 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.
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?
 In my house, presents are not placed under the tree until Christmas Eve. I fill the empty space with a new stuffed Christmas creature each year and some empty decorative storage boxes. When I used to place presents under the tree throughout December, I grew tired of my children picking up the wrapped packages and asking me how many days until they could open them. That does not mean that I don’t wrap as early as possible. Once they are covered by paper, I can relax a little more.
Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to lock yourself in a bedroom or private space and get as much wrapping done as possible. For some added fun, call some of the girls over and make it a Gift Wrap Party! Some can wrap and some can accessorize. Be sure to label each present.
How do you handle presents under the tree? When do you begin wrapping presents? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and weigh in.
 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.
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.
 Angel Trees from Prison Fellowship, the red buckets and bell-ringers from The Salvation Army, and Toys for Tots by the Marine Corps are all recognizable symbols of Christmas generosity. The need for kindness and aid to those less fortunate, especially this year, is great.
Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to take part in helping your neighbors. Become a force for good this Christmas. Search out ways to help others. Demonstrate to your children all the ways that Christmas is about giving instead of only getting. The impact of people helping people is for the good of all. Spread the Christmas spirit!
How are you showing kindness this holiday season? What are your favorite charitable organizations? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and join the conversation.
 With just 13 days until Christmas, there is little time to finish your gift-buying or gift-making. You will save yourself time and stress if you don’t wait until the very last minute.
Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to take stock of the gifts that you have and make an executable plan to finish up in the next few days. There is no need to go out searching for presents that are unnecessary or in excess of what you already have. That is a trap that many Americans fall into – continuing to buy when what they already have is plenty. Be sure to stop when you are done.
 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.
 Whether it is something that was assigned here or just something in your own life or family that needs extra attention before the holidays, Saturday’s Weekly Workshop is to the rescue!
 Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to catch up on what you’ve missed here at 100 Days to Christmas. Weekly Workshops offer an opportunity to devote more time to on going projects such as decorating, Christmas cards, gifts, holiday cleaning, and meal preparation. Don’t throw in the towel if you get behind! Use your Saturdays as a chance to get caught up on your holiday
preparation and planning.
Here is a list that you should check twice to make sure you are where you need to be today:
Christmas meal preparation underway
Gifts wrapped
Christmas tree decorated
A wreath or garland made from extra pine boughs
Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us what you are working on today.
 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.
 Going to the grocery store without a list, especially for an important holiday meal, is always a bad idea. But, going early before things start to run out is a very good one.
The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to create your grocery list from the recipes of the dishes you plan to prepare for your Christmas meal. Be sure to include every ingredient that you will need. You don’t want to be stuck without the yams for your sweet potato pie!
 A special Christmas meal is a great way to enjoy the blessings of the season together with family and friends. I personally prepare my family’s big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve. Part of this tradition comes from experiencing a Christmas meal while living in Poland. They ate at the sighting of the first star. There was a lot of candlelight and a lot of food. The other reason for choosing Christmas Eve is because I felt I was missing out on my children’s Christmas fun because I was stuck in the kitchen all day after presents were opened. I prepare a Christmas breakfast casserole or baked French toast on Christmas Eve while I am preparing all of the other dishes and put it in the oven when we get up on Christmas morning. Then when presents are all opened, we sit down for a delicious breakfast. The rest of the day, we enjoy the leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner.
The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to plan out details of Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas breakfast, and/or a Christmas day meal. Create a menu or use ListPlanIt’s Christmas Menu Planner*. Don’t forget to include a main dish, side dishes, bread or rolls, drinks, and of course – a dessert (or two)!
* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook. Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download a Christmas Menu Planner in Holidays & Occasions.
When is your big holiday meal? Do you have a special brunch? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know.
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