Countdown to Christmas

I know. I know. Respect the Turkey, Steph! But I can’t help it! The Christmas songs are blaring on the radio. Decorations are going up. I only have to wait 4 more days until respecting the turkey is over. And then I can get into the holiday spirit! The Christmas Countdown will be under way.

We do a few things in our house to mark off the days and get the kids excited.

First, our Elf on the Shelf, Kevin, brings Advent Calendars with him when he arrives: Lego Star Wars for Ethan and Playmobile for Ben.

Of course, we also have to the traditional chocolate Advent Calendar as well. What better way to start off your day than sugaring up the kids? We also do a Santa Beard that my mother-in-law prints out for the boys. She supplies them with cotton balls and glue sticks. I love this one because I don’t have to do anything!

So let’s see. We open up a toy in the morning. Have a little chocolate. And then glue a cotton ball onto Santa’s beard to countdown the days.

How about adding one more thing into the mix?

For those that like a digital approach to the Christmas Countdown, you’re going to want to check out the very magical countdown to Christmas in The Care Bears Advent calendar app from American Greetings.

It’s packed with all of the fun sights and sounds of the holiday season and children can start the countdown by ‘unlocking’ 25 activities like holiday-themed puzzles, videos, coloring pages and more, returning each day to unlock another activity. Children can design hundreds of snowflakes and create their own white Christmas with the Care-a-Lot Snowflake maker, decorate the Care Bears Christmas tree with special ornaments, and enjoy other wintry fun activities. On Christmas Day, a full-length Care Bears video episode is unlocked!