Don’t wait until December 25th to celebrate Christmas – start counting down on December 1st with this creative “Countdown to Christmas” idea — it’s a cross between an advent calendar and a mom’s to-do list. By getting the kids involved, you’ll tackle some of your must-do tasks and have fun celebrating Christmas all through the month of December.

How it works:

Find a central location to start your countdown. We use the front room mirror, which displays the words “only (SPACE FOR CARD) days til Christmas”. Each morning, I put up a piece of coloured cardstock with the number of days left til Christmas written on the front. On the back is a surprise – sometimes just a gift or a fun activity, other times a gift/task combo. The kids take the card down after school or on Sat/Sun morning and we do what the card says. (Hint: Have your cards ready the night before so you stick with the countdown!)

What goes on the cards? Be creative and choose activities that are fun for the kids and the family and mix in some tasks that are fun but need to get done. Here’s a list to help you get started.

• Go look in the fridge (leave glasses of eggnog with candy canes for stir sticks).
•  We’re going to decorate the family Christmas tree tonight!
•  Today we’re baking cookies for Santa (good for weekends, and you get some baking done!).
•  We’re going on a Christmas lights, hot chocolate & popcorn drive (that is, a drive around town to look at lights, then home for popcorn & hot chocolate).
•  Go look under the Christmas tree (where there’s a new holiday movie for everyone to enjoy.)
•  Go look on your bed (where there’s a simple holiday craft to make together).
•  Let’s find out how many Christmas books we have. (Get the kids to pullout all of the holiday titles, put them in a basket and pick their favourites to read now.)
•  It’s Christmas cards night. (Do it assembly-style so everyone can help, then off to the mailbox – another task done.)
•  Grab your coat and boots, we’re going to see a holiday movie at the theatre!
•  Let’s surprise a neighbour with a plate of cookies.
•  We’re making bird treats to decorate the backyard tree.

Once you get started, you’ll see how much the kids look forward to their daily surprise and how much you’ve accomplished. Most importantly, your entire family will have a longer and more enjoyable holiday season.

Watch beginning December 1st when I share how we’re celebrating the holiday season.  I wish I could share photos from last season but my computer crashed and I lost them - if you don’t backup your photos — go do it now!

If you have any ideas to add to our list please share them with me!

Helen

Several years ago our daughter arrived home from summer camp with an idea that would become an annual tradition with her friends — we call it The Annual Spaghetti Party!

Who would have though that a simple dinner at a camp could have such an impact on a young girl.  I remember pickup day and how excited Emmy was to share her spaghetti party tales with us - the blind fold, the crazy utensils and laugh-out-loud fun and an eagerness to host such a dinner with her own friends.  So, a few weeks later we called her friends and the tradition began.

Fast forward several years and I can honestly say that hosting an annual event or even an impromptu dinner is a great way to stay connected to your teen and her friends. I really like hosting dinners that take a little longer than eating a slice of pizza — one that requires you to be involved even if that means you are just popping in from time to time to offer seconds or clear dishes.  Listening to the girls talk about what is going on in their lives gives you an inside look at what they like and what is important to each of them.  If you listen closely, you’ll also hear about what might not be going well or struggles they have with their friends.  This can lead to great dialog between you and your teen after the party.

So, what is the party all about?  In a nutshell this party is really just a spaghetti and meatball dinner.  The fun comes when the girls discover they are not eating with a fork and knife/spoon, instead they are blind folded and they select a utensil from a big pot or bag.  A count of three means they can’t feel around and pick the best utensil - after three if they don’t have a utensil they don’t get one!  The dinner proceeds with everyone eating from their giant size kitchen utensils  — you’ll be amazed at how creative the kids get.

What you’ll need

• Spaghetti
• Meatballs (we like the large ones)
• Spaghetti sauce
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic toast or buns
• Veggies & dip
• Drinks
• Dessert
• Blindfold
• Utensils (see below)
• Napkins (lots of them!)

Utensils

You can use just about anything you have in your kitchen, we’ve had fun with the following utensils:

• Soup ladle
• Chop Sticks
• Kitchen tongs
• Wooden spoon
• Slotted spoon
• Spatula
• Wisk