Counting Down to Christmas

 

 

We at Kinder Buddies Oakville Child Care are so excited for the Holiday Season. No matter what you celebrate December is packed full of fun an family centred holidays. Christmas is especially magical for children and counting down the days to Christmas is a long held tradition. Today we talk about different and fun ways to count down to Christmas!

A Book a Day

 

A cute idea that has been floating around is wrapping up 25 books and putting them under the tree. Every night have your child pick one book to open and read before bed. Buying 25 new books is a pretty heavy investment so instead try borrowing extra books from the library and wrapping pre-existing books. The excitement of opening a present and the family time is the real gift. Here are some great Christmas related books you may want to slip in:

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss 
• Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
• Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
• Merry Christmas Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer
• Paw Patrol: The Night Before Christmas by Nickelodeon 
• A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

Family Night Christmas Movie

 

If you already have a Family Night each week add a bit of seasonal excitement by watching a Christmas movie every week leading up to Christmas. Some great movies that should be on your list:

• The Grinch who Stole Christmas
• Elf
• Polar Express
• The Santa Clause
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• A Charlie Brown Christmas 

 

Advent Calendar

 

The most common tradition for counting down the days is an Advent Calendar! You can purchase Advent Calender’s filled with Chocolates from almost any grocery store. If you are crafty there are many ways to wrap small individual gifts for each night. Some ideas for Advent Calendar Gifts:

• Toy Animals
• A new ornament for the Christmas Tree
• Candy or a baked sweet
• Funky new socks

Decorate the Christmas Tree

 

Decorating the house and Christmas Tree is so much fun it’s too bad it’s over in one day! Instead when you set up your tree, the garland, and the lights, have your kids put up 1 ornament every night. By Christmas day your Tree will be full and you can extend the fun of decorating for Christmas.

 

Another fun tradition to go hand in hand with this fun count down idea is to give a new ornament as a Christmas Present each year. These ornaments can reflect the receivers personality. Good at crafts? Create a craft night every year and decorate your own ornaments!

Random Acts of Kindness

 

The best part about Christmas is that it is a holiday not only for receiving, but mostly for giving and charity. Coffee Cups and Crayons has put together a great printable calendar with random acts of kindness that kids can complete. Here are some more ideas:

• Write a kind letter to someone telling them what you like about them.
• Bake cookies for your neighbours
• Compliment someone
• Hold the door for someone

 

How is your family celebrating this season?

 

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Kinder Buddies is a Quality First Daycare and Infant Care facility in Oakville, Ontario. We take care of children from the age of 6 weeks to 5 1/2 providing nutritious meals and fun activities all day long.