Sweet Greens

Hello, Friends. Remember my lofty advent calendar goals? I am happy to say that I was able to put together a simple eco-friendly family activity advent calendar. I really wanted to make sure that this December didn’t just fly by, without taking the time to slow-down and enjoy it together as a family. I plan to start our advent calendar the 1st day of December and end it the last night of Hanukkah – since we celebrate a little bit of everything this time of year. Read on to see my photo step-by-step instructions to learn how you can make a simple calendar this weekend.

What you will need:

• paper scraps [I used leftover recycled holiday wrapping paper from last year]
• twine
• pen
• scissors
• list of activities [see my list below]

Step 1: Make a List of Activities

The first step to making an activity advent calendar is to come up with a list of activities. I suggest activities that are easy and that don’t take up a lot of time. You don’t want to feel rushed or like you have to gather a ton of supplies to enjoy each day of December. Write each of your activities on a scrap piece of paper. Here is the list that I compiled for my own family.

1. Make Decorative Trees out of Pinecones
2. Go to the Holiday Boat Parade
3. Go to Eben’s Family Fun Fair at School
4. Make a Gingerbread House
5. Make a Wreath for Our Front Door
6. Do a Family Volunteer Project
7. Decorate our Holiday Tree
8. Ride the Polar Express [Watch the movie, complete with tickets, cocoa + cookies]
9. Write and Send our Holiday Cards
10. Walk Around Our Neighborhood to See the Holiday Lights
11. Make a Christmas Town from Recycled Items [post coming soon]
12. Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
13. Have an Ice Cream Sundae Bar
14. Fold Origami for the Tree
15. Cut Out Snowflakes for the Windows in Our Home
16. Make Gingerbread Men
17. Go Downtown to See the Holiday Lights + Walk Around to see the Shops
18. Make and Decorate Holiday Cookies
19. Watch The Santa Clause
20. Have our Annual Holiday Party
21. Visit and Take Treats to Nana and Papa’s House
22. Camp Out Under the Holiday Tree
23. Have a Family Fondue Party
24. Make Our Own Organic Egg Nog
25. Watch Home Alone

Step 2: Roll Your Activities into Small Scrolls

Roll each activity paper into a small tube, secure with tape and number it for the day you will be enjoying the activity.

Step 3: Hang Your Advent Calendar Where the Entire Family Can Enjoy It

I used bio-degradable twine to tie all of the advent activities together and then hung it on the small wall next to our dining room table.

Step 4: Look Forward to Each and Every Day of December with Your Family

If you celebrate advent, the first day is November 27th. We decided to start our calendar on December 1st, because I wanted the activities to last until the last night of Hanukkah. If you are doing an advent calendar, just for fun – you can start it whatever day you would like.

Step 5: Be Prepared + Have Fun 

Make sure to keep a list of your activities and what day you planned them for. I wrote them on my calendar, so that I would remember what we will be doing each day. That way, when it is time to make a wreath, or bake cookies I will have all of the supplies and ingredients ready to go.

Does your family celebrate December with an advent calendar?

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, usually full of friends and family. However, if you live far away from close friends and family, this time of year can be bittersweet. I know this first hand because a large portion of our extended family lives on the other side of the country and getting together on Thanksgiving doesn’t happen often. Making sure that your children are able to connect and stay in touch with out of town friends and family now is important. Check out my five favorite way to keep in touch and start planning for the upcoming holidays.

How do you plan to encourage your children to connect with out of town family?
Now, that we have iPhones, we are going to give face time with family a try.

photo credit Rowans27 via Inhabitots

The holiday season is a good time to discuss volunteer opportunities with your children. Volunteering as a family is a great way to teach diversity, thoughtfulness and charity, plus it helps kids learn to appreciate everything they have. Not only can your children help individuals in need this holiday season, but also they can help the environment by incorporating a green theme into their volunteer projects. Check out my six easy and green ways to get your children into the true spirit of the holidays.

We have several small volunteer projects that we are doing as a family this year. Does your family have a volunteer project planned for Thanksgiving? 

photo credit Constellation Energy via Inhabitots

Thanksgiving is almost here, so now is the perfect time to gather the children to make crafts for the Thanksgiving table. These crafts can keep your kids busy while you’re busy baking and you can be they’ll get excited when guests arrive on the big day to a table decorated in crafts they made by themselves. Check out my simple, fun Thanksgiving crafts that you and your kids can make in an afternoon using items you can find in your recycling bin or on a nature walk.

Are you or your children making anything eco-special for the Thanksgiving table this year?