas page for some online fun and puzzles.

Dec 18th:  Make wrapping paper and wrap the presents.

Dec 19th:  Make Christmas sweets and put in the fridge and/or bake biscuits that freeze.

Dec 20th:  Informal Christmas Picnic by the lighted Christmas Tree.

Dec 21st:  Take Family photo by the tree.  Put on the best clothes.

Dec 22nd:  Do some Christmas baking.  Make a birthday cake for Jesus.

Dec 23rd:  Read the Christmas Story straight from the Bible.  Luke chapter 2.

Dec 24th:  Go to the Candlelight service at your church.

Dec 25th:  Celebrate Jesus's birthday!  Add baby Jesus to your nativity set. Attend church, open gifts slowly over the day, and at dinner time use the decorated cups, placemats, and placecards.  After dinner spend some time at the table reading out the notes that were in the Christmas thanks Jar/Stocking.

Merry Christmas!