This is our first Christmas in Kaley our bus, and without a fixed address. This has been a source of some concern for our children because how would Santa know where to deliver presents to. We’ve solved that problem now because we’re going to be in Wagga Wagga for Christmas with my big sister – we’re all excited about that.
Now, it’s time to start thinking out Christmas Decorations. Indrani our 9yo gathered a whole bunch of twigs at one of the camp grounds we were at, and has made the Christmas Tree you see in the picture. She calls it her Campfire Christmas Tree – who are we to scoff at her creativity? I actually think it’s quite sweet after having a few days to get use to it.
The Campfire Christmas Tree gave me the idea of making an advent calendar using twigs. I am thinking for the fun family activities rather than the traditional advent calendar which unfolds the biblical story of Christmas. This is no disrespect to Christianity rather I just want to build on our family adventure of doing things together.
Of course, I consulted the ultimate resource – Google, to see what I could find. Here’s two ideas I really like but I just need to figure out how we can make it work in the bus so it doesn’t fly around when we move. Think I’ll need to tie it down to one of our anchor points to stop it from sliding everywhere.
Twig Advent Calendar Ideas
Christmas Advent Calendar – Be A Fun Mum – this is a great website for all sorts of fun family things, do be sure to check it out
Love Your Home – another cute idea.
Now for the challenge of what to put inside those little envelopes. I decided to come up with 24 Fun Family Advent Activities for us to do with the kids. I thought you may like to use these to make an advent calendar for yourself.
24 – Make Caramel Popcorn Together
23 – Read a short story together
22 – Spend 10 minutes and colour in a Christmas Mandala together, then turn it into a bauble for your tree by sticking it to cardboard, cutting it out, then adding some string so you can hang it from your tree
21 – Go for a 10 minute walk and just talk about the week, the year, whatever
20 – Make homemade pizza for dinner
19 – Make a batch of simple lunchbox pikelets together
18 – Write Christmas Cards together
17 – Lie down for 15 minutes together and listen to music – each choose a song, then talk about why you love it
16 – Get some chalk and play hopscotch – seriously, you’ll be amazed how this takes you back to your childhood and how happy you feel
15 – Write letters to each other and put them under the Christmas tree
14 – Prepare a picnic and go to the park or beach for dinner
13 – Make some chocolate together – here’s a simple recipe from The MerryMaker Sisters
12 – Create some Bliss Balls (we call them fun balls) for Christmas Gifts or just for fun – Wholefood Simply has lots of yummy recipes for you to try.
11 – Make bath bombs for Christmas presents
10 – Put on some music loudly and just dance crazily (when we had space, this was one of our kids all time favourite activities)
9 – Cook dinner together or order your favourite take away
8 – Make a big batch of Oh So Versatile Muesli for breakfast or put in smaller jars for Christmas presents
7 – Tonight at dinner, share what you are grateful for
6 – Watch a movie together – everyone choose one, and then pull it out of a hat so it’s fair
5 – Play a board game together (or dress ups if you have younger children)
4 – Make gingerbread biscuits together – here’s a simple recipe from Kidspot – use stars for Xmas if you wish
3 – Go for a bike ride together
2 – Watch a Christmas movie or listen to Christmas Carols
1 – Have a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner at home
Well that’s just made me realise how close Christmas really is. Yikes! Still so much to do. How about you? How are your Christmas or Holiday Season plans going?
Do you have any other ideas to include on an Fun Family Advent Calendar?