There are not a lot of things I’m consistent at in my life, but I do NOT mess around when it comes to my Annual Activity Advent Calendar.

We have done one every year since my daughter was two and I lost my mind and SEWED the world’s most gorgeous, but time-consuming advent calendar. (I was pregnant and had a toddler and should not have been trusted to make DIY-ing decisions.)

While I went a little overboard that year, what I discovered was having a plan for holiday fun actually makes the holidays a lot more, well, fun.

Having a list and a goal (do one, fun thing a day) means I stay focused on what is most important to me about the holidays: spending time with family and friends, supporting and loving on my community, and eating  much sugar as humanly possible.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

My only rule is: IT CANNOT BE HARD.

We’re not allowed to do anything that doesn’t feel fun or feels like we “have to” do it. If it doesn’t make us want to carol, then it’s not going on the list.

And, listen, if you’re reading this and you feel overwhelmed or like you want to kick a Santa, DON’T DO IT. I do not do the whole “Elf on a Shelf” thing because I forgot to do it the first night and it seemed like way too much work.

You already have a ton of work this holiday season – you don’t need more! Do this if it lights you up! Or do one day if that lights you up! Or a couple of days! YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO THIS HOWEVER YOU WANT.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

I’ve created four different categories (make, give, eat + drink, do + see) and you one activities for each day!

You can make the execution as hard or as easy as you like.

In the past, I have done a paper chaine, put all the ideas up on the tree, stuffed them in the felt calendar shown above, and, then, like I said, this year we’re just printing it out and putting it up on the fridge.

Don’t let the execution be a stopping point! I say, do whatever is easiest and then go for it!

And there’s lots of padding!

I always have lots of days that are really easy – watch a holiday movie, listen to holiday music, drink hot chocolate – so that if we have some days where there’s too much going on, we can keep up the momentum.

And if you miss a day, WHO CARES? Keep going! This is just for fun, there aren’t any grades, so do as much or as little as works for your family, k?

WHAT’S ON THE LIST?

So glad you asked!

You can download a version for your fridge here:

Download the list for your fridge!

Or jot down a couple ideas I’ve listed out below!

MAKE:
Make an ornament to hang on the tree or give as a gift.
Make a gingerbread house.
Make and mail Christmas cards.
Make a cranberry popcorn garland.
Make snowflakes for the windows.
Make someone from another country a treat that reminds them of home.
Make fake snow to play with.

GIVE:
Send holiday mail for heroes (cards for service members).
Buy someone a surprise coffee.
Donate to a favorite charity.
Give your spare change to a Salvation Army bell ringer.
Donate a toy or adopt a family.
Send gifts directly to those in need at the Bloggess’ Annual James Garfield Miracle.
Give your favorite book to someone you don’t know well.
Send a surprise gift to a relative you haven’t seen in awhile.
Make edible “gifts” for squirrels and birds.
Make cookies to give the neighbors or take some by your local fire station.
Donate gift cards to your local school so families in need can buy presents.
Send “snow” to someone in a warm climate.
Donate canned goods.

EAT & DRINK:
Drink cider.
Drink hot chocolate.
Drink egg nog.
Have Christmas afternoon tea.
Make/decorate Christmas cookies.
Make a yule log cake.
Roast chestnuts.
Try a holiday specialty from another country.

DO & SEE:
at home
Write a letter to Santa.
Have Santa call you with “Message from Santa.”
Place candles/lights in the windows.
Pick out and decorate a tree (or go to a tree farm and cut down a tree).
Sing Christmas carols (or go caroling).
Learn all the words to a new Christmas song.
Listen to Christmas music.
Watch a Christmas movie.
Read a Christmas story.
Kiss under mistletoe.
Hang a wreath.
Follow Santa’s journey on the NORAD Santa tracker.
Hang stockings.
Have a Christmas tree slumber party.
Put up Christmas lights.
Do a “Polar Express Mini Van.”
Have a snowball fight (or a sockball fight if there isn’t any snow).

out and about
Visit Santa.
Go ice skating.
Go sledding.
Go to The Nutcracker.
Wear an ugly Christmas sweater.
Wear holiday glasses or headbands.
Listen to carolers or children performing.
Go to a Parade of Lights.
Check out the Zoo Lights.
Drive around and look at Christmas lights.
See a holiday play like “A Christmas Carol” or “Santa Land Diaries.”
Ride a train.

Happy Holidays!!