100 Days to Christmas » Christmas

Christmas Eve Eve

listmama — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:01:19 +0000

If you’re planning for your Christmas Eve or Christmas day dinner and have pie or bread on the menu, locate your recipes and break out the flour because today is a great day for baking.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to finish the task of baking so that tomorrow can be saved for the busyness that accompanies the day before Christmas. Do whatever can be done today. For a little extra fun, camp out under your Christmas tree tonight in your sleeping bags. Savor the tree and its beautiful decorations and soak up the chance to create new Christmas traditions for your family.

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.

The Goose is Getting Fat

listmama — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:01:11 +0000

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.

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.

Final Advent Preparation

listmama — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:01:05 +0000

Advent calendars abound as many people find Advent a significant part of their holiday celebration. There are so many fun ways to help children and adults keep track in the countdown to Christmas.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to locate the Advent Calendar of your choice and fill it with your preference of treat. Some families use candy or chocolate, some use trinkets, and some use activities as a filler for their Advent Calendar.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your plans for Advent.

Deck the Halls. . .

listmama — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:01:35 +0000

The Christmas season may have already officially begun, but who had time to think about what that really means with Thanksgiving leftovers to finish off and shopping to accomplish.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to begin your Christmas decorating. The time this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas is short, so you want to not only have time to enjoy it fully, but also to get it all up and in order well before you host any parties or get-togethers.

See ListPlanIt’s Christmas Decor Board on Pinterest.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and upload a photo or two of your Christmas decor. Can’t wait to see it!