Scenes from the first day of Advent. They couldn’t stop at just one wreath.
Our advent stocking activities for the year, in no particular order (more about this tradition can be found here):
make hot cocoa
make an advent wreath
get a tree
decorate tree
read holiday books
listen to holiday music
holiday party at the dance studio
cut paper snowflakes
bake cookies
The Nutcracker
get out Christmas dishes
watch ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas’
celebrate the Solstice
make candy
Christmas craft- still to be decided
decorate outside with edible ornaments for the birds
watch ‘White Christmas’
watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
caroling
visit the light display
play dreidel
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” read by Pop-pop
There are 3 movies planned this year, more then usual and with more people included in the watching. And more media in general. I think I’m ok with that. I feel like I need to take things slow and go very easy this year, where I can, because there is a great deal that is beyond my control. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Sparkle Stories. When I saw that they were offering an advent story series with a new story each day, I thought it would be a lovely treat. Would it be better and more “Waldorf” if I researched stories for each day to tell myself or better yet made them up? Definitely more Waldorf and possibly better in some ways, depending on how you define better. But I’m quite content to have this sweet family time together to listen to wholesome, heartwarming stories while we all knit or sew or just cuddle together. At the moment I think it’s all the better that I don’t have to struggle and stress to make this time happen. That feels like a true gift to us all.
There are a great many more decorating and craft ideas on my Winter pintrest board.
You have a lovely blog!! Very nice to read. Funny, I think you’re almost even far in your pregnancy as I am. Wish you a lovely december month! Greetings Stella from Holland.
I guess I forgot to put dance party on our holiday activity list!
We have one tiny media moment in our holiday tradition now too, watching the nutcracker on video/dvd on new year’s eve. Seems like we struggle to find a comfort level with this, and it seems my personal comfort level is almost none. Oh, and we did listen to a free sparkle story once, and suffered no dire consequences. It was cute. And yeah, you can knit while listening, sounds like a good plan!
I am loving this- my holidays were always weird as a child and my wife is Dutch, so we’re in the process of figuring out what traditions we want to do with our daughter, since this is her first christmas. Everything you have planned sounds so nice.
And you are so right about better being how you define it. I have a chronic illness and frequently have to remind myself that something better isn’t really better if it leaves me exhausted and cranky, and unable to actually enjoy what we’re doing. It’s a hard thing to remember sometimes.
I hope you guys have a great holiday!
I just wanted to tell you that I have been so inspired by your blog. Thank you for sharing pieces of your life…and congradulations on your pregnancy!
The last thing you need is stress…you are growing a sweet little babe!! However you choose to be together, is just right for right now! Hopping over to your Pintrest Board! Have a lovely week!
Oh my gosh we love Sparkle Stories, and my kids attend Waldorf school! We listen to one story every night. The girls now have their favorites and there is always a healthy lesson to be learned in the stories. Enjoy!
I love that advent calendar that you have pictured. I had the same one when I was a child and now that I have my own children, I can’t find it anywhere! Do you remember where you bought it or who makes it? I have been looking for 2 years now, trying to find a used one! I am also now a Waldorf Kindergarten and Parent-Child teacher, and was researching advent nature tables for inspiration and came across your picture and recognized the wooden Christmas tree advent calendar immediately. Thank you for sharing and I love your post about how you celebrate Advent. Blessings!