December 1 is “Christmas Countdown Day,” so I wanted to share a roundup of our family’s favorite advent ideas and bucket lists:

1. Countdown to Christmas Bucket List

   This is the list I post every December. My kids helped me compile it years ago, and we use it to help jog our memories as to the activities we enjoy the most this time of year. A few of the items on the list we never miss, like sending Christmas cards or decorating the tree, but we don’t bother trying to check off every last item. Instead, we pick and choose which activities fit our schedules or make the most sense on a given year and focus on those.

   

   [click on image to print]

2. Advent Scripture Reading Countdown

   

I usually print two copies of our Advent Scripture Chain — one on red and another on green. Then I alternate colors on the verses and make two separate chains. I keep one to use with my children and send the other to my grandkids.



[click on image to print]

3. Christmas Picture Book Countdown

   We own a whole shelf of Christmas books I wrap every year and stick under the tree. Each day, we pick one package, open it, and read it aloud together. For a list of the books we use, follow this link.
   

4. Design Your Own Christmas Bucket List

   Here is a sampling of simple Christmas activities, with a blank page of cards so you can design your own. Print them out, fill in the blanks, remove any of the pre-printed activities that don’t appeal to you, and stick them in a jar to be fished out daily (or as time, mood, and schedule allows) until Christmas rolls around.

   

   [click image to print]

5. Candy Kiss Countdown Calendar

   These super-simple candy kiss chains have been thrilling our little ones for decades and keeping them on their best behavior in the weeks leading up till Christmas, since we tell them they have to “do something sweet to get a treat.”