So, I just haven't been in the Christmas mood lately. We are moving (locally) in 3 weeks and so we are not getting a tree or doing any decorating since we are cleaning things out and packing up. I didn't do cards this year because we are trying to save every penny we can to go towards the move and so we are more focused on needs right now rather than wants. I did get my kids gifts of course plus stocking stuffers (I told the kids we will still use our stockings). Besides that, I have thought of making cookies with them, but what else can I do? We always watch the polar express movie on Christmas eve, so I don't have a lot of ideas. I don't want to do crafts right now either since we are de cluttering and getting rid of a lot so I can pack it all up. So, any ideas? Thanks!
Thanks! Those are all great suggestions. I need to find a good neighborhood to look at lights. We were at a friends house and by the time we got home it was dark out so I was trying to look at some houses that looked good, but I didn't find too many. I'll have to keep looking. Music is a good idea. I do like the idea of a paper tree and just letting the kids decorate it with stickers and stuff. I also made sure I have everything to make the cookies, so we will be baking this week :) Thank you!!
Could you get a tiny tree and make paper ornaments? Then a few days after Christmas just throw the whole thing away? Seems like it'd be nice for the kids to have a tree or something representative in the house to put presents around. If not a tree, a gingerbread house. I know you're decluttering it but it also can be thrown away. Lots of kits on sale now to make one.
I make a thermos of hot chocolate and individual bags of popcorn. We bundle everyone in the car in their pajamas. We drive to a neighorhood reknowned for the Christmas lights. We look at the lights listening to Christmas lights. Everyone always has a good time and it's simple. Good luck.
Go caroling around your neighborhood.
Pack up a thermos of hot cocoa or make popcorn and bundle up and hit the road. Drive around and look at Christmas lights all while listening to Christmas music and singing along.
Play Christmas music in your home...all day long.(mine is on right now as I am puttering around cleaning,on MP and baking) The kids wake up to Christmas music and go to bed to Christmas music...all month long. They love it!
Go to the library and pick out some Christmas stories and read them with the kids every night before bedtime.
Attend church together.
Check out your community calendar of events. There are often Christmas events listed that various churches/organizations are hosting.
Go to the mall and look at decorations and see Santa.
Have your kids draw Christmas cards to their grandparents,aunts, uncles etc.
Bake those cookies with them...then bundle some up and deliver them as a family to a neighbor, elderly person or someone you know who is struggling right now...attach notes of well wishes.
Polar Express on Christmas Eve..but what about finding some other fun Christmas movies to enjoy on a few other nights as well.
Leave some snacks on your lawn for Santa's reindeer. Have the kids get some oats,raisins and put it all in a baggie..then on Christmas Eve go out and sprinkle it on your lawn.
This has been an exceptionally special time for us this year. We have simplified our "to do" lists and are spending more time together as a family and doing things for others..
Good luck with the move...it is a crazy time of the year to be moving a family.
I liked Pam R's suggestion... you could even buy one piece of green posterboard for the tree, cut it out, and let the kids make decorations with glue sticks and colored paper. Even if you only have printer paper and markers...
it's something fun and yes, it will likely get tossed, but it just seems like the kids would really love having some kind of tree.
There was a house fire in my neighborhood 11 days ago. It was an older home split into an upper/lower duplex. Two families have lost their homes and all their belongings, one family even lost their pets.
My neighbor and I have been putting together a fundraiser, on Saturday 12-21, and collecting donations almost since the night of the fire. Our goal is to get enough money for them to have move-in fees and maybe buy some furniture. We have gotten a lot of clothing donations.
As a result my tree and my decorations are still in the boxes in the basement and if I am not too tired on Sunday I will get my tree up. I am hoping to borrow a grandchild to help.
But I am so happy I could help these people it doesn't matter. The holidays are a feeling in your heart not in your decor.
We like to drive around and look at lights
I always liked taking a drive to look at neighborhood Christmas lights. And even if you don't normally attend church go to a Christmas service or concert, THAT should get you in the mood!
If you make cookies take a tray to share with people in the community, like a senior center, homeless shelter, or the fire or police station.
Go sledding
Go ice skating at a local skating rink when they have open skate
Go to church
Visit Santa at the mall
Go Christmas carolling
Put on some Christmas music, and sing along. Make a gingerbread house together, go to a Christmas church service, light the Advent Candles, do some volunteering, visit friends and family, drink egg nog and eat mince pies.
Candace,
http://fairfaxchristmaslights.com/. Holly's Famous sometimes Tacky Lights List! Free! A few homes even have music to go along!
P
Play holiday music in the house.
I love all the look at lights suggestions, and the idea to make a paper, cardboard, or felt tree that can be thrown away after the holiday. Depending on the ages of your kids, a felt tree might be more difficult to rip/shred, can be rolled up small if you want to store it for next year, go into the playroom or kids' bedroom next year, and if you make felt ornaments, they can be put on the tree over and over again and rearranged by the children (I know my boys would love to rearrange the ornaments on our tree constantly). You might also be able to have your kids make the ornaments out of felt as another activity.
I also would like to suggest looking into a local museum or zoo. Most zoos (including the National Zoo) have Christmas lights, just bundle up warmly and make a fun day out of it. Some museums might have special Christmas activities or crafts. I know the Air Force Band recently flash mobbed the National Air and Space Museum. Borrowing some Christmas books from the library is always a fun idea. What about a community concert of some sort or a local tree lighting? I know there's a free community brass concert up by me. Maybe you could sponsor a child from an "Angel Tree" and have the kids help you pick out and wrap gifts for others.
Go for a walk or ride at night and look at holiday lights.
You could drive around looking at xmas displays; sing xmas carols; volunteer at a local shelter.
I really like Nervy Girls suggestion to make a cardboard tree and let the kids make paper ornaments.
We like to go downtown and visit all the hotel lobbies to look at the trees and Christmas decorations. Its free, however, we do have to pay for parking downtown.
Make a gingerbread house with a kit. Simple, fun and festive.
