I spent a lovely weekend refining this season’s advent calendar. Unlike one purchased from a grocery store, chalk-full of chocolates, treats, or tiny trinkets, mine is of the free and freeing variety. I have loved the challenge of creating a frugal holiday season for years now and once before published an advent calendar idea in this space. Instead of items, my calendar is self-made and filled with activities. More specifically… it’s a collection of errands focused on slowing down. I call it an ode to ending the year just right. In an effort to avoid the bustle that sweeps away our last few months from us (poof! there it goes again!), I created a list of things I want to ensure I do before the year’s end. Consider it a dedication to standing by how we as a family want to live our lives.
This year’s advent calendar looks a bit like this:
- Jacuzzi dip on a cold winter evening.
- Bake rice crispy treats for nostalgia’s sake.
- Head to the Hilltop Hangout to celebrate with neighbors and food trucks.
- Do a pre-work bagel run with Mikey.
- Check out the Holiday Market in Lights. See what the local artists are selling, listen to the carolers and consume wild amounts of hot cocoa and donuts.
- Make peppermint syrup.
- Watch an old Christmas movie and pop some corn.
- Play a boardgame by the tree.
- Pick oranges from the groves and make orange ornaments out of them.
- Attend a friend’s holiday party.
- View the local holiday lights while sipping on hot chocolate.
- Order to-go dinner on a busy weeknight and eat by candlelight.
- Make holiday themed pancakes.
- Decorate a gingerbread house.
- Do a family hike or some other outdoor activity.
- Christmas gathering with my side of the family.
- Bake cinnamon rolls.
- Make cookies for the neighbors.
- Deliver said cookies.
- Puzzle party in pajamas.
- Get a spa treatment with a friend.
- Turn up the records.
- Schedule a breakfast pastry and coffee gathering at our house.
- Call my sister and parents who will be in Spain for Christmas.
