Fun | 100 Days to Christmas

The Shortest Day

Today, as we scurry around to prepare for Christmas day, it may seem like there is not enough time to accomplish all of the things we want and need to do. Winter Solstice is the beginning of winter and the return of the sun.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to commemorate the [...]

Happy Hanukkah!

Today, after sunset, begins the first day of the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights. It commemorates not only the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, over the Syrians in 165 B.C.E. after they seized control of the holy temple in Jerusalem, but also the subsequent rededication of the Temple. Jews [...]

Christmas Lights & Hot Cocoa

One week from today is Christmas day! After a long week of down-to-the-wire Christmas preparations, it is time to have a holiday evening off with the family.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to tell your family to get in their warm and cozy jammies. While they are doing that, fill a thermos [...]

Old-Fashioned with a Modern Twist

Popcorn strings are a traditional decoration that links your family’s Christmas tree to a simpler time.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to pop a giant bowl of popcorn. This can be cheap and easy by adding a quarter cup of popcorn kernels to a brown paper lunch bag. Fold the top of the bag [...]

Ode to Gingerbread

Gingerbread has long been associated as a winter treat, especially at Christmas-time. European bakers have produced scores of varieties including everything from a hard gingery cookie to a soft gingerbread or ginger cake. People have been using gingerbread to create sweet, elaborate, miniature dwellings since it first arrived in Europe in the 11th century.

The [...]

Christmas Events

December has so many opportunities to stimulate the senses. One of my favorites is attending a live performance such as The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol. Another is taking part in local events such as The Candy Cane Train (a train ride with Santa) or a horse and carriage ride in a nearby village.

Today’s [...]

Gift & Craft Session

Every year, our Advent Calendar has a few days scheduled for crafting gifts. Our handmade ornaments are precious. The napkins we hand stitched are like treasures. The necklaces and bracelets that we designed and lovingly pieced together for grandmothers are still proudly worn.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to peruse the craft and gift ideas [...]

St. Nick’s Day

Happy St. Nicholas Day! Children from around the country and in other parts of the world have put out their boots in hopes of receiving special treats from St. Nick. Each year, I have helped my children write a letter to Santa telling him what they would like for Christmas. Each year, I put the [...]

Shake and Bake

There are so many types of traditional Christmas cookies and so little time, but it is fun to start as soon as possible and bake a variety. Cookies make terrific gifts and last-minute offerings when dropping by to say “Merry Christmas” to a friend. Most cookies freeze well so you can pull them out when [...]

Carols & Jingle Bells

I love Christmas music. If I can hold off pulling out my Christmas music until the first of December, then today is the day that I can finally enjoy my “Holly Jolly Christmas”.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to locate your Christmas music and embrace the Christmas spirit. Gather a group of friends, warm [...]