It’s finally here—December 1st! That means it’s officially time to open the first doors, drawers, and pockets of your advent calendars. Whether your countdown includes chocolate, a daily activity, or a crafty surprise, there’s something extra special about this tradition that brings out the childlike joy in all of us.
Nathan and I absolutely love advent calendars… so much so that we have three! Each one brings a different kind of excitement, and together they make every day of December feel festive and fun.
Our Activity Advent Calendar
If you’ve followed along, you know our activity advent calendar is one of our favorites. I plan activities that work no matter how busy we are that day—simple, festive moments that help us slow down and enjoy the season together. This year, I added several new ideas to keep things fun and fresh:
- Enjoy a cup of Christmas Tea
- See how long you can make a candy cane last
- Enjoy roasted marshmallows
- Enjoy a Christmas cocktail
- Slow dance to your favorite Christmas song
- Play Christmas trivia
- Use only Christmas mugs for all of your drinks for an entire day
- Read Twas a Night Before Christmas
- Share a kiss (or two) under the mistletoe
- Watch a Christmas cartoon short
- Go for a holiday walk
- Sing Christmas carols
- Have a glass of eggnog
- Write a letter to Santa
- Have a glass of hot chocolate
- Play a game together
- Enjoy a Christmas cookie
- Color/draw a Christmas picture
- Picnic in front of a Christmas tree
- Snuggle up together and Enjoy a beverage and a little Christmas music
- Pay It Forward/Random act of kindness
- Wear a Santa hat all day
- Write a Christmas wish and hang it on a tree
- Play ‘I spy Christmas’ when out for a walk or drive
- Wear a red and/or green outfit
- Cuddle up and watch a Christmas movie
- Wear Christmas socks
- Work on a Holiday puzzle
- Have an indoor snowball fight with socks
These little moments have become such a meaningful part of our Christmas season. They remind us to pause, notice the joy around us, and make memories in the middle of the holiday rush.
Our Tea Advent Calendar
Our second calendar is a tea advent from Adagio, and we’re so excited to brew a new flavor each day. We always like having at least one advent that gives us a daily treat—last year we enjoyed a delicious chocolate calendar from Norman Love—so this one feels perfectly cozy for the season.
My Stampin’ Up! Craft Advent Calendar
And finally… my craft-loving heart is fully invested in the Stampin’ Up! advent calendar! Each day reveals a fun crafting goodie, and I can’t wait to see what’s inside.
Stampin’ Up! also shares daily unboxing videos on YouTube where they create a project with that day’s item. If you’re a crafter, be sure to follow along—it’s such a fun way to spark creativity all month long.
🎥 Day 1 Unboxing
Its Not To Late! Get yours today!
Wrapping Up the Countdown Kickoff
December 1st always feels like the true start of the season, and advent calendars add a layer of anticipation that makes each day feel magical. Whether you have one or several, the joy is in the little moments—those tiny daily rituals that build excitement and help you savor every bit of Christmas. I hope your advent countdown brings you just as much delight as ours does!
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