100 Days to Christmas » Fun

The Shortest Day

listmama — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:01:25 +0000

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 shortest day of the year by gathering around a fire or lighting some candles. One of my favorite activities on this day is to read The Night Tree by Eve Bunting with my family. A new tradition for us is that we dry out our Christmas tree from the previous year and store the dried branches. Then, we bundle up on Winter Solstice and go out after dark for a bonfire.

In what ways do you welcome the return of the sun? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page to tell us your family’s plans or traditions.

Happy Hanukkah!

listmama — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:59:08 +0000

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 celebrate with eight nights of traditions including the lighting of the menorah, the exchange of gifts, and treats cooked in oil.*

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to embrace an opportunity to have a new cultural experience. Prepare some potato pancakes or latkes (a traditional Hanukkah dish) for dinner. Serve them with applesauce on top or on the side. Your family will love them!

* From What is Hanukkah at about.com

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us how you celebrated Hanukkah today.

Christmas Lights & Hot Cocoa

listmama — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:01:45 +0000

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 with some hot chocolate. Pack your thermos and enough mugs for everyone and head out to drive around and check out the Christmas lights. Sing Christmas carols, sip hot chocolate (but not too hot), and enjoy the sights of the season.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your favorite outdoor Christmas decorations. Do they involve synchronized blinking lights set to music? Ours do.

Old-Fashioned with a Modern Twist

listmama — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:01:45 +0000

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 over two or three times and then microwave for about two minutes. Using a quilting needle and a heavy-duty string, begin to thread kernels one by one onto the string. I would suggest putting one person on each end of the string to finish faster. Keep popping until you can string enough to make a nice garland for your tree. Pop extra for your family’s movie night and add the topping of your choice.

List of Favorite Christmas Movies for Your Family Movie Night

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us what you and/or your family are watching tonight. Which Christmas movies are your favorites?

Ode to Gingerbread

listmama — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:01:47 +0000

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 Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to renew your appreciation for gingerbread. Whether you bake a batch of gingerbread cookies (try this Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookie recipe from AllRecipes.com), a moist gingerbread cake, or the walls and roof of a gingerbread house, have fun with this delicious activity.

List of Ingredients for Building a Gingerbread House

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your family’s favorite gingerbread recipe. Post a photo of this year’s gingerbread house.

Christmas Events

listmama — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:01:50 +0000

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 Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to find a Christmas happening in your town or area and make every attempt to attend. Find an event that is child-friendly and take the entire family, or find a babysitter and make it an adults-only affair.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your plans for a Christmas event this December.

Gift & Craft Session

listmama — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:01:09 +0000

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 that you had earmarked in October, set out your supplies so they are accessible, and gather the family around the table for some good, creative fun. When you are finished, you may have some new family treasures for your collection.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us what crafts and handmade gifts you’ve been working on.

St. Nick’s Day

listmama — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:01:14 +0000

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 letters in an envelope and tell the children that I will be mailing their letters at the post office, but instead, I tuck away that envelope in a folder in my holiday planner. And each year, I get out the previous letters to Santa and read through them and marvel at how much my children have changed. I used to write my oldest daughter’s letters for her and just let her “write” on the page after I was done. Now, she writes her own letters in a very neat, nine-year-old hand. These letters have become treasures.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to talk to your children about Christmas traditions from other countries and cultures. There are so many rich traditions and special rituals celebrated throughout the month of December. Also, help young children write letters to Santa. Big kids can write the letters on holiday stationery to dress them up. Have your child draw a picture of Santa or of the presents they would like. Not only will it help you know what to buy for Christmas, but it is a living piece of your holiday memories.

Do you celebrate St. Nick’s Day? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and share your stories.

Shake and Bake

listmama — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:01:42 +0000

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 you need them.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to put on some of your favorite Christmas music, gather your ingredients, mixing bowls, spatulas and stirring spoons, and any children you might have in your home for some cookie-baking fun!

List of Steps to a Successful Holiday Cookie Exchange

Have you ever been to or hosted a cookie exchange? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorite experiences.

Carols & Jingle Bells

listmama — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:01:13 +0000

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 up your vocal chords, and head out to sing carols in the neighborhood. You could also visit a nursing home and spread some Christmas cheer to those who can’t get out easily.

List of Favorite Christmas Songs

See ListPlanIt’s Christmas Music Board on Pinterest.

What songs do you like to “rock around the Christmas tree” to? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorites.