Celebrating Advent

Advent is the time we  prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas time.   Growing up, we didn't formally celebrate Advent in our home with an Advent wreath, calendar, etc (we really went nuts for the Christmas season though - which I guess is an informal way to give the proverbial nod).  We celebrated it at church - and I wasn't fully aware of the total meaning of it or its history.  I've been wanting to make it a new celebrated tradition in our family.

There are a lot of ways to celebrate Advent and everyone does it a little bit different.  To me, it's all about the excitement and joy of the season, giving to others, and realizing the true meaning of Christmas.

This month, these are some of the things that we've done with the kids to celebrate:

* "Paid it forward" at McDonald's by paying for the vehicle behind us (the last two times!).
*  Trimmed the Christmas tree and decorated the house for the special season.
*  Resolved to make this Advent season a special time of reflection, peace, graciousness, and thankfulness for our many blessings.
*  Purchased boy and girl gifts for needy children and dropped them off at "The Giving Tree", located in a local restaurant.   Ramsey picked out the presents at the store.   He seemed so proud of himself and pleased.
*  Had "Hot Cocoa Night" with the kids.   Connor loves hot chocolate (with a ridiculous amount of marshmallows) and Ramsey hadn't tried it before (loved it! - no marshmallows).  I think he tried it for me because he'd just learned about it in school.

*  Visited Santa and got a nice picture.
* Took Ramsey to the local craft store to pick out special tree ornaments.  Incidentally, out of the thousands he could picked from (Star Wars ones included), he chose three cross ornaments; one that said "Believe", another "Family", and lastly, "Hope".

*  Read Christmas stories and talked about why we celebrate Christmas and what its true meaning is.  (This is more of an ongoing lesson this month.)
*  Picked out toys Ramsey no longer plays with and donated them to Good Will.
*  Made "Lemon Sugar Cookie Whipped Body Butter" for Ramsey's teachers and some family.  (Love how it turned out!)
*  Decorated a gingerbread house (first time ever!)
*  Opened a few presents "early".   Eric insisted on this (he LOVES to give gifts!).
         One evening, after opening an early present, Ramsey claimed he saw Santa outside and was so excited!

Other things we plan to do:
*  Make more gifts for Ramsey's educators (thinking soaps and yummy bubbling body scrubs).
*  Bake and deliver goodies to the local police department, the women's shelter, etc.
*  Create new Christmas ornaments for our tree (and for our family/friends).
*  Bake Christmas cookies and decorate them (need some for Santa too!).
*  Make special "from-the-heart" gifts for grandparents.
*  Take cookies and gifts to neighbors.
*  Road trip to town to see Christmas lights.

We'll continue our celebration of Advent and enjoy these precious times with our family.  We are so blessed!