Christmas Traditions: Pillowcases

Last year I was inspired by several ideas in the book "Twelve Days of Christmas: Ideas for a More Meaningful Holiday Season." One idea was to give each person a special Christmas pillowcase. I thought, what a wonderful idea but why limit it just to Christmas?!

In my mind I thought as a child, eager and excited to sleep on a special pillowcase only brought out once a year. Something that would remind me of traditions and special celebrations. I want this for my children so slowly this year I have created several pillowcases for Livy. (Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween).

To continue the magic I hope my children feel around the various holidays, I finally made Livy a Christmas pillowcase.

Livy literally couldn't wait to try it out.

On the Fourteenth Day of Christmas

Family Game Night

We love games at our house so it was only natural to include it in our family advent! Livy chose to play Mighty Mind, which is challenging and educational.

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13

On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas

Dance to Christmas Music

Today we had a very simple activity, something that Livy loves to do. (I love how she puts her leg up when she dances. Perhaps she will be my ballerina in the future.)

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12

On the Eleventh & Twelfth Days of Christmas

Decorate Cookies

For Friday's advent, we finally got out of the house and went to a friend's house for a play date. Livy and her friend decorated sugar cookies. I think she preferred eating the frosting than decorating. We had a great time!

A Santa Day!

Saturday was a very special day, filled with two visits with Santa!

One thing that I love about where I live is that during this time of year Santa comes to town to visit the kids. He rides on the back of a fire truck and goes up and down every street. While the siren calls out his arrival, the children gather outside their homes for a chance to wave to Santa and get a special treat.

I was hoping to get a good picture of Santa on the firetruck, but I was too busy waving with Livy. Here you can barely see him on the truck and the people out to meet him.

After our morning visit with Santa, we headed to the city for Eduardo's Lodges Annual Family Christmas Party.

There was plenty of food, crafts and a fun bounce house for the children. And a special visit from Santa.

When Santa entered the room, Livy's face lit up with a huge smile. She quickly got up and ran to give him a hug. Later when he was getting settled she came back to the table where we were crafting, to get an ornament to give to Santa. (I will remember next year not to dress the girls in red when taking pictures with Santa, they blended right into Santa's coat.)

I don't know if Livy was nervous or extra excited to see Santa, but whenever he would ask her a question, Livy would smile (huge grin) and nod her head. He could have asked her anything and she would have agreed to it.

Livy loves Santa. I hope that she will always love him and what he symbolizes; generosity and good will and make that a part of her life.

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

Go to the Holiday Lights display

It is probably safe to say that tonight's activity was one of Livy's favorites. Eight dollars and the warmth of our car, (Which is wonderful considering the COLD temperatures we've been having. It was -14 the other night! Needless to say, I have 2 frozen pipes which hopefully haven't broken.) we drove around and looked at the lights.

Livy excitedly pointed out everything she saw and even made sure she waved to Santa, Snowmen and a Polar Bear.

I love how it's broken up into different areas filled with toy soldiers, flying reindeer, and gingerbread men.

Definitely a place where a child can feel the magic of Christmas. I think this is something that we will do again for our family advent.

What have you done for the holidays?

To see the other activities that we have done to countdown to Christmas: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9