6 Family Advent Activities

The Christmas season can get so full and busy.  But slowing down and savoring these weeks with some family Advent activities will bring this time of the year into perspective.

The weeks leading up to Christmas can often feel overwhelming.  There are parties, gifts, activities, gatherings, concerts, and all kinds of commitments.  I have found that it takes me, the mom, to intentionally plan family Advent activities.  Because long after all the gifts and parties are over, the memories are the things that last.

I’ve joined up with some amazing bloggers to share some “Advent Inspiration” with you.  Our hope is that these ideas and resources bless your family this Christmas season.   If you’ve come over from Abbie at the Gal Down the Road, welcome!  So blessed to have you here…

{Post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Read my disclosure here.}

FAMILY ADVENT ACTIVITIES

Advent doesn’t have to be an over the top extravagant experience.  Often, it’s the simple intentional acts that leave a lasting impression upon our family.  By taking a little time to plan a few activities, we can focus on the meaning of Christmas, encourage our own hearts, and touch the lives of others.

Let’s take a peek at six family Advent activities that we enjoy each year.

1. CELEBRATING ADVENT

The timeframe for Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas.  The number of days can vary and I typically do a quick internet search to figure out which day to begin.

We’ve used various resources throughout the years and I shared our favorite in a previous post.  {Click HERE for those amazing resources!}  We’ve used videos, books, e-books, and even magazines throughout the years.  I enjoy changing things up from year to year and this has been a fun way to mark certain years in our lives by the Advent resource we used.

2. GIFTS FOR NEIGHBORS

One of the reasons we moved to our home two years ago was to be in community.  We have become intentional about reaching out and getting to know our neighbors.  This has meant meals around the table, backyard cook-outs, surprise goodies on porches, conversations in driveways, and more.

If you don’t know your neighbors, the Christmas Advent season creates the perfect opportunity.  People are more open in the month of December.  And we found that a great way to reach out is to take the time to give them a Christmas gift.

Most likely, you have no idea what they may actually have on their wish list.  And that’s not what this is about.  Come up with a simple, budget-friendly, and thoughtful gift to say Merry Christmas.

Last year, we created little gift boxes filled with stovetop Christmas potpourri.  Something like this is well-received because anyone can easily use and enjoy it.  {Click HERE for the recipe and free printable gift tag!}

3. CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOUR

We began the tradition of driving around looking at Christmas lights when our children were quite young.  Even though they are now teens, it is still a favorite memory.

The way we prefer to do this is everyone gets into their pajamas and we load up into our minivan with popcorn and hot cocoa.  {Click HERE for my favorite hot cocoa.}  Christmas carols are turned on and we see where we end up.

One thing that we began a few years ago is giving a little honk at houses with a nativity set.  This made our children look for decorations that focused on Jesus and their “reward” was a honk of the horn.  Looking at it now, it doesn’t sound like a reward to the homeowners though.  Ha!

4. CHRISTMAS GIVING

Children can easily get caught up in the wish list and the receiving of presents.  But one way to help them get their focus off themselves is to give.  Over the years, we’ve participated in Operation Christmas Child and many local gift-giving organizations.  If you aren’t sure what is around you, call some local churches or non-profit organizations that serve families.

This can even be taken a step further by allowing {or maybe I should say encouraging} your children to financially contribute towards this service project.  By becoming invested in this way, they are able to focus on the giving and the satisfaction that brings.

5. CHRISTMAS CAROLING

One of the most memorable Advent activities we have done was to go caroling.  This activity is a lot more fun with friends though.  Here’s how we do it:

• Decide on a neighborhood with houses close together.
• Set a date and time for everyone to meet.  {Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.}
• As the organizer, come prepared with song sheets.  Pick two songs that won’t take more than a few minutes each to sing.  We chose the first verse of two Christmas hymns.  It is best to steer away from a slow song like, “Silent Night” and sing “Joy to the World” instead.  Print out a sheet for each person with the first verse (or two) of two songs (just be sure to stay under 4-5 minutes of singing as it gets awkward for the homeowners).  We sang one song at the first house, followed by, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and then sang the second song at the next house.  Then it was back to the first song.  This way, next door neighbors didn’t have to listen to a song two times.
• Bring along battery-operated candles for a vintage feel to this activity.
• Multi-generational groups are great for Christmas caroling.  I suggest having a child knock on each door and then have them join the group.  This keeps the kids engaged.  But be sure that the group is ready to sing before they knock on the door.
• If you are caroling in your own neighborhood, I highly suggest using this opportunity to introduce yourself and your family after the singing is done.  The group can begin to move on to the next home while your neighbors put your face to names and which house is yours.  The first time we did this was two years ago and we are still known for this by everyone on our street.  It made quite an impression because not many people Christmas carol anymore.
• Now may also be a great time to give them a little Christmas gift.  It could be the stovetop potpourri I already mentioned, {these} wood slice ornaments, or maybe a mug and hot cocoa mix.  But, no pressure: the caroling is the focus.
• Set a time limit for the caroling.  We decided on one hour and that was a perfect amount of time.
• Optional, but so much fun: invite your caroling friends over for cookies and hot cocoa.  Ask the families to bring a few dozen cookies so all the baking doesn’t fall on you.  Have drinks, such as water and hot cocoa, available.

6. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT(S)

Slowing down and gathering together to enjoy the classics of the Christmas season is a favorite activity for our family.  We have a few that we are sure to watch every single year.  {Click HERE for our favorite Christmas movies.}

Taking this time to relive the memories we’ve made from years before has given my kids something that helps ground them in our family.  And even though we do so many more more important and intentional things in our parenting, there is something about watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” together that makes them feel special.

We cherish this time every year where we can focus on Jesus and pour into our family and others around us.  I hope these six family Advent activities give you a few ideas for your Christmas season.  I’ve also shared our favorite Christmas traditions that you may enjoy as well.  Click HERE for those!

Now take a moment and go say hello to Bree at The Homemaking Momma as she shares an amazing Advent resource that she created.

Merry Christmas!

   the Gal Down the Road // The Little by Little Home // The Homemaking Momma

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