christmas ideas for families

Since my kids are young, 3 and 1, we are in the process of developing some Christmas traditions. I really want my kids to look forward to Christmas because it is Jesus birthday and not get wrapped up in the commercialism of the month. So here are some ideas that we will be doing this year, some spiritual, some just for fun.

1) starting the 1st of December I have a calender house that they will open the little doors on and find small treats (like an marshmallow or a chocolate chip), every day will be different. Some may be stickers etc. We will be counting the days until Jesus birthday.

2)we will be having a white Christmas at some point this month(this idea came from my friend Vonna Marcus) Everyone will dressed in white to come to dinner. All the food will be white (bread, soup, maybe ice cream). Name cards for each person will include the word white ("snow white", "bob white", etc.), table cloth and decor will be white.

3) In an effort to avoid commercialism, we will be giving each of our children 3 gifts. The wise men brought Jesus three gifts and we want to tie that into our celebration. Three gifts was enough for Jesus it is good enough for our children.
Children seem to enjoy gifts more when they are not overwhelmed also. There is a movement called the Advent Conspiracy. Check it out, it's all about spending less and giving more and getting back to the real meaning of Christmas.
(If your children are young and you can't get away from Santa Claus, fill their stockings from Santa and give one gift like a family game or something that you can all open together from Santa. Also share the real story of St. Nick)

5)Drive around and look and Christmas lights. Kids love to see all the different decorations and it's free!

6) Find something to involve your children in that is giving to others. We did the Samaritans purse shoe box this year and my daughter and son picked out gifts to fill the boxes and they understood that these were for other children who didn't have as much as them. My daughter got a little attached to the doll she chose but she still put it into the box and said some little girl would take good care of it.

We are also going to give towel sets to The Banquet in Sioux Falls. Each of our family members will pick out their towel set to give, the kids included and then we will deliver them to the Banquet together.

7) an advent wreath (my mom used to do this I think)
Did you know that Advent wreaths were originally used in the home? They did not become popular in churches until the middle of the twentieth century.
I am making one tomorrow using greenery three purple candles (symbolizing royalty) a rose candle and a white candle for the center. Once a week will will light a candle and do a little devotion. Each week we will continue to light the previous candles and a new one.

The First Candle (The Candle of Prophecy/Hope) It symbolizes the promises the prophets delivered as messages from God; promises that foretold Christ’s birth.

The Second Candle (The Candle of the Way)The second candle shows that Christ is the Way. People are lost in sin and Christ is the Light sent into the world to show them the way out of darkness.

The Third Candle (The Candle of Joy)The third candle indicates that the only lasting Joy to be found in life on earth is through Christ. All other joy is fleeting and does not last.

The Fourth Candle (The Candle of Peace)The fourth candle reminds that Jesus comes to bring Peace to both the world and to people's hearts. Without Christ there is no peace in this world.

The Fifth Candle (The Christ Candle or Christmas Candle)The fifth candle represents Christ himself who is born to save people from their sins. It is a celebration of the fulfillment of prophecy as represented in Christ’s birth and hope in the final fulfillment when Christ comes again and Christians join him.

You can say a prayer with each and find a bible verse that goes with each one for a short devotion at dinner, then leave the candles lit during dinner for a calming effect on your kids!

8) Bake Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas and light the candles and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. My grandma has done this for as long as I can remember.

During December, remember the reason for the season and stop to think, ponder, and enjoy the real meaning!