Advent Day 6 & 7

Advent Day 6

St. Nicholas came and left the girls some gifts. I grew up with St. Nicholas visiting us every year.

It was a special day for my Grandmother growing up and she wants us to carry on the tradition.  

Advent Day 7

They each got a new winter cup.

I found these at Target and thought they were super cute and could be used all winter.  

Advent Days 3, 4 & 5

Combining a few days in one post to save time. :)

Day 3 - Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas dvd.

We actually got this last year but never watched it.  So, it was a nice surprise for them this year.  

 Day 4 - "Invitation to Bake"

Rice Krispie Treats

 I flattened it on the counter and they used Christmas cookie cutters. 

 Day 5 - Little People Christmas Village

When they went to bed last night I set up their Christmas village on the train table.  

Advent Day 2

Advent Day 2 

I picked up these "clingy" window decorations at the Dollar Store.

*they really aren't clingy, but more sticker like*  

 This was really fun for them!

Advent Bags and Schedule

I have always loved Advent calendars as a child.  

Peeling back the piece of cardboard for that small piece of chocolate was so awesome!

Our Advent bags aren't filled with just chocolate though.  

*See list below for ideas*

Christmas is such an exciting time, especially for children.  

I want it to be special for my children as well.  

This year I decided to do Advent bags.  I went with simple brown paper bags and put a number on each of them 1-24.  I then hung a clothesline across the window.  Then hung each one up with a clothespin.

I think they look pretty cute!

I am not putting anything in the bags except for an index card.  

The card will have a description on it of what activity they will do or gift they will receive.

I made a list of everything I have planned for the days leading up to Christmas.  The list will probably change slightly depending on moods,etc.  You know how it is :)

Advent is a great time to do for others. 

Volunteer and donate, make cards for an elderly home, toys for tots, etc.

*In addition to the list below we are also doing a Jesse Tree this year*

December 1 - What is Advent? We are also decorating our Christmas tree this day.
December 2 - our Elf on the Shelf shows up / Color one candle on the wreath page / Christmas window  
                      clingy                     
December 3 - "invitation to bake" rice crispy treats.
December 4 - Christmas craft
December 5 - Little People Christmas Village / talk about St. Nicolas \
December 6 - St. Nicolas Day
December 7 - hot chocolate and watch a Muppet Christmas Carol
December 8 - meet Santa / Christmas dinner with family visiting
December 9 - take gifts to church / "invitation to bake" sugar cookies with Grammy /
                      color second candle on wreath
December 10 -  Little People Nativity set is out
December 11 -  Hello Kitty winter themed socks ($1 bins at Target)
December 12 -  Christmas party at MOTS / watch Smurfs Christmas
December 13 -  Christmas themed book
December 14 -  "invitation to bake" peanut butter blossoms
December 15 - write letter to Santa
December 16 - color third candle on wreath
December 17 - mail letter to Santa / Christmas craft
December 18 - holiday themed activity books ($1 bins at Target)
December 19 - surprise trip to cupcake store
December 20 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer gummies and book to match
December 21 - decorate ginger bread house.
December 22 - Christmas dinner with family visiting
December 23 - color forth candle on wreath / Holiday Nights (event)
December 24 - make cookies for Santa / church / The Night Before Christmas book
December 25 - Happy Birthday Jesus!

Advent wreath coloring page.

More sites with Advent activities:

OSV Parish

Code Name Mama

Rainy Day Mum

Advent - Jesse Tree Scriptures & Symbols

I am excited to make the Jesse Tree this year.  Since Junebug is now 3, this is the first Christmas where she is really showing excitement for the arrival of Santa.  But, of course, I would like her to have an understanding about the real reason of Christmas. 

What is the Jesse Tree?  

The Jesse Tree represents Jesus' family tree.

The ornaments represent Jesus' ancestor's and events leading up to His birth. 

The Jesse Tree is a great addition to your Advent calendar.

Below is a list of the scriptures and symbols for each day leading up to Christmas.  

Everyday you read the scripture and put an ornament up on the tree.

You can print the ornaments out in color or black and white.

This year I chose to print out in color. 

Jesse Tree Ornaments Color and Black & White *Free*

JESSE TREE SCRIPTURES (The symbols are only suggestions)

December 1Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
December 2Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman
December 3Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24 Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite
December 4Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 Symbols: ark, animals, dove, rainbow
December 5Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 Symbols: torch, sword, mountain
December 6Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush
December 7Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 Symbols: kettle, ladder
December 8Joseph: Gen. 37:23-28; 45:3-15 Symbols: bucket, well, silver coins, tunic
December 9Moses: Ex. 2:1-10 Symbols: baby in basket, river and rushes
December 10Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-18 Symbols: lamp, temple
December 11Jesse: 1 Sam. 16:1-13 Symbols: crimson robe, shepherd's staff
December 12David: 1 Sam. 17:12-51 Symbols: slingshot, 6-pointed star
December 13Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-14, 16-28 Symbols: scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword
December 14Joseph: Matt. 1:18-25 Symbols: hammer, saw, chisel, angle
December 15Mary: Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 Symbols: lily, crown of stars, pierced heart
December 16John the Baptist: Mark 1:1-8 Symbols: shell with water, river
On December 17, the Church begins to intensify the preparation for Christmas with the use of the "O" Antiphons during the Liturgy of the Hours. The symbols for the Jesse Tree from December 17 to 23 are based on the "O" Antiphons.
December 17Jesus is Wisdom: Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus in old Bibles) 24:2; Wisdom 8:1 Symbols: oil lamp, open book
December 18Jesus is Lord: Ex. 3:2; 20:1 Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets
December 19Jesus is Flower of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1-3 Symbols: flower, plant with flower
December 20Jesus is Key of David: Isaiah 22:22 Symbols: key, broken chains
December 21Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: Psalm 19:6-7 (in older Bibles this will be Psalm 18) Symbols: sun rising or high in sky
December 22Jesus is King of the Gentiles: Psalm 2:7-8; Ephesians 2:14-20 Symbols: crown, scepter
December 23Jesus is Emmanuel: Isaiah 7:14; 33:22 Symbols: tablets of stone, chalice and host
December 24Jesus is Light of the World: John 1:1-14 Symbols: candle, flame, sun

Activity Source: Jesse Tree Kit, A by Betsy Walter, Pauline Books and Media, Boston, MA, 1983

*The Jesse Tree is named for Jesse, the father of King David*

Resources

Advent Activities fro Our Sunday Visitor

Jesse Tree from Catholic Culture